UN Development Coordinator and UNDP Representative in Pristina, Andrew Russell said that membership of Kosovo to UNESCO is a part of the political process, with what Kosovo and Serbian authorities, should deal first.

“If we would deal with Kosovo heritage, then it would not be difficult. There must be a way to work together in achieving a mutual goal of protection and promotion of not only Serbian and Orthodox, but also Islamic cultural heritage, respectively not only Ottoman or Byzantine but entire cultural heritage,” said Russell in an interview to RTV Puls.

Andrew Russell who also worked in divided Cyprus thinks that dialogue about cultural heritage is of critical importance.

“I think the aim should be similar to what my former colleague from Cyprus had achieved when he said: This is a Cyprus cultural heritage. I would also like to come back in 10 years and that someone tells me, this is a Kosovo cultural heritage. This requires dialogue and discussion above everything. I believe there is a way that we all could work together. At the end, I leave politics to the politicians, and in the meantime there is lots of work that should be done here.

During an interview, Russell also spoke about UNDP projects and initiatives, such as reconstruction of a fortress in Novo Brdo and projects implemented last year in Gnjilane and other municipalities aiming to connect communities through culture.

He also spoke about joint UNDP-EU Office in Kosovo project, named “RELOAD” dedicated to the cooperation of civil society organizations and municipalities, to encourage young people to develop their ideas and realize the potential they have, RTV Puls reported