PRESS STATEMENT ON KOSOVO, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA, BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

PRESS STATEMENT ON KOSOVO, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA,

BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is today’s press statement on Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, by Mignonette Patricia Durrant (Jamaica), President of the Security Council:

The members of the Security Council welcomed the elections on 17 November 2001 in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which took place in peaceful and orderly conditions, and with a good turnout in all communities, including in the minority communities.  An important step has been made in the implementation of resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999.  The elections will enable the establishment of democratic self-governing institutions, as specified in the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government.

The members of the Security Council commended the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Hans Haekkerup, the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and all those who contributed to the successful conduct of these elections.

The members of the Security Council recalled the responsibility of Kosovo’s elected leaders and all concerned to respect fully all the provisions of resolution 1244 (1999), in particular the final status provisions, and to comply with the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government.  Full respect for resolution 1244 (1999) will contribute to building a democratic, pluralist and prosperous future for all the communities of Kosovo.  Stability in South-East Europe will also be strengthened.

* *** *