Statement by H.E. Ambassador Yoshifumi Okamura
Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
at the United Nations Security Council Briefing
on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
25 August 2016
Mr. President,
I would like to thank Ambassador Zahir Tanin, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for his comprehensive briefing. I also welcome H.E. Mr. Mr. Ivica Dačić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Ms. Vlora Çitaku to the Council.
Mr. President,
I enjoyed the Rio Olympics. A gold medal won by a Kosovar athlete, Majlinda Kelmendi, at the women’s 52 kilogram judo division was a very emotional episode for the Japanese people. She defeated the Japanese contestant in the semi-finals and made history at Kosovo’s first Olympics. The Japanese people were moved by her achievement under such adverse conditions, and congratulated wholeheartedly her gold medal. Ms. Kelmendi’s victory has sent a message of hope to the people of Kosovo.
Mr. President,
The latest report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo gave me the impression that Kosovo has not yet qualified for a medal in its challenge of institution building. There were dozens of security incidents happening during the reporting period. We do not see as much significant progress as expected in the relations between Serbia and Kosovo. The SG report, like those before, tells us that political tension remains.
Mr. President,
We all know well that it takes much more effort to resolve a conflict once it occurs than to prevent a situation from turning into one. Kosovo has been a good contender in its endeavors after the conflict, and is deemed to be a good example and precedent of dealing with the aftermath of conflict in society.
In general terms, in the aftermath of conflict, the society and the community are devastated.
- Violence is still around;
- criminality is high;
- social justice is not assured;
- corruption is everywhere;
- public services are scarce;
- IDPs are unable to return back home.
Even though political leaders tell the people that they will try their best to ensure democracy, good governance, rule of law, human rights as well as safety and security, people do not put their trust in the government. So what is the remedy, or the treatment?
At the Open Debate of the Council in July titled "Peacebuilding in Africa", Japan’s Foreign Minister Mr. Fumio Kishida encouraged us to focus on the significant role played by institution building. This message can be also applied to Kosovo. For example, in order to eradicate violence and terror, it is necessary to train the police forces in communities. For enhanced rule of law and human rights, promoting capacity building of legal institutions, courts and other judicial structures is crucial. As described in the SG report, we see efforts by Kosovo authorities in the area of counter-terrorism.
Mr. President,
Then comes the question of how to sustain institution building. Kosovo remains one of the poorest countries in Europe, largely reflecting its conflict legacies. However, I would like to underline that Kosovo is a land rich in resources. Natural resources such as coal and zinc appear to be the most promising sector for export. Agriculture not only provides jobs for approximately 40% of the population, but also remains a main creator of wealth through farming of potatoes and berries. Kosovo’s wine industry faced a catastrophic decline in the 90s, but is recovering now.
Here, again, institution building matters. Measures such as taxation and revenue reform and fair welfare distribution are crucial for economic growth in conflict-affected countries like Kosovo. Effective tax collection assures sustainable allocation of national income to deal with provision of public services. In a nutshell, the key to peace and security in Kosovo is the formation of robust institutions and their functionality.
In the SG report, in Paragraph 47, UNMIK has provided operational assistance to law enforcement and judicial entities in Kosovo. In my view, this assistance is very important. I encourage UNMIK to make further efforts to give assistance to Kosovo authorities in the institution building process.
Mr. President,
It is my hope that Kosovo will be awarded a gold medal in the area of institution building, thus being capable of standing on its own feet. In closing, I would like to express my strong expectation that the Kosovar people, who are well-qualified and well-equipped will for that challenge, will shape their own future.
I thank you, Mr. President.
