Ban:Kosovo authorities to set up specialist war crimes court

NEW YORK - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the latest report on the United Nations Interim Administrative Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) called upon the Kosovo authorities to speed up the establishment of the specialist court for war crimes and to redouble their efforts in strengthening a broad public consensus around this issue.

Ban welcomed the constitution of the Kosovo Assembly and the formation of the new government in Pristina, adding that "with key institutions in place, the Kosovo authorities should now move forward in addressing the many challenges still facing Kosovo."

"One important step would be for the government and the Assembly to move swiftly on the adoption of the legislation concerning the establishment of the specialist court to try cases arising from the findings of the European Union Special Investigative Task Force, as agreed between Kosovo and the European Union," Ban said in his regular quarterly report published on the UN official web site.

He urged Kosovo's political leaders to "redouble their efforts in strengthening a broad public understanding and consensus around this issue, given its importance to Kosovo's future."

"Sustained efforts should also continue in respect of the rule of law and in promoting genuine long-term reconciliation among Kosovo's communities," the UN secretary-general said.

He also urged Belgrade and Pristina to engage in the EU-facilitated dialogue fully, earnestly and as soon as possible at the leadership level.

"This will be crucial in sustaining the engagement at the technical level and in moving forward on the implementation of the outstanding provisions of the 19 April 2013 agreement," said Ban, adding that "the core issue in this respect remains the...