Karen Thomas, Bournemouth, 8 July 2005

Kosovo’s prime minister has urged all of the province’s displaced persons to return to their homes, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds.

Bajram Kosumi released the joint statement with the mayors of Kosovo. He emphasised the importance of cultivating tolerance, understanding and respect at a time when the country’s future is to be decided.

Gustavo D’Angelo, Mission Director for Care International in Kosovo, praised the declaration but was uncertain what impact it would have on motivating people to move home.

“Returning internally displaced people is not a quick process. The returns are certainly not happening with the expected intensity because the security is not good enough.”

He added that Serbian politicians in Belgrade needed to be engaged with the process. But they do not encourage the Serbs to return to their Kosovo homes.

There are frequent calls for IDPs to return home but this is the first time the prime minister has made such a statement.

Its release coincides with a visit by Kai Eide, the UN special envoy evaluating the progress towards democracy in Kosovo.

Mr Eide is measuring the “Standards for Kosovo” and the issue of returning IDPs is a key principle underpinning these standards.

His report will be particularly important when talks on the final status of Kosovo begin in the autumn.

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