Chris Patten bezoekt Kosovo na ongeregeldheden (en)

dinsdag 23 maart 2004

Commissioner Patten will visit Kosovo tomorrow with Secretary General/High Representative Javier Solana to convey the European Union's strong condemnation of last week's ethnically motivated violence in which many were killed and injured. They will meet political figures from all sides, including President Ibrahim Rugova, Prime Minister Bajram Rexhepi, and representatives of the Serb Community. They will also have talks with the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Harri Holkeri, and the commander of KFOR General Holger Kammerhoff. Commissioner Patten will be underlining the EU's continuing commitment to Kosovo. He will stress the need to restore calm; for those responsible for the violence to be brought to justice; and for all sides to refrain from provocative acts. Extremist forces will have no role to play in settling Kosovo's future.