According to the budget proposal, UNMIK will receive this year three and a half million U.S. dollars less, while America and Great Britain advocate for downsizing of the mission’s staff. According to our sources the aim is to downsize 20 positions, while the area of human rights, support to the communities, and implementation of UNMIK’s role in Kosovo’s north will be strengthened to some extent.

As stipulated by the budget proposal for 1 July to 30 June of 2017, UNMIK will receive 36, 5 million. How the money will be allocated and the decision on the number of employees will be taken next month by the Fifth Committee of the UN General Assembly. The previous budget of UNMIK from last summer, provided for 388 staff, out of which 372 are civilian staff and 16 are military and police personnel (eight each).

The Serbian Government Office for Kosovo stated that the UN is the most important partner for Serbia: “UNMIK’s role is essential for Serbs and other non-Albanian communities in Kosovo and Metohija. UNMIK is functioning in accordance with the UNSC Resolution 1244 and in this way provides the conditions for the status neutral dialogue of Belgrade and Pristina and the implementation of the agreements reached so far. The final goal is the full normalization of relations, building trust and supporting stability in the region, as well as creating the conditions for a normal life of all citizens in Kosovo. Therefore, we expect that in future UNMIK will continue to implement its mandate in full capacity.”

However, according to the US representative in the UNSC, the time has come for a significant decrease of UNMIK’s presence, and part of the current personnel should be deployed to other parts of the world. Washington and London are for a reduction of UNMIK’s budget, and also suggested to reduce the number of Security Council sessions on Kosovo.

“We don’t have any indication that mission budget and personnel would be significantly decreased. We will continue to work as before,” was stated by UNMIK’s headquarter.