Minority Rights Protection and Human Rights Policies in ... - IFSH

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Avni Arifi, Political Adviser to the Prime Minister of Kosovo Mr. Rexhaj said that every status will create dangerous outcome. He exemplified Bosnia and Herzegovina as an example where the peace process was based on Dayton agreement. Some lessons are also possible for Kosovo: If the status is determined, decisions about the future also can be made. Mr. Rexhaj stressed that the last open question in Kosovo is the due handover of Mladic to the ICTY. After his statement Mr. Rexhaj was asked a question about the strength of international community considering nationalistic spirit of the government in Belgrade. Mr. Rexhaj said that Kosovo is a unique case. Russia fears that independence of Kosovo will cause instability within its borders, but the other members of the Contact Group don’t share this opinion. International community made clear that any changing of borders won’t be accepted. The second question was whether OSCE has any strategy if the locals won’t accept the proposals of the Contact Group. Answering this question, Mr. Rexhaj emphasized that first, OSCE doesn’t participate in the talks of the Contact Group and, second, the organization doesn’t have any preferences for outcome. This chapter should be closed, because it is important for the development of Kosovo and other states. If the result will be an independency, it would create the situation the Serb minorities don’t agree to. It’s not an overnight thing in any case. Decisions on Balkan region should also be acceptable for Kosovo, but joining of Kosovo to any other part or the status quo of 1999 won’t be accepted. Mr. Rexhaj, like Ambassador Wnendt, is confident that the solution of the status question won’t be accompanied by violent actions. It’s not easy to implement a policy but strong regional efforts of all Balkan countries are hoped for. 6
Wolfgang Koeth, Political Advisor at European Commission Liaison Office After Mr. Rexhaj, Wolfgang Koeth took the floor and opened his view on the future status of Kosovo. He said that some standards should be implemented before the status is determined, namely democratic institutions with rule of law should be established. The real rebuilding the life of the people should be started. Status is very important for the people also for economic reasons. There are many opportunities for investment in Kosovo, so next year the international tender is expected to supply electricity for the whole region. But foreign investments are not possible without stability. Mr. Koeth also said that all the positions should be transferred to the Kosovars, separation of Kosovo is not acceptable and that particular solution should be found to the especially problematic North of Kosovo. Mr. Koeth was asked a question about the connection between internal development of Serbia and Kosovo issue. Mr. Koeth is of the opinion that Serbia is going to start the process of democratization, but it can’t move on with Kosovo. The only group who can bring democracy to Serbia is Serbs themselves; international community can only render assistance. Kosovo remote from Serbia will not only help Kosovo, but will be profitable for Serbia itself. On the question about the meaning of “limited independence” for Kosovo proposed by Marti Ahtisaari, Mr. Koeth said that Kosovo will have military and governmental responsibilities, but any kind of full sovereignty will be excluded. Further Mr. Koeth spoke about the relations between the EU and Kosovo. He said that a two-fold approach can be distinguished: 1) Kosovo treated as a future member of the EU and 2) EU as a part of international presence after UNMIK is gone. Addressing the first approach he cited the Article 49 of the EU Treaty stating that any European State may apply to become a member of the Union. Therefore all Balkan countries can be considered potential candidates. The problem with Kosovo is that it is not a state. On the other hand it is not desirable Kosovo being a black hole in Balkans. Kosovo can be a potential member regardless of status it will have. Second, in order to become a member of the EU Copenhagen criteria should be fulfilled. The Balkan states are working in that direction with support of the Stabilisation and Association Process, in which also Kosovo is included. The other problem for Kosovo is that conditions for the fulfillment the standards are limited since Kosovo is not and will not be sovereign. The competencies in rule of law are still under the UNMIK responsibility. Regarding the second approach Mr. Koeth said that the EU presence after UNMIK will first of all concentrate on minority protection and rule of law issues. The presence will only have some limited executive powers lasting a few years. 7
Page 1 and 2: Minority Rights Protection and Huma
Page 3 and 4: Programme of the Workshop 23. - 26.
Page 5: Thursday, 23 November 2006 Briefing
Page 9 and 10: The primary objectives of the Centr
Page 11 and 12: a witness in a small area like Koso
Page 13 and 14: Julie Chadbourne, International Hel
Page 15 and 16: started with the NGO panel. Represe
Page 17 and 18: Concerning nominal participation, D
Page 19 and 20: Denis Gratz missed a feeling of com
Page 21 and 22: towards the improvement of the inte
Page 23 and 24: Elena Kulipanova, M.P.S. candidate
Page 25 and 26: which it approves, by majority vote
Page 27 and 28: town of Prizren has a population of
Page 29 and 30: Captain Rauer, CIMIC Coy Orahovac C
Page 31 and 32: Following this briefing, the group
Page 33 and 34: Finally the group would like to tha
Page 35 and 36: Bec Neumann, Janja, Prof. PhD Natio
Page 37 and 38: Engelmann, Holger Nationality Germa
Page 39 and 40: Ivkovic, Marko Nationality Monteneg
Page 41 and 42: Kulipanowa, Elena Nationality Kazak
Page 43 and 44: Neziri, Jeton Nationality Macedonia
Page 45 and 46: Seferi, Mentor Nationality Kosovar
Page 47 and 48: Suljagic, Emir Nationality Bosnian

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