Problems continue over Kosovo’s independence

“The process of [Kosovo’s] recognition is advancing much more slowly than was expected. The Security Council is split over the issue,” Lamberto Zannier, the UN’s Special Representative for Kosovo told RT on Thursday.

According to Zannier, the United Nations’ Secretary General had to step in with initiatives that could facilitate the deployment of the EU mission and reconfiguration of UNMIK (United Nation’s Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) as part of a broader dialogue with Belgrade.

The head of the UNMIK also said many problems still remain on the ground today – more than a year since Kosovo declared its independence.

“Our success so far is that we have certainly contributed to maintaining a satisfactory level of security and stability on the ground,” he said. However, Zannier continued, “the relations between the communities are still complex.”

During his visit to Moscow, the head of the United Nations’ mission in Kosovo met senior officials of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, including Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Titov.

Following the meeting, the Ministry announced its position concerning the present state of affairs regarding the recognition of Kosovo:

“We have discussed the situation in Kosovo after Prishtina unilaterally declared its independence, in defiance of the UN Security Council’s resolution 1244. The Russian side has pointed out that stability in the region can only be achieved on the basis of strict implementation of this basic document and the leading role of the UN Security Council.”