New UN mission chief in Kosovo

New UN mission chief takes office in Kosovo
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Source: CCTV.com | 06-21-2008 11:10
Italian diplomat Lamberto Zannier has taken office as the new chief of the UN mission in Kosovo after his appointment by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York. Serbian President Boris Tadic rejected the plan to restructure the UN mission in Kosovo on Friday and enhance the role of the European Union in the breakaway province.
Lamberto Zannier arrived in Pristina on Friday afternoon. He stressed that, as head of the UN mission in Kosovo, his position on Kosovo's status will stay neutral.

Zannier was optimistic about forging closer links between Serb and Albanian communities which remain divided after the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo on February 17th.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon appointed Zannier to the role during a Security Council session on Friday.

Speaking on behalf of his new special representative, Ban said Zannier will help to carry forward the UN vision in Kosovo, and lead a new phase of dialogue. He added Zannier would be scrupulously balanced in his approach to the job.

Last week, Ban unveiled plans to restructure the world body's presence in Kosovo, saying that the EU will gradually assume increasing operational responsibilities throughout Kosovo in the areas of international policing, justice and customs.

Speaking before the Security Council on Friday, Serbian President Boris Tadic rejected Ban Ki-moon's plans and said reconfiguration could only be decided by a Security Council vote. He stressed it is the sole institution endowed with the power to legitimize changes to the composition of the international presence in Kosovo.




Editor:Liu Fang

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News & Politics

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• UN
• Kosovo