Ministry of Communities and Return has developed a new strategy for return of displaced to Kosovo. That strategy provides security for returnees, protection of their private property and resolution of their property disputes, Minister Dalibor Jevtic said at the regional conference held yesterday in vicinity of Pristina.
However, in order to realize it international cooperation is needed. “Following the adoption of the document by the Kosovo government, other institutions will oblige themselves to be included in the resolution of disputed issues, when it comes to returnees. I think that assistance of other institutions will contribute to more efficient solutions,” Jevtic said and added that he is not satisfied with the number of returnees to Kosovo in last 10 years.
“Usurped properties, frequent thefts of private property and jeopardized security are only some of arguments returnees are quoting as reasons for not wishing to return,” Jevtic explained and added that cooperation with other institutions in charge for addressing this problems has to be improved.
Jevtic stressed that one of the biggest problems which should be addressed is the issue of collective centers and underlined that living conditions in those facilities are very poor. He also requested from the Kosovo government to increase funds for the return of displaced.
The UNHCR Resident Representative, Jo Hagenauer, reminded that Constitution of Kosovo guarantees return to all. He also agreed that Ministry of Communities and Return needs assistance of other institutions.
“The responsibility of the UNHCR is to gather data on returnees requests, analyze them, make reviews and hand them over to the Ministry of Communities and Return. After that data are forwarded to Kosovo government, and it is up to the government to decide on further steps which will be undertaken,” said Hagenauer.
