Ministers' Deputies / Rapporteur Groups

GR-DEM
Rapporteur Group on Democracy

GR-DEM(2006)5        19 January 2006[1]

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Continuation of the mandate of the “Reconstruction Implementation Commission for Orthodox Monuments in Kosovo”

Item to be considered by GR-DEM at its meeting of 9 February 2006

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Background

1.             The Memorandum of Understanding creating the “Reconstruction Implementation Commission for Orthodox Monuments in Kosovo” (the “Commission”) was reactivated in February 2005 to oversee the reconstruction of the 34 sites damaged in March 2004.  Activities were implemented jointly with the European Commission as part of the Regional Programme for Cultural and Natural Heritage in South East Europe 2003-2006 - Component B (Integrated Rehabilitation Project Plan/Survey of architectural and archaeological heritage (IRPP/SAAH)). 

2.             The “Commission”, established jointly with the European Commission and UNMIK, operates under the leadership of the Council of Europe.  The budget, voted by the Committee of Ministers on 12 July 2005 (€ 91,800), was used to cover fees and field missions for the resident international experts and for Kosovo/UNMIK and Serb experts as well as for the running costs of the technical unit based in Kosovo.

3.             The “Commission” has successfully established a sustainable ad hoc reconstruction mechanism and has completed all protection and consolidation work on 30 sites as of 31 December 2005.  In addition, the work has been supervised by Albanian and Serbian specialists, contributing to increased dialogue and co-operation between cultural communities.  The general feeling in Kosovo/UNMIK, in the Serbian Orthodox Church and in Belgrade is that the “Commission” has made the impossible, possible.

4.             The Council of Europe has increased its credibility within the international community:  UNMIK insists in reports and correspondence that the experience so far and ongoing activities represent, thanks to Council of Europe leadership, an innovative and successful step forward by the international community.  Moreover, the Director-General of UNESCO has confirmed the ongoing positive progress made in developing co-operation and co-ordination between both Organisations.

Perspectives for 2006

5.             In view of the results achieved to date and of the forthcoming sensitive political context in which the protection of cultural heritage is already of significant importance, activities to complete the restoration of the 34 Orthodox monuments will continue with the budget made available by the Provisional Institutions of Kosovo, provided the Council of Europe continues to support the “Commission” in 2006.

6.             Negotiations are in progress with the European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) to secure the necessary funds to cover the “Commission”’s running costs.  There is reasonable hope that the decision to be taken in spring 2006 will be positive, covering most of the estimated total costs for the next 18 months (€ 331,500). 

7.             Meanwhile, pending signature of the contract with EAR, the Council of Europe needs to finance the running costs of the “Commission”.  Until June 2006 included, “Commission” action can be limited so that costs do not exceed € 61,650 (international expertise and field missions: 43,650 €; local technical unit: € 14,000; local expertise: € 4,000).  Taking into account the existing voluntary contribution granted by Hungary (€ 10,000), the present request for funds to the Committee of Ministers (Field Mission Reserve) is therefore € 51,650.

8.             As soon as the contract with the EAR is signed, unspent amounts on funds received from the Field Mission Reserve will be returned.