The United Nations' envoy for Kosovo said on May 16 that the election of a new Kosovo president and the return to power of Serbia’s government provided "an excellent opportunity" to end political infighting and to, instead, focus on challenges that face the Balkans – like unemployment and inequality.
Special Representative Zahir Tanin also told the UN Security Council on May 16 that he appreciated "the conciliatory messages and vision" presented by Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci and Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic after their recent election victories.
Kosovo came under UN and NATO administration after the United States and its NATO allies carried out a bombing campaign in 1999 to end a crackdown by Serbs against the region's majority ethnic Albanian population.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade still considers the region to be part of its territory.
