23 October 2024
Thank you, Madam President,
I thank SRSG Ziadeh for her briefing. I would like to extend a welcome to Foreign Minister ĐURIĆ and Deputy Prime Minister GËRVALLA to the Security Council.
First and foremost, Japan commends the UNMIK’s commitment to help to ensure conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants of Kosovo and advancement of regional stability in the Western Balkans.
We also thank Ms. Ziadeh for her leadership and active engagement with local and international partners to promote mutual trust between the parties.
Madam President,
Japan has supported peace and stability in the Western Balkans alongside its people, who have rebuilt their lives from the tragedy of war. We have also worked together in the process of Kosovo’s development based on the rule of law and democracy since its independence. It is important to promote peace, stability, and cooperation among the countries in the region.
The accession of the Western Balkans to the European Union will contribute to these aims.
In this regard, Japan has been supporting the Western Balkans in their efforts for socio-economic reform and reconciliation for decades, which was accelerated by the launch of Japan’s Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative in 2018. The initiative aims to support reforms in the Western Balkan countries toward EU accession and to facilitate regional cooperation.
Japan’s Foreign Minister visited Serbia and Kosovo in July this year, and had candid dialogues on our bilateral relations, respectively, as well as the future of the region.
That is our renewed commitment to help to seek reconciliation among the parties.
Madam President,
As a country that has fostered a long friendship with both Serbia and Kosovo, Japan remains concerned about the situation on the ground, where there have been several negative incidents.
We take note that the report by SRSG as well as that of KFOR and EULEX which assess that the security situation in northern Kosovo remains fragile after a series of incidents sparked tension.
We reiterate that the Banjska attack last year must be fully investigated, and the perpetrators must be held accountable based on an impartial investigation.
In addition, we underscore the importance of full and transparent communication and continuous dialogue among the parties regarding policies with a significant impact on regional stability and daily life.
Fomenting distrust is not a constructive approach. We solicit all parties to refrain from any actions that could lead to further tension and escalation. It is ordinary people who suffer from the consequences of such actions. Needless to say, the protection of human rights is the basic responsibility of all nations.
Japan strongly urges both parties to constructively engage in the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and find solutions for unresolved issues, which is essential to peace and stability in the Western Balkans. It is also important for both parties to recommit to existing agreements, such as the Brussels Agreement and its annex, the Ohrid Agreement of 2023, and to continue to implement them in good faith and in its entirety, including via the establishment of the association/community of Serb-majority municipalities.
Madam President,
Since its establishment in 1999, UNMIK has played a critical role in supporting Kosovo. We also recognize that the situation in Kosovo is very different from 25 years ago. Therefore, UNMIK’s role should be reviewed accordingly.
In conclusion, Japan will continue to work with all stakeholders to achieve peace, stability, and reconciliation in the region.
Thank you.