Joachim Ruecker

UNMIK Chief

(Reuters, AFP, AKI - 01/09/06; UN News centre - 15/08/06; Reuters, DPA, UN News Centre - 14/08/06; UNMIK)

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan named Joachim Ruecker as his new special representative and head of UNMIK on August 14th 2006. The veteran German diplomat replaced Denmark's Soren Jessen-Petersen in the post on 1 September 2006, becoming the sixth chief of UNMIK since the mission's establishment in 1999.

Born on May 30th 1951, Ruecker holds a Ph.D. in international economics.

From 1979 to 1991, he served in different positions in the German foreign ministry and postings in German embassies abroad, including in Dar es Salaam and Vienna, as well as in Detroit, Michigan, as consulate-general. He also served as foreign policy adviser to the Social Democratic parliamentary group in the German Bundestag and as mayor of the city of Sindelfingen in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg from 1993 to 2001.

Ruecker gained experience in the Balkans while serving as deputy high representative for administration and finance at the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina from May 2001 to July 2002.

Ruecker assumed his post at a crucial stage in the UN-led talks on determining Kosovo's future status. With the international community seeking a completion of the process by the end of 2006, the German diplomat believed he would be the last head of UNMIK.

Days before he took up his new job, Ruecker said his efforts would focus on preparing for the UN operation's departure and the handover of Kosovo to the appropriate authorities, in accordance with the provisions in the final status settlement. Stressing that he wanted to leave behind a united Kosovo, he listed the creation of stable institutions, a peaceful and secure environment and participation of Kosovo's minorities in the province's life as some of the main tasks ahead.

"I recognize and I respect that minority communities in Kosovo, especially the Kosovo Serb community, need special reassurances, and I would emphasize that the majority population has an obligation and responsibility to reach out to the minorities more than ever before," Ruecker said on 15 August. "I have great faith in the people of Kosovo, and in particular I have great faith in Kosovo's young generation, a generation that has the opportunity to live in peace and prosperity."

Ruecker has two daughters and a son.