Women from Kosovo and Serbia discuss dialogue and reconciliation
(RTK2)
Two-day meeting between Women MPs from Serbia and Kosovo Parliaments is being held in Prishtinë/Pristina. The meeting was organised under the title ‘Women Promoting Dialogue and Reconciliation.’’
“Follow Us” initiative was launched in 2012 in Budva, Montenegro. Members of this initiative share their experiences in meetings and deal with challenges that women making efforts to impact on decision-making processes encounter.
“Its members grew strongly convinced of the importance of having an open channel for dialogue, and through their engagement they succeeded in keeping this channel alive despite the heated political debates to which both societies are often exposed to. This is very practical example of the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325 on women and peace and security adopted in 2000,” stated Paivi Nikander, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.
“If we talk about issues that concern us all, the members look for ways of mutual solutions and build their mutual trust and understanding between the societies themselves,” said Jan Lueneburg, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s Democratization Department.
Women from Serbia and Kosovo Parliaments as well as women from civil society discussed dialogue and the reconciliation process.
“I think that with this project the OSCE has succeeded to overcome this taboo, and today we at this room can discuss without being afraid and without looking at each other with the eye of the enemy, but definitely looking at each other as friends who are searching for the same solutions,” PDK MP at the Assembly of Kosovo Blerta Deliu-Kodra said.
“If people want to shake hands, they cannot keep their fists clenched. The woman that opens her palm, who wants to shake hands, understands that we must be equal part of dialogue on how it will be lived in Kosovo and how it will be lived in Serbia, how will we overcome all our conflicts, all the things that we have as a heavy burden from the past, and how will we find similarities between us,” stated Gordana Comic, MP of Democratic Party in the Serbian Parliament.
Next step of “Follow Us” initiative would need to be improvement of women’s position in villages and their inclusion in dialogue. Women from Zrenjanin and Prizren might be the next ones to meet and exchange their experiences.
Tahiri: EU says that wall in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica must be removed
(KTV)
Edita Tahiri spoke with KTV after a several-hours meeting with the European Union representatives, following the situation created in relation to building of the wall in northern part of Ibër bridge.
She said that results from the meeting were positive and EU has said that only the Agreement on Revitalisation of the Bridge must be implemented, saying that the wall must be demolished, online version of KTV reported.
“I inform you that results are positive. EU’s position is that the agreement must be fully respected and that the wall is illegal and it must be removed. Everything will be done in respect of the agreement,” Tahiri said.
She further said that Government of Kosovo presented its stance that the wall must be removed immediately and without delay.
“We presented the Government’s stance that it must be removed and have no delays. The wall will be removed and bridge and the other part will be open for free movement. As you know, EU is authorized for the bridge and the company contracted by EU is the one that will deal with this, because it has certainly been built by illegal structures,” Tahiri ended.
In its later news edition, KTV quoted Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north mayor Goran Rakic responding to Tahiri that ‘the wall will not be demolished.’ According to his explanation, parties have only agreed about redesigning of the wall.
“No matter that Minister for Dialogue with Belgrade, Edita Tahiri, is spreading false statements that the wall is to be demolished, and with this she is violating the agreements for several times now, Serbian side is happy with the agreement on redesign, which, I emphatically state, does not envisage demolition of the wall,” Rakic told Tanjug, KTV Interactive reported later during the evening.
EU does not say that wall will be removed
(KTV)
The European Union made a pronouncement through a press release regarding Thursday’s meeting, but it did not clearly state that the wall which is being built by Serbs in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north must be demolished.
Earlier during the evening, Kosovo Minister for Dialogue Edita Tahiri told KTV that EU has said that the wall will be removed.
However, the EU press release says that: “The agreement on the Mitrovicë/Mitrovica bridge was reached within the context of the EU facilitated Dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtinë/Pristina in August 2015. The EU has met with both sides today to clarify pending issues related to the implementation of this agreement.”
“Both sides agreed to harmonise the designs for the project to revitalise the Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Bridge and the project to pedestrianize the King Petar Street. They agreed that the roundabout in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north will be connected with the pedestrianized King Petar street, allowing for full and unhindered freedom of movement, while addressing concerns related to road safety,” it states further.
According to EU, parties also agreed that the initial design of the roundabout, as agreed in Brussels in August 2015, will be fully adhered to. However, no details were given on how this space was planned to be regulated; it only implies that King Petar Street will only be open for pedestrians.
“The EU will remain in close touch with both sides to ensure implementation of the agreement from August 2015, the implementing agreement from August 2016 and the operational understanding reached today with both sides so that the 20 January deadline for the re-opening of the bridge and the pedestrian street will be met,” the EU press release concludes.
PM Mustafa announces other visits to north
(KTV)
One-hundred Serbs of the north forced Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and his subordinates to use alternative roads in order to manage to step over the new bridge of Bistrica river in Kosovo north.
A week later, Prime Minister Mustafa continued to insist that he was not impeded by anyone, because, as he said, it is Kosovo territory there, too. He made a comparison of protests of the Serbs in the north with those held in Prishtinë/Pristina.
PM Mustafa announced other visits to the north, although he is aware that these obstacles are a policy of Serbia.
Prime Minister made all these statements following a press conference called jointly with Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, where they spoke about strengthening of cooperation of Kosovo with NATO.
