Mogherini: Demarcation, condition for visa-free travel (dailies)
The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, met on Tuesday in Brussels the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. Thaçi presented to the EU High Representative Mogherini about Kosovo’s achievements and its commitment to peace and stability in the region. With regard to the visa liberalisation process, Thaçi said Kosovo now awaits a meritorious decision. He also spoke about the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue and stressed that this process has had a positive impact on building peace and stability in the Western Balkans. On the other hand, Mogherini said Kosovo should be optimistic about visa liberalisation and urged the fulfilment of the last criterion, ratification of the border-demarcation agreement with Montenegro. She added that the dialogue with Serbia should continue and that all parties must remain committed to sincere cooperation.
EULEX under investigation by EU anti-fraud office (Koha)
KTV reported that the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) is under investigation by the European anti-fraud office (OLAF) over salaries paid to an international Constitutional Court judge. Sources said that judge Robert Carolan has threatened to quit if EULEX stops paying him for the fact that he spends most of his time in the US and not in Kosovo. EULEX has agreed to Carolan’s conditions because under the new agreement on extending the mission’s mandate, if an international judge leaves he/she is replaced by a local judge.
The threatening letter that led to the failure of Brezovica project (Koha)
In a front-page story, the paper carries the letter that Marko Đurić, director of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo, sent to the companies that were involved in the consortium for the Brezovica ski resort, and which ultimately resulted in the failure of the project. Đurić threatened the investors that the Serbian government would undertake legal measures against them and at the same time suggested to the companies that they should invest in Serbia. “We would encourage you to explore other ways of investing into the existing ski resort operated by Serbian companies, rather than getting involved in a politically-tainted project which might end up with unprecedented investment arbitration proceedings, and might bear sever reputational and legal risks, including public notices sent to relevant institutions in your jurisdiction of incorporation…” Đurić wrote in his letter.
Jeton Svirca to be appointed Minister of Environment (Zëri)
Citing unidentified sources within the Justice Party, the paper reports that the new Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning will be Jeton Svirca from this party. Svirca will replace Ferid Agani who was relieved from duty following an indictment against him.
Gavrić entered Kosovo three times with explosives (Zëri)
Slobodan Gavrić who was caught two years ago with 12kg of explosives in Pristina and stands accused of terrorism, said on Tuesday that he had entered Kosovo three times with explosives while his vehicle was never checked at the border crossing points in northern Kosovo. “When I entered Kosovo my vehicle was never checked. I entered Kosovo with a Serbian ID card,” Gavrić said. He said his intention was to sell the explosives.
Kosovo Police arrest six Serbian nationals on Pristina-Peja road (Koha)
In one of the front-page stories, the paper reports that Kosovo Police arrested six Serbian nationals on Monday afternoon near the village of Ramun, in Peja/Pec municipality, after the latter had attacked regional traffic police officers who were on duty. “During a routine check-up, the suspects, who were under the influence of alcohol, insulted and then attacked the police officers. As a result, four police officers sustained bodily injuries. The suspects were arrested and sent to detention based on the prosecutor’s order,” a police report noted. The paper also reports that a person had notified the police that the Serbian nationals had blocked the Pristina-Peja main road and that they were waving Serbian flags and making nationalistic chants. Sources in the Kosovo Police told the paper that the Serbian nationals are members of a Serbian nationalist radical group.
Minister Hoti confirms pressure for €12 million tenders (Koha)
The paper reports on the front page that Kosovo’s Minister of Finance, Abdullah Hoti, held a press conference on Tuesday, initially denying a report by Koha Ditore that he had applied pressure on the Central Procurement Agency chief to sign off three contracts amounting to €12 million. During the press conference, however, Hoti admitted he had put pressure on CPA chief Mursel Rracaj, but that it was in accordance with the law. The paper also notes that Rracaj accompanied Hoti at the press conference but did not address the reporters.
Kosovo’s liaison officer ignored by Belgrade (Koha)
The paper reports on page two that Valdet Sadiku, Kosovo’s liaison officer in Belgrade, is ignored by Serbian authorities although he was deployed there to establish communication between the two countries. In 2015, Sadiku held only one meeting with the Serbian Minister of Education. Serbian officials meanwhile have argued that the work of the liaison officer and the documents he issues should be status neutral “as the Brussels-based dialogue and all agreements deriving from this process”. Despite the obstacles, the Kosovo government believes the “diplomatic mission” in Serbia is important, whereas the opposition and civil society organizations argue that opening the liaison office in Belgrade was a political mistake.
Tahiri: Kosovo deserves to be recognised by all countries (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo’s Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, called on countries from Latin America, Asia and Africa to lobby for recognition of Kosovo’s independence saying that Kosovo is a serious partner for peace and stability. “Kosovo deserves to be recognised by all countries in the world”, she said. Tahiri made the comments at the International Leadership Meeting taking place in Pristina.
