Kouchner's farewell address

The former Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN to Kosovo, Dr Bernard Kouchner (photo), addressed representatives from the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) - comprising 46 NATO and partner countries- and from other KFOR contributing countries on 30 January. After Dr Kouchner had made an assessment of the current situation in Kosovo, he was congratulated on the pioneering work he had achieved in the province during his eighteen months in office.

During a joint press conference, NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson condemned the on-going violence in Mitrovica and the Presevo Valley and reiterated KFOR's commitment to peace and stability in the province. He also stressed the international community's commitment to UN Resolution 1244. Bernard Kouchner underlined the positive steps which had been made toward building a democratic society in Kosovo. Local elections were successfully held on 28 October 2000 and a date for future general elections is going to be fixed by his successor, Mr Hans Haekkerup. He concluded that while the situation in Kosovo is still difficult, progress can be achieved with political will and military resolution.