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Statement on the situation in Kosovo

Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on the Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo

Thank you, Madam President.

We thank SRSG and Head of UNMIK Caroline Ziadeh for her briefing.

We also welcome Minister Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz and Minister Marko Đurić in the Chamber today.

At the outset we also want to commend Eulex and Kfor for their contributions to peace and stability in Kosovo. 

Madam President,

I will resume where I left off in April briefing on UNMIK, focusing on key areas where we believe Serbia and Kosovo, as well as the Council could concentrate its efforts.

Member states of the United Nations have just adopted the Pact for the Future. Maybe Serbia and Kosovo could also reflect on their own Pact for the Future through a sincere commitment to peaceful coexistence, to reinvigoration of the EU-facilitated Dialogue, and through advancement of normalization of relations.

We are not encouraged by what we have heard today. But we will continue to hope and to try.

2025 could, should represent a fresh start and an opportunity for the reinvigorated dialogue. The dialogue that would see all its agreements implemented and final agreement on normalization reached.

Madam President,

Against this background, I would like to make three points:

First, Slovenia firmly believes that mutual acceptance and peaceful coexistence is the only viable option for lasting stability in the region.

Acceptance and coexistence of Serbia and Kosovo.

Acceptance and coexistence of Albanians and Serbs within Kosovo.

Mutual acceptance and peaceful coexistence means Serbs in Kosovo and especially in the North feeling safe and secure in continuing to nourish their identity and their way of life among the Kosovo majority. 

Mutual acceptance and peaceful coexistence means Serbia seeing its community in Kosovo protected so that they won’t feel guests in their own house.

In this context, Slovenia emphasizes the need for progress regarding the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities.

Mutual acceptance and peaceful coexistence means Kosovo breaking out of international isolation and integrating all its communities politically, legally and socially under the Kosovo laws.

This is a premise on which the EU facilitated dialogue and agreements have been based on. And they still remain relevant goals of the dialogue today.

Madam President,

The second point is the need for stronger commitment of leaders in Belgrade and Pristina to implement several agreements reached so far through the EU-facilitated dialogue, especially the Brussels Agreement from 2013 and its Ohrid Annex from 2023.  In their entirety.

Serbia and Kosovo have been able to compromise and to take difficult decisions to ease people’s lives.

We welcome positive steps, mentioned in the Secretary-General’s Report, such as the official registration of the property of Visoki Dačani Monastery and the issuance of driving licenses in the North. Or recent decision to lift the ban on Serbian goods, which in return allowed Kosovo to represent itself independently in CEFTA.  

Madam President,

My third point is about unilateral actions and derogatory rhetoric.

Unilateral and surprise actions, even when taken in line with the rule of law, heighten tensions, unravel trust, and pose a risk of escalation. We have seen too much of these actions in the past period. They don’t help with community integration processes and they should be avoided.  

However, upholding the rule of law is crucial. In this context, we urge Serbia to collaborate in pursuing justice for the attack in Banjska last year.  

A word also about derogatory rhetoric. We continue to believe that it should be avoided in bilateral communications as well as here in the Council Chamber if we are to hope to build a better future for all in Kosovo.  

Madam President,

In conclusion, the recently adopted UN Pact for the Future, especially the Declaration on Future Generations, can inspire UNMIK’s work. By promoting cultural diversity, preserving heritage, enhancing educational and professional mobility, encouraging digital transformation and innovation, and promoting a green economy, Kosovo’s youth of all communities can be empowered to drive positive change, together.

We welcome UNMIK’s support for the Barabar Centre in Pristina, which promotes interethnic dialogue and social and cultural interactions among diverse communities.

Finally, as I highlighted in my April briefing, the path to lasting peace and coexistence cannot be built on zero-sum game or short-lived victories. Actual progress requires commitment and compromise. The sooner all parties recognize this, the sooner Kosovo communities will live in stability and prosperity.

Thank you.

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