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Thank you Mr. President,
We thank Special Representative Farid Zarif for his briefing.
We also thank Prime Minister Ivica Dacic of Serbia and Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaci for their statements. We commend their determined efforts to move the two sides closer to a negotiated solution and achieve sustainable peace in the region.
Violence in local elections in northern Kosovo held on 3 November was worrisome. We welcomed the Kosovo Government's decision to annul the results of these polls.
While the re-run on 17 November was not marred by violence, low voter turnout was a cause of concern. We call on those who boycotted the elections to join the political process. Participating in the elections would have been a better way for them to secure their rights.
Despite challenges, the two sides have maintained the political momentum and have made tangible progress towards the implementation of the Framework Agreement of April 19 and the Implementation Plan of May 22.
Continued engagement of the two Prime Ministers, who met four times during the current reporting period, played a key role in facilitating the process.
The two sides have reached agreements on telecommunications and energy. They have also agreed on handling long-term cooperation in the energy sector at a later stage.
We note that progress has also been made in other key areas including police and the judiciary as agreed in the Framework Agreement. It is expected that two further draft laws foreseen in the agreement -- a Law on Local Self-government and a Law on the Rights of Communities, which are under consideration in the Kosovo Assembly - would be passed before the end of the year.
The report of the Secretary-General notes that the overall security situation in Kosovo remained generally calm, with occasional incidents reported in ethnically mixed areas. This is encouraging.
The number of reported incidents against minority communities has declined. To us, all sides seem to be demonstrating an increased commitment to prevent tensions to enable the high-level dialogue and implementation process to move forward.
These are all encouraging signs, which prove that when the leadership is determined, serious obstacles can be overcome.
As the two Prime Ministers indicated in their detailed interventions today, there are many problems that need to be resolved. What is most important is building and sustaining mutual trust, so that the political engagement does not falter.
We acknowledge the vital role of High Representative Catherine Ashton and the European Union. Both remain indispensable to the dialogue process.
UNMIK, under the leadership of Special Representative Zarif, continues to play a critical role for the stabilization of Kosovo.
Finally, I would like to wish both Prime Ministers success in the difficult road ahead. They have broken fresh diplomatic ground. They must take it to its logical conclusion. We are confident that with commitment and dedication, conditions of peace, stability and prosperity would be created in Kosovo the near future.
I thank you.