President Drnovšek in Kosovo
Kosovo, 11/12/2005 | press release
The President of the Republic, Dr Janez Drnovšek, today visited Kosovo, where he held meetings with top representatives of UNMIK and the President of Kosovo, Mr Ibrahim Rugova.
President Drnovšek outlined to the representatives of UNMIK his plan for Kosovo and the purpose of his visit to Kosovo, which was to underline the importance of protection of the Serb minority in Kosovo as well as of Serb and other religious and historic monuments that are part of the world cultural heritage. This protection, as emphasised by President Drnovšek in his plan, is of vital importance in seeking a solution to the status of Kosovo that will be permanent and equitable, and that will ensure the stability and the European perspective of Kosovo. UNMIK representatives welcomed President Drnovšek's visit and expressed their profound appreciation of Slovenia's contribution to the stabilisation of the situation in Kosovo, active involvement of the representatives of Slovenian police and military forces in international missions in Kosovo, and operations of Slovenian companies in Kosovo.
The UNMIK representatives also said they were convinced that negotiations on the status of Kosovo would be successful, provided that there were the readiness to reach agreement and a constructive contribution of the international community and of all those having good knowledge of the situation in this area.
President Drnovšek and the President of Kosovo, Mr Ibrahim Rugova, discussed the contents of the Slovenian President’s plan for Kosovo. Dr Drnovšek stressed the importance of protection of religious and historic monuments in Kosovo as a vital element for the solution of the Kosovo issue and for mutual confidence-building between members of different nations and religious denominations living in this area.
Slovenia's President also emphasised that as part of the principles underlying the future status of Kosovo, a matter of particular importance was the feeling of security and autonomy that must be guaranteed to the Serb minority, as well as co-operation at all levels of governance. President Rugova thanked Dr Drnovšek for Slovenia’s contribution and its understanding of the Kosovo issues, thereby stressing the importance of the existing traditional friendship.
Dr Drnovšek’s visit to Kosovo also extended to the monasteries of Gračanica, Peć and Dečani.