UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday called on all parties concerned in Kosovo to work for substantive, accelerated and sustainable progress in the political process.

In his latest report to the Security Council, Annan highlighted increased violence in a province that has been run by the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) since 1999.

"I strongly urge Kosovo's leaders to renew their efforts to ensure substantive, accelerated and sustainable progress in the implementation of the standards," he said, referring to eight targets that also include creating a functioning economy and setting up an impartial legal system.

The secretary-general noted that he was "seriously concerned" by the slow progress and setbacks in recent months, saying "the increase in serious security incidents, including of incidents that may have targeted Kosovo Serbs for ethnic reasons, is a further cause for concern."

In this latest report, which covers the situation in the region from May to December in 2005, Annan welcomed the Security Council's decision to launch a process designed to determine the future status of Kosovo, but said there was much work to be done in this area.

"The challenging period ahead will require the full political engagement of the international community," he emphasized. Enditem

Source: China View