Together with the EU and other partners, UNMIK is committed to improving dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on all levels, from the central government to civil society, said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and head of UNMIK Zahir Tanin.

At the regular meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Kosovo, Zahir Tanin said that the cooperation between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Kosovo authorities has declined over the last year.

"Unresolved issues related to the church property and the implementations of legal protection have caused tension in relations. We still get reports of incidents, including theft, in households that are owned by the Kosovo Serbs, that causes concern," said Tanin.

The UNMIK Chief pointed out that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was of crucial importance and its ultimate success must be established in cooperation between all leaders, throughout the region.

Tanin said that although Kosovo has established a strong legal framework, the implementation of that framework remains inconsistent, the judicial administration unacceptably slow and that there are everyday examples of political interference.

"Corruption on many levels increases the frustration of the public, harms the everyday lives of all people in Kosovo, reduces the opportunities for economic development and undermines the faith in the political system," said Tanin.

The UNMIK Chief noted that during the past months, polarization of the political landscape has reached levels where progress has been prevented, and the most obvious example was the frequent use of violence by the opposition in order to prevent the work of the Assembly and other government institutions.

"I believe this is an appropriate moment for all to change the focus from political conflict to the core issues," Tanin said, emphasizing that the political leaders should be more open in seeking opportunities for regional cooperation instead of focusing on a limited political interests.