A/RES/54/117 Page 3 organization, as stated in the Declaration adopted by the heads of State or Government at the Istanbul Summit, to promote children’s rights and interests, especially in conflict and post-conflict situations; 8. Acknowledges the work carried out by the Kosovo Verification Mission, prior to its withdrawal on 20 March 1999, in verifying the implementation of Security Council resolution 1199 (1998) of 23 September 1998, in accordance with Council resolution 1203 (1998) of 24 October 1998, and the contribution of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1160 (1998) of 31 March 1998, including the contribution of the Chairman-in-Office of that organization to the reports of the Secretary-General prepared pursuant to that resolution; 9. Commends the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for its assistance to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in handling the great influx of refugees from Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, to Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in March-June 1999; 10. Expresses its appreciation for the contribution by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo in implementing Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999, including the establishment pursuant to that resolution of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Mission in Kosovo as an essential part of the broader United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, responsible for institution-building, including the training of a new Kosovo police service, judicial personnel and civil administrators, the development of free media, democratization and governance, the organization and supervision of elections and the monitoring, protection and promotion of human rights, in cooperation with, inter alia, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and stresses the commitment of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to the full implementation of resolution 1244 (1999); 11. Welcomes the readiness of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to continue to fulfil the role assigned to it in the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina,4 in cooperation with the United Nations, in particular in the fields of human rights and judicial and police reform; 12. Fully supports the continued provision by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe of advice and assistance within its field of experience to Albania in its continuing process of social, political and economic transition, including by furnishing the overall framework for the Group of Friends of Albania, which brings together countries and international institutions that actively wish to support Albania in its development efforts, and by co-chairing the Group together with the European Union at the international level; 13. Commends the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for providing its assistance and expertise to Croatia in the field of human rights and the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, its role in Croatia in monitoring the implementation of commitments on the return of refugees and displaced persons, its monitoring of democratic institutions and means of promoting reconciliation and the rule of law and its continued provision of civilian police monitors in the Danubian region of Croatia; 4 A/50/790–S/1995/999; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fiftieth Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1995, document S/1995/999. /...