Jahjaga and institutional leaders discuss special court (Zeri)
Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga met on Wednesday with Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci, Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli, US Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, and head of European Union Office in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, to discuss the establishment of the special court. Sources told Tirana’s Top Channel that the international representatives urged Kosovo leaders to be more pragmatic and to make the necessary amendments for the establishment of the special court. Kosovo government officials did not want to comment on the meeting.
Mustafa has no information on Serbian List’s return (Koha Ditore)
Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa said at the meeting of the government that he has no information regarding the possible return of the Serbian List representatives to the Kosovo institutions. “I think talks about their return should take place here with me because they will be part of this government,” said Mustafa adding that they have not received any conditions from the Serbian List in exchange for its return.
Government leaves out draft law for funding special court’s accused (Koha)
Government of Kosovo has not included in the legislative programme for 2015 the draft law for legal and financial support to those that could be indicted by the special court. Sources from the government said Prime Minister Isa Mustafa is not keen on processing such a law which was opposed by members of his Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) even when it was introduced by former Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. Government’s spokesperson Arban Abrashi said they did not decide to drop the draft law altogether but that there should be a study of financial implications before moving ahead with the legislation.
Lunacek: I hope migration of people will wake up government (Koha Ditore)
The Vice President of the European Parliament, Ulrike Lunacek, told Koha Ditore that it is frustrating that only people from Kosovo must have visas to travel to the EU. She called on Pristina and the EU to be more active in the implementation of visa liberalization for Kosovo. According to her, the economic reforms and improvement of health system should be a priority for the government. “I hope that the fact that a large number of Kosovars want to leave Kosovo, will wake up the government,” said Lunacek, adding that the government should combat high-level corruption in the Kosovo institutions. In regards to the special court, Lunacek said that it should be established as soon as possible, because there is a need to clarify war crimes allegations. Speaking about EULEX, Lunacek said that allegations of corruption in this mission are a matter of concern for the European Parliament. “EU’s image was damaged and the way Kosovo society sees the EU. It is important for the credibility of the EU that this matter be clarified,” she said.
Viets: Government to do more in combating corruption (Epoka e Re)
The German Ambassador to Kosovo, Angelika Viets, told Radio Kosova that the European Union countries will reject all asylum applications from the Kosovo people. She said that the government of Kosovo and EU countries have taken measures which contributed to the reduction in the number of migrants in recent days. Viets also criticized the government of Kosovo for not doing enough to combat corruption and organized crime. However, she said that Germany will continue to support Kosovo on its path towards EU integration.
