SG: Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister.
First, let me say it is a great pleasure for me to be back in your great country. As you may know, I served as the Republic of Korea's ambassador to this great country during 1998 and 1999. During that time, I have visited many times your country, and even as Foreign Minister, I once visited your country.
This is my first time to visit your country in my capacity as Secretary-General of the United Nations, and I had a very constructive meeting with the Prime Minister on a number of issues pertaining to the close partnership and cooperation between the United Nations and Slovenia.
I am also very happy to see Slovenia taking THE Presidency of the European Union. Slovenia is the first among the newly admitted EU members to take charge of the Presidency. It is a significant achievement on your part, and I congratulate you on such a development and the enhancement of your status in the international community. I will assure you that I will closely coordinate and cooperate with your Government and Prime Minister Janez Jan?a in carrying out and in addressing many important issues, including global issues like climate change and the Millennium Development Goals, and also other regional issues, just as the Prime Minister said –on the Balkans, Darfur, Lebanon, the Middle East and many other issues.
My visit also testifies to Slovenia's growing influence in the world. I have found Slovenia to have a reach far greater than its size. Your peacekeepers have distinguished themselves in Eastern Europe, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Iraq. Last year, more than eighteen percent of Slovenia's armed forces took part in UN Security Council-mandated missions. And Slovenia has become a crucial partner in helping the western Balkans on their path to peace and prosperity. You have already served a successful term on the UN Security Council. You are a vocal member of the new Human Rights Council. Your diplomats too, starting with President [Danilo] Tûrk, with whom I have closely worked at the United Nations, and Ambassador [Sanja] ?tiglic –all your distinguished diplomats have built formidable reputations in the international community. In every UN forum they have proved a source of creative ideas and a strong voice for UN reform and progress.
Above all, this is a special moment as Slovenia's leadership is amplified by holding the EU presidency. In that regard, I would like to commend your Government and people for identifying global concerns as priorities for its EU Presidency –such as climate change and intercultural dialogue. Deep and constructive relations between the United Nations and the European Union are key to our collective efforts for peace and security, development and human rights around the world. I was joined last week by President Tûrk in Madrid for the inaugural forum of the Alliance of Civilizations, an initiative that aims to bridge the growing gap between the peoples of the world. In this, also, Slovenia has an important role to play. All in all, I am very happy again, and I look forward to the great leadership of Slovenia, and Prime Minister Janez Jan?a in leading all the important issues, and I am very happy to work with you, and I will be very happy to answer your questions.
Q: Mr. Ban Ki-moon, I would like to ask you whether you support the European Union's planned civil mission to Kosovo, and how do you plan to deal with Kosovo independence if it comes to that, and if some countries recognize Kosovo and some don't?
SG: One of the main subjects of my constructive discussions with the Prime Minister was, of course, the situation in Kosovo. We are both concerned that no compromise solution has been reached among the parties concerned, particularly on the future status of Kosovo. However, it is not likely that the status quo is sustainable. If the impasse continues, we could face a situation in which events on the ground take on a momentum or its own dynamics, to a direction where we might not want to happen. I have expressed my concern about the fact that the Security Council still remains deeply divided on the way forward on Kosovo. This is dangerous for the situation in Kosovo. In the weeks and months ahead, whatever the options may be, my paramount concerns will be to protect lives, to uphold international peace and security, and overall stability in Kosovo, to ensure the safety and security of UN staff, and legacy, as well as the achievement of the United Nations as an international institution. I will very closely coordinate with the Prime Minister and other members of the European Union.
Q: Staying with Kosovo, Secretary-General, could you please explain to us, do you consider like most NATO member states, that UN Security [Council] resolution 1244 remains valid, even if Kosovo declares independence? Do you share this view, because you said that your primary concern is to uphold stability and to protect lives, and that I guess includes a NATO presence?
SG: I will assess the situation as the situation develops in the future. As far as the legal interpretation, or legal mandate, is concerned, under Security Council resolution 1244, concerning the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, I will have to closely consider and examine the legal implications of this, and therefore I am not at this time in a position to say any definitive answer. I hope you will understand.
Q: First, I would like to know, are you planning on publicly inviting the European Union to take over the mission in Kosovo from the United Nations, and also are you in favour of sending the European Union mission to Kosovo before or after the declaration of independence by Pristina?
SG: For all the options, I will have to closely and carefully assess the situation as it develops. In my latest report to the United Nations Security Council, I have taken note of the intention of the European Union to deploy a European mission in Kosovo. My responsibility as Secretary-General of the United Nations, as I have just said, is to preserve peace and stability in the region, and I will take necessary measures in close coordination with the countries and parties concerned on this matter. However at this time, I will have to still assess the situation.
Q: Under Resolution 1244, how much, after your discussions especially, how much flexibility do you see there for the EU to deploy its justice mission to Kosovo?
SG: I hope you will understand this situation. There may be two aspects –the legal aspect, as well as the political aspect - political and security. As everybody will agree, if this impasses continues, the situation may take its own dynamics towards the direction where everybody will not want to see happen. This will be very dangerous. As Secretary-General of the United Nations, I have the responsibility and duty to preserve the situation, and maintain peace. Now, the positions of the parties concerned are diametrically opposed and it has become a very sensitive issue, and I still have to go through a careful analysis of the legal implications, as well as the political and security implications on this, and on the basis of the assessment as the situation develops I will take the necessary measures in close coordination with the European Union and other parties concerned.