Jim O'Keeffe
Question:74 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position of his Department in relation to the future governance of Kosovo. [22370/00]
Written Answers. - Foreign Conflicts.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:104 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the current situation in Kosovo; the extent to which he has or will contribute positively to the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22650/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 104 together.
The situation in Kosovo gives continuing cause for concern. In the run-up to local elections on 28 October, there is a worrying level of violence directed at the Serb minority population and also within the Albanian community. Ireland has been contributing to efforts to restore calm and stability, in particular through our participation in UNMIK and KFOR. We have already sent one long-term observer for the election-monitoring process and will shortly be sending a further seven observers for the election period itself. In broader terms, there are grounds for optimism following the election of Vojislav Kostunica as President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The key text governing Kosovo's status and future governance is UN Security Council Resolution 1244, adopted on 10 June 1999. In essence, this provides for a political process leading to the establishment of an interim political framework providing for substantial self-government for Kosovo, taking full account of the Rambouillet accords and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the other countries of the region. Pending the successful conclusion of this process, we will continue to support the operation of the international security and civil presences established in Kosovo under the terms of the Security Council resolution.