Head of OSCE Kosovo Mission calls for progress in democracy-building in 2003
(Lubomir Kotek/OSCE)Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Pascal Fieschi of France, speaking at a press conference. (Lubomir Kotek/OSCE) Photo details
PRISTINA, 30 December 2002 - Ambassador Pascal Fieschi, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, today called on the province's political leaders to show courage and participate fully in the democratization and reconciliation process in Kosovo.
"Without a strong commitment and determination for reconciliation within all the communities and across ethnic lines, Kosovo can make no progress for the daily lives of ordinary people", Ambassador Fieschi said in his New Year message. "At the start of 2003 it is my strong belief that the Kosovo political leadership must take challenging and courageous steps."
"Democracy means that basic rights have to be fully respected. And it is a basic right for everyone to live in his or her own home. For too many people of Kosovo this is sadly not the case today. This humanitarian crisis has to be reduced considerably during the coming year."
Recalling the recent decision by the European Union to admit 10 new members, Ambassador Fieschi said that EU enlargement also provided reason for optimism for south-eastern Europe. "There is a road ahead for Kosovo to be a part of the greater European family", he said. "My optimism is based on the strong conviction that the people of Kosovo will do what they have to do to walk that road."
"Without a strong commitment and determination for reconciliation within all the communities and across ethnic lines, Kosovo can make no progress for the daily lives of ordinary people", Ambassador Fieschi said in his New Year message. "At the start of 2003 it is my strong belief that the Kosovo political leadership must take challenging and courageous steps."
"Democracy means that basic rights have to be fully respected. And it is a basic right for everyone to live in his or her own home. For too many people of Kosovo this is sadly not the case today. This humanitarian crisis has to be reduced considerably during the coming year."
Recalling the recent decision by the European Union to admit 10 new members, Ambassador Fieschi said that EU enlargement also provided reason for optimism for south-eastern Europe. "There is a road ahead for Kosovo to be a part of the greater European family", he said. "My optimism is based on the strong conviction that the people of Kosovo will do what they have to do to walk that road."