HomeNews / DocumentsMalaysia's StatementsMalaysia's Statements 201629 FEBRUARY 2016 - STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR RAMLAN IBRAHIM PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THE UN INTERIM ADMINISTRATION MISSION IN KOSOVO (UNMIK), NEW YORK

29 FEBRUARY 2016 - STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR RAMLAN IBRAHIM PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THE UN INTERIM ADMINISTRATION MISSION IN KOSOVO (UNMIK), NEW YORK

 

1. My delegation welcomes First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Serbia Ivica Dačić, and Ambassador Vlora Çitaku of Kosovo, back to New York, and thank them both for their statements.


2. We are also grateful to Special Representative Zahir Tanin for his comprehensive briefing.


3. Listening to the statements today, I wish to call on both sides to focus on the way forward. Priority should be given in implementing outstanding commitments, in the spirit of dialogue, cooperation and constructive engagement, rather than engaging in a blame-game, which will not help to build confidence and trust between the two sides.


4. We appreciate the assurances given by Belgrade and Pristina to remain committed to the EU-facilitated dialogue and we hope to see the intensification of efforts towards implementing existing agreements.


Mr. President,


5. As elaborated by Mr. Tanin today, and the Secretary-General in his latest report, I share their concerns on the violent protests by the oppositions and their supporters in Kosovo, who are against the August 2015 package of agreements between Belgrade and Pristina, and the territorial delineation agreement with Montenegro.


6. We call on the relevant parties in Kosovo to cease violence and inflammatory rhetoric and to resolve their differences through legitimate channels, via dialogue and engagement.


7. The Kosovo Parliament and the rule of law must be respected. Resorting to violence and intimidation will not bring the parties any closer to their political aims. Instead, it may delegitimise their struggle and derail the democratic progress painstakingly built by Kosovo over the years.


8. We commend the commitment and efforts made by Kosovo leaders to engage in an inclusive dialogue to resolve the issue, and we applaud the competence and restraint shown by the Kosovo police in responding to the violent protests.


Mr. President,


9. Malaysia is pleased with the progress made by Kosovo during the reporting period, including the signing and subsequent ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU. We believe it is a key step towards peace, stability and prosperity for Kosovo and the region.


10. We call on the leaders of Kosovo to remain steadfast in implementing the Stabilization and Association Agreement and the necessary socio-economic reforms towards regional integration.


11. We also take note of the developments made in the implementation of the 2013 Brussels Agreement, including the integration of former Serbian civil protection personnel in northern Kosovo into various Kosovo institutions.


12. We hope to see more progress made in the implementation of this landmark agreement, including the integration of the judiciary and the creation of an Association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo.


Mr. President,


13. The advancement made by Kosovo relating to the establishment of the Specialist Chambers, is yet another step in the right direction. Malaysia reiterates the need to ensure accountability and promote closure and reconciliation for the people of Kosovo.


14. In this regard, we commend the decision by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to host the Specialist Chambers.


15. On the economic front, Malaysia applauds the cooperation between the Belgrade and Pristina Chambers of Commerce during the reporting period. Such collaboration deserves our strong support, as it could open the doors to further commercial opportunities, for the mutual benefits of both sides.


Mr. President,


16. Malaysia is gravely concern on the creeping influence of ISIL in the region. We commend the steps taken by the authorities in Kosovo to combat terrorist threats and to address the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters.


17. We simply cannot afford to have terrorist groups manipulating the religious, racial and cultural divide in the region, and in Kosovo in particular, to serve their twisted and violent agenda.


18. We thus, wish to see continued high priority accorded by the Kosovo authorities in combating this global menace. In this regard, Malaysia stands ready to support Kosovo in its fight to combat radicalisation and violent extremism.


Mr. President,


19. In concluding, I join my other colleagues in reaffirming support for UNMIK, which continues to play a key role in promoting security, stability and respect for human rights in Kosovo. We also commend the leadership of the Special Representative, and the important role of the OSCE, the Kosovo Force, and the EU towards peace and stability in Kosovo.


I thank you, Mr. President.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia
Wisma Putra
No. 1, Jalan Wisma Putra, Precinct 2
62602 Putrajaya, MALAYSIA

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