Reconstruction of a road near Visoki Decani Monastery and lack of progress in Oliver Ivanovic murder investigation are reasons for concern in Kosovo, UN SG Antonio Guterres said, Serbian national broadcaster RTS reported. UN SG Guterres at the same time welcomed continuation of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue under EU auspices.

In a report covering the period from mid-April to mid-July, SG Guterres said he is concerned over intention to build a road in Special Protection Zone around Decane Monastery, urging local authorities to adhere to the laws and decisions that prohibits road reconstruction within the Special Protection Zones. He also urged Kosovo authorities to intensify investigation of Oliver Ivanovic murder and use all channels available that could be of support. SG Guterres welcomed the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, under EU auspices. He added the general situation in Kosovo over the last three months remained stable, recalling that Srpska Lista MPs do not take part in the work of the government since the end of March, respectively arrest of Marko Djuric, Serbian Government Office for Kosovo Director. He also mentioned that Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Prime Minister Haradinaj’s Cabinet condemned a series of interethnic incidents, Srpska Lista complained about in June this year. “My Special Representative Zahir Tanin on June 6 welcomed these statements, noting there is no room for intimidations in a democratic society.” Part of the report is dedicated to the return of displaced persons, and it notes 77 persons have returned to Kosovo in the last three months. SG Guterres also added that 1.647 persons are still listed as missing after the 1998-1999 conflict, Serbian media reported.