THIRTEENTH COORDINATIVE MEETING OF GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND NGOs AT THE ROYAL PALACE

Belgrade, 12 December 2002 – Thirteenth Coordinative meeting of NGOs was organized by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) at the Royal Palace today.

The meeting was opened by HRH Crown Princess Katherine, and issues of internally displaced persons and refugees were discussed. The present were addressed by Mr. Paul Herbert - Head of the UN Office in Belgrade, Mrs. Ljiljana Belos – Head of the Department for displaced persons from Kosovo and Metohija, Mr. Dejan Keserovic – assistant at the Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Mathias le Rutte – UNHCR representative, and Mrs. Elina Multanen – consultant for the Group 484 program.

In conclusion of the meeting, the present agreed that the issue of internally displaced persons must be discussed openly, and that elementary conditions for their normal life must be provided, as well as the opportunities for them to fulfil their basic human rights and find jobs.

Supporting the proposals, HRH Crown Princess said:

“Federal and Serbian Governments must answer precisely who is responsible for the internally displaced persons, and all of us, involved in solving this problem, must see to it to work together. It is the only way that we can help those people to feel like human beings, to fulfil their basic human rights, including one of the most important ones – the right to work. Investors must be prompted to help construction of flats and houses for these people, but also the economy must be strengthened, so that these people get the right to work and by that improve their social status”.

Mr. Dejan Keserovic pointed out that the problem of internally displaced persons is a universal one, and its solving should be approached with caution. There must be cooperation with the representatives of Federal and Serbian Governments and their bodies that deal in similar problems, and the law on displaced persons must be agreed. Eventually, funds for aiding this program must be set up.

The present agreed that the year 2003 is very important for the displaced persons. UNHCR organizes its “Return to Kosovo Division”, that will supply all the necessary information to the persons who want to return there, and work in providing their comeback, as well as their right to personal choice.

At the end of this NGOs meeting, HRH Crown Princess Katherine greeted the present and thanked them for attending it in such large number, wishing them happy holidays.