Hoxhaj also spoke about Kosovo recognitions, saying they will not leave stone unturned to increase their number.
Mustafa: Those that impeded visa liberalisation should be ashamed
(KTV)
Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, has accused all those that came against demarcation with Montenegro, blaming them for non-liberalisation of visa for Kosovo, KTV reported on its later news edition.
On Thursday the European Union informed that Ukraine and Georgia, which were on the same stage with Kosovo, have met the liberalisation criteria, while Kosovo needs to meet two other criteria, fighting of corruption and ratification of demarcation with Montenegro.
Using Facebook, PM Mustafa said that all those that impeded liberalisation of visas should be ashamed.
“Today is the day when all those that impeded liberalisation of visas for Kosovo by fabricating and becoming advocates to a false cause should be ashamed, while Ukraine and Georgia won for their citizens.” Mustafa wrote on Facebook.
Bushati speaks about Kosovo’s membership in OSCE
(TV21)
Addressing the 23rd OSCE Minister Council’s meeting, Albanian Foreign Minister, Ditmir Bushati, also spoke about Kosovo and its membership in this Organisation.
Bushati has encouraged the next OSCE chairmanship, Austria, to find an appropriate way in order not to have discussions for Kosovo at this organisation, without the presence of representatives from Kosovo.
Matic: Word ‘reconciliation’ is not allowed in territory of the Balkans
(Summary of KTV – Rubicon show)
Compromise in the Balkans is perceived as a negative act in the eyes of politicians. This was stated by chief editor the Serbian TV station B92, Veran Matic, in an interview with KTV Rubicon show on Thursday evening.
Asked about the agreement reached in Brussels between Serbia and Kosovo on telecommunications, Matic said he feels good that he will finally have a telephone line when he will travel to Prishtinë/Pristina.
According to him, calls of victory made by each side only demonstrate the uncertainty of political elites. Matic stressed that this is done because political elites have a constant need to prove they are not traitors.
Serbian journalist and B92 chief editor, Matic, also spoke about talks in Brussels. He considers the fact that there is no evolution within the talks as worrying.
Asked who would need to be at the top of these talks, Matic considers that Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi might be the right person for this.
“Nevertheless, it is very noticeable that Prime Minister Mustafa is at the second plan here, or he solely does not want to have the leading role and lead this process, while I think that President Thaçi has the desire to be more constructive and dynamic in this story. Therefore, if Thaçi really wants this, why not,” Matic said.
Further, Matic also spoke about economic relations between the two countries. According to the Serbian journalist, relations between entrepreneurs are good and they function extremely well.
The word ‘reconciliation’ is not allowed in the territory of the Balkans, Matic told Rubicon show. He said that reconciliation process seems to be forbidden in the Balkans.
Emancipation and democratization of societies, both Kosovar and Serbian ones, is the key to normalisation of relations between the two countries, Matic believes. Recognition of Kosovo, as Matic said, is currently unimportant.
He also said that the call “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia” rather seems to be a hypocrisy. He emphasised that according to the polls, it turns out at Serbian citizens are rather interested about unemployment, thus listing the Kosovo issue at the end of their interests.
He considers that improvement of Tirana-Belgrade relations consequently impact on improvement of Kosovo-Serbia relations. Matic stressed that he does not realize why the latest meeting of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, has triggered dissatisfactions among Kosovars when, according to him, the opposite should have happened. Matic also mentioned the promotion of Rama’s book in Belgrade.
Matic said that this was the moment that people in Belgrade change their perception of the Albanian Prime Minister, who was earlier to them just a ‘rebel’ who had problems with Albanians, too. Matic stressed it was Rama’s personality that impacted on change of these perceptions.
He mentioned organisation of a big exhibition which would be of European level with the Albanian and Serb artists. He said that this exhibition will be organised in Belgrade and Tirana. Matic underlined that same prejudices, same rules remains between the people.
Serbian journalist said that high state levels are guilty for the relations and the derogatory terminology used by Serbian people for Kosovars.
“There was not re-education process and knowing of the people we live with, the Albanians, in a more serious way. My preconception for Albanians are Bekim Fehmiu and Veton Surroi, because they are the first ones I knew and I have this vision of Albanians. I also see them through what I have read. I have also read a lot about the honour and dedication for the family and many other things, but the negative part dominates in our culture, whilst any process of change has not happened,” he said.
“Same as that night with Rama. Everyone came there with the idea that there will be an Albanian who will play tricks with Vucic and he will behave badly, but they saw a very noble man, extraordinary, creative, who has certain values, with which you can immediately be identified with,” Matic added.
According to him, both parties need a more intensive communication and the relation should not be left only at the political level.
Opponent of Slobodan Milosevic’s regime, currently chief editor of B92, Veran Matic, considers that it is needed from Serbian people to show repentance for what that regime did in Kosovo.
He explained how we went to the grave of lawyer Bajram Kelmendi, killed along his two sons during Kosovo conflict, to somehow express his repentance for what happened during the conflict.
He also finds difficulties in the case of the missing persons and non-division of this process from politics. He stressed in KTV Rubicon show that the process should have been humanitarian and independent from developments of daily politics, but it did not turn out to be so. He considers that this is impermissible and it causes greater torments among the families of victims.
