Statement by Ambassador Usman Jadoon Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN At the UNSC Briefing on United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) (09 April 2026) ************* President, I thank SRSG Peter Due for his briefing and warmly felicitate him for assuming his duties as the SRSG. We wish him all the success in his new role. 2. I welcome FM Marko Durić and DPM/FM Glauk Konjufca to this meeting. 3. At the very outset, I would like to underscore my country’s sincere and enduring desire to see peace and stability prevail in the Balkans, and to the wellbeing, prosperity and progress of all the peoples in the region. President 4. We commend the Kosovo authorities for the peaceful conduct of local and legislative elections last year. We are confident that the elected representatives would work prudently, cooperatively and constructively for the Presidential election, hopefully, within the period recently granted by the Constitutional court. 5. We recognize the complex and intricate web of challenges that this region has and continues to confront. This further reinforces our conviction that only a sustained and meaningful dialogue process, toning down of political rhetoric and full implementation of commitments made under the 2013 (Brussles) and the 2023 (Ohrid) Agreement, in its entirety and unconditionally, can help overcome these challenges and lead to lasting peace, and stability in the region. 6. My delegation appreciates European Union’s steadfast commitment and efforts to facilitate dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. We are heartened to note the convening of Joint Commission on Missing Persons, in a trilateral format and the agreement on Law of Foreigners. We hope that both sides will continue to build on the positive momentum, refrain from unilateral actions that stoke tensions, and continue constructive cooperation to resolve all outstanding issues. President, 7. Divisive rhetoric, hate speech, and inter-communal tensions have long plagued this region, with horrid consequences in the past. These trends should not be allowed to take root and disturb peace and tranquillity. 8. We are perturbed by the reports of desecration of religious sites. We unequivocally condemn all such actions, directed against any religion or its people, and hope that relevant authorities would take decisive action to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. In this context, we note with appreciation, UNMIK’s efforts to promote harmony and foster the spirit of co-existence, and tolerance among various communities in Kosovo. 9. Trust building between the two sides remains essential for moving forward. Tangible progress to bring perpetrators of Ibër-Lepenc and Banjskë attack to justice will go a long way in this regard, and hope that relevant authorities, from both sides, would cooperate earnestly towards this end. President, 10. Pakistan enjoys friendly relations with Serbia and Kosovo and remains a resolute supporter of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Balkans. 11. What the region urgently needs is meaningful engagement, a firm commitment for the principles of mutual respect, recognition of mutual sensitivities, safeguarding social and economic rights of all peoples, and promotion of the spirit of peaceful co-existence, and inter-communal harmony. The Balkans have suffered enough from the failures of the past. The future, surely, must be different. We, therefore, call upon all parties to choose the path of principle over prejudice, and patience over provocation, to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region. I thank you.

— Official Statement