UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated on Tuesday that the UN mission in Kosovo, or UNMIK, awill continue to operate in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1244.
"Following Kosovo's declaration of independence, UNMIK continues to operate on the understanding that resolution 1244 (1999) remains in force, unless the Security Council decides otherwise," Ban said in his latest report on the work of UNMIK to the Security Council.
The secretary-general said Kosovo's declaration of independence and subsequent events have posed significant challenges to UNMIK's ability to exercise its administrative authority in Kosovo.
"The evolving reality in Kosovo is likely to have significant operational implications for UNMIK," he said. "Pending Security Council guidance, there might be a need for UNMIK to adjust its operational deployment to developments and changes on the ground in a manner consistent with the operational framework established under resolution 1244," he said.
The UN chief said despite "a number of serious security incidents," the overall security situation in Kosovo in recent months "remained calm though tense."
But he stressed that any violence, whether directed at UNMIK personnel or facilities or against members of any of Kosovo's communities, is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
In that context, he urges all sides to reaffirm and act upon their commitments to refrain from any actions or statements that could endanger peace, lead to violence or jeopardize security in Kosovo and the region.
He concluded by saying that the UN's efforts in Kosovo are aimed at ensuring that the political and security situation in Kosovo and the wider region remains stable, and that the safety and security of the population are preserved.
Adopted in June 1999, resolution 1244 recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and puts the breakaway province under UN administration. Source:Xinhua
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