Ziadeh: It is necessary to reduce the level of mistrust and inflammatory rhetoric

At the United Nations Security Council session on Kosovo, the head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh, called on the parties involved in the negotiations to raise the level of trust and added that steps had to be taken to ensure that the police and judiciary were completely isolated from political influence.

"It is necessary to reduce the level of mistrust and incendiary rhetoric," the representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo said, at the session of the UN Security Council where the situation in Kosovo was discussed.

Ziaded announced that a step forward could be the signing of the Joint Declaration on Missing Persons.

"This would give families on both sides a chance for answers about their loved ones," she said.

She also called for "a thorough consideration of the Draft Statute of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities".

This session is on the day of the anniversary of several important events, including the summit in Thessaloniki, which outlined the European future of the Western Balkans exactly 20 years ago, and ten years after the first agreement in Brussels.

"Actions and reactions dragged Pristina and Belgrade further from the planned path. This is something that the leaders must change," Ziadeh said.

She warned of the frustration among citizens, caused by an uncertain future, and stated that the UN would stand on the side of those who wanted a brighter and sustainable future.

"Continuously focusing attention on the principles and declarations that were jointly confirmed on February 27 in Brussels, and further elaborated on March 18 in Ohrid, should be accompanied by courageous leadership," Ziadeh pointed out.

She also encouraged leaders to communicate clearly and continuously with citizens on issues that affect life, including the impartiality of judicial institutions and the protection of human rights.

She emphasized that clear and continuous communication with the public was needed regarding issues that affected their lives and human rights.

"These are issues such as property expropriation, as well as the possibility of counting on impartial judicial institutions. It is necessary to reduce the mistrust and uncertainty felt by ordinary residents on both sides of the Ibar River. Accusatory rhetoric should be avoided, and fears should be replaced with concrete reasons for trust and optimism," Ziadeh said.

The head of UNMIK also mentioned the "peaceful implementation of extraordinary elections on April 23" in the north of Kosovo. At the same time, she said that issues of representation should be addressed and called on elected leaders and institutions to fulfill the interests of the population.