Djuric receives new UNMIK head

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met on Wednesday with Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and new UNMIK head Peter Due and warned of the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, pointing out that UNMIK - the UN mission in Serbia's southern province - must remain engaged on all issues of importance in an undiminished scope and with an unchanged mandate.

Wishing Due success in the important post, Djuric said the imperative of the international community's actions in Kosovo-Metohija should be to preserve the multiethnic character of the province.

"Djuric assessed that, unfortunately, this has been called into question by the constant and increasing pressure on Serbs, adding that Serbia attaches exceptional importance to the activities of UNMIK and that it is crucial to continue the engagement of that mission with the aim of consistently implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1244," a government statement said.

"He also expressed his expectation that the practice of regular and substantive communication on all issues of importance for the further activities of UNMIK in Kosovo-Metohija will continue.

Informing his interlocutor about the latest moves of the Pristina authorities, Djuric expressed serious concern about the overall situation in Kosovo-Metohija, and once again pointed out that UNMIK must remain engaged on all issues of importance, in an undiminished scope and with an unchanged mandate."

Djuric reiterated that Serbia expected the international community to ensure all rights and full security to the Serbs to avert their expulsion from Kosovo-Metohija, caused by unilateral moves by the Pristina regime.

"He said that it is very important for Serbia to maintain the continuity and dynamics of the United Nations Security Council sessions on UNMIK in an open format, so that the public is timely and adequately informed about the security-sensitive situation in Kosovo-Metohija," the statement also said.