OSCE: The return of displaced Serbs is key challenge for Kosovo
The OSCE harshly criticized Kosovo’s provisional institutions on Tuesday, saying that the lack of progress in the return of displaced Serbs and other non-Albanians presents a key challenge for the Albanian leaders in the province.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, October 31, 2007
According to the latest OSCE's report on return of refugees in Kosovo, provincial institutions should adopt transparent policies, respect ownership rights and generally boost the process, widely seen as a major obstacle for successful reconciliation between Serbs and Albanians.
"Returns are a challenging but necessary aspect of Kosovo's journey towards sustainable peace and democracy," said Markku Laamanen, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission.
"But in order to make them happen, participation of all who consider Kosovo their home is indispensable, » he said.
The latest report was based on a investigation conducted by OSCE's local branches throughout Kosovo.
It basically underlines the greatest challenges and visible procedural gaps within the process aimed to bring refugees and internally displaced persons back to their previous homes.
Recommendations to Kosovo institutional and international actors involved in the return process include enhancing interaction and co-ordination between local and central institution, increasing outreach to potential returnees and strengthening their representation in the planning and implementation of returns policies, said the OSCE.
"The success of any strategy or policy depends on the acceptance and ownership of all actors involved," Laamanen said.
"To do so, a high level of transparency and an inclusive consultative planning process is needed from the earliest stages of the planning process."
