Announcements for establishment of Association add up

(KTV) 

After demolition of illegal wall in the north, statements of senior local and international officials announcing establishment of Association of Serb Majority Municipalities as the next step have added up.

In the Government of Kosovo continue to insist that the Association will be established according to the Constitutional Court’s ruling, but work on it will not start prior to return of Serbs to institutions.

Without return of Serbs in institutions, Government of Kosovo will not make any step for the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities. This is stated by Deputy Minister of Local Government, Bajram Gecaj.

“We cannot have constructive talks in regards to establishment of the Association if Srpska List has frozen its function. They should initially return to institutions. We need to sit. It has been envisaged that the statute of the Association will be drafted by the Managing Group of four Serbs in cooperation with the Ministry of Local Government Administration, OSCE and the European Union. So, we need to establish a working group that will start the work and after having a document, that document will likely also be discussed in Brussels,” Gecaj said.

In the meantime, regarding threats of Serbs who say that in case the Association will not be established until 15 February then this will be done unilaterally by the Serbs themselves, Gecaj says that this is unacceptable for Government of Kosovo and it would then be a parallel institution.

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, expressed his optimism in KTV Rubicon show that return of Serbs will happen during this week. However, this was not also stated by the Serbs, despite KTV’s persistence.

Head of Serb MPs at the Assembly of Kosovo, Slavko Simic, said it is important to revive technical dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels, calling on EU to be correct to both sides.

He blamed Kosovars completely for the latest developments which, according to him, raised tensions.

“Over the recent days, representatives of Srpska List were very committed to preservation of peace and stability same as in easing tensions that were imposed, since central authorities interfered in local issues of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north. It is very important that we, as representatives of Srpska List, demonstrated political wisdom and sincere desire to be ready to direct all the energy toward strengthening and restoration of trust between communities and distance ourselves from irresponsible representatives of system in Kosovo, who are utterly responsible for raising of tensions,” Simic said.

On the other hand, Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North Mayor, Goran Rakic, is also expecting that the Association will be established as agreed in Brussels.

“In the last meeting in Brussels we did not speak about the Association. We agreed about this four years ago, and we are waiting for it to be established. On the day that the wall got demolished we heard [Nataliya] Apostolova saying that the Association is the next step that will be taken. This issue started in Brussels and it should end there,” Rakic underlined. 

Kosovo leaders discuss Association, Demarcation and KSF

(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1&Klan Kosova)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi held a joint meeting with the Assembly Speaker, Kadri Veseli, and Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa.

At this meeting they discussed about the continuation of the joint coordination to implement the international obligations which Kosovo has vowed to implement.

They have agreed to proceed with the establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities, to conclude the demarcation with Montenegro and to work on the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into the Kosovo Army.

“These steps, besides that they will enable the conclusion of the full integration of the Serb community in Kosovo institutions, they will also open the path to visa liberalization for the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, but also to the further consolidation of the statehood and sovereignty of the state of Kosovo,” a press release issued by the Office of Kosovo President says.

This Office also announced that President Thaçi will travel on Wednesday to Brussels, where he will stay for two days. He will be received by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. Thaçi will also meet the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, whereas on Thursday, he will also have a meeting with the President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker. 

ASMM might be established on Kosovo’s Independence Day

(KTV)

Serbs are planning to declare the Association of their Municipalities on 17 February, on Kosovo’s Independence Day, online version of KTV reported late on Tuesday.

“The issue of establishment of Association of Serb Municipalities will once again be an ignition in Belgrade-Prishtinë/Pristina line because institutions of Kosovo are continuing to further refuse establishment of the ASMM, although it is an obligation according to the Brussels Agreement. But, our fellow citizens in Kosovo plan to establish the Association on 17 February in case Thaçi’s Government does not do it,” Belgrade daily Novosti quotes a source in Serbian Government.

Earlier, Serbs announced establishment of the Association on 15 February, on Serbia’s Statehood Day, if it will not be established by Kosovo institutions.

After demolition of wall in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë and after beginning of new project near the wall, statements for establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities have added up.

ASMM was also topic of the meeting between the three Kosovo leaders, Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli and Isa Mustafa.

“Association of Serb Municipalities is the core of the Brussels Agreement and our side will use all the political means to force Prishtinë/Pristina to respect the agreement. At the contrary, everything that we have agreed upon loses sense and continuation of dialogue is put under question,” Novosti quotes a Serbian government source as saying. 

RTK refuted three times within 10 days for false news

(Insajderi)

Within a short period time Radio Television of Kosovo as well as the portal of this public institution were refuted for publication of false information by institutions and persons that were involved in RTK publications.

“Disclosure of the Russian agent”

The first refute addressed to RTK came from Press Council of Kosovo and the OSCE, due to an article published in rtklive.com portal, which wrote about disclosure of a “Russian agent in Kosovo”; however, according to Press Council the article with the title “Russian espionage network in Kosovo foiled,” was considered as violation of the truth chapter and it incited language of hatred.

On the other hand, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, through a press release issued reiterated “the critical need for media in Kosovo to uphold moral and ethical journalism, maintain professional standards, and refrain from publishing material that may cause tension or unduly undermine the personal and professional integrity of individuals.”

“Exercises of Serbian Army in Kosovo”

“Udhëve” [On the roads] show which is broadcast in Radio and Television of Kosovo, has published some data on suspicions related to military exercises of some Serbian paramilitary members in mountains of Leposavic/Leposaviq that were organised by the organisation called “Air Soft”, which is registered in Kosovo institutions.

However, Kosovo Police has refuted claims of the show that military exercises for war purposes were being carried out, since, according to Police, “Air Soft”, has been granted the permission to carry out their sportive-military activities.

“We have refuted it with the aim not to allow it to come in the public that Serbia’s military and police forces were in the territory of Kosovo, and that it is not the only organisation that has activities of military sports,” Kosovo Police Spokesperson for Mitrovicë/Mitrovica region Besim Hoti told Insajderi.

“Udhëve” show same as rtklive.com portal has published data on the so-called Russian agent who, according to this show, has a wide network of collaborators in Kosovo and other countries to spread propaganda through media and politicians from Moscow to Berlin.

“British Embassy refutes RTK”

After publication of a news article in RTK main news edition regarding recruitment of Director of Kosovo Customs, Embassy of United Kingdom refuted the news of Kosovo’s public broadcaster, considering the article as not correct and that it did not make serious attempt to seek information.

“This news article is not correct and RTK did not make serious attempt to ask information from us beforehand. The British Government is offering support to Kosovo institutions in the process of recruiting for senior positions,” the press release states.

In September last year Radio and Television of Kosovo filed a request to Assembly of Kosovo for allocating 2.5 million euros to it for the quarterly expenses (October-December 2016), expenses which are dedicated for functioning of this institution and for giving salaries to its employees. 

Hoxha: RTK management not accountable for anything

(KTV Interactive)

Talking to KTV Interactive show, Head of the Workers Union of Radio and Television of Kosovo (SPERTK) Fadil Hoxha presented the goals of this Union to make a permanent solution for financing of the public broadcaster with the Law on RTK in order for it to be at the function of fair and unbiased information.

He added that RTK management is the most megalomaniac one in the region, with boards and managements that have most expenses in the region and which are not accountable for anything. He said that internal resources are not used, but resources from the outside are rather taken for which, according to him, double and completely unnecessary payments are made.

He also made accusations about buying of foreign TV programs which he considers not useful for the viewers.

After understanding that RTK head unionists would be hosted in KTV Interactive show, RTK Director General Mentor Shala threatened Hoxha through social networks.

Regarding this threat Hoxha said: “The threat is not new from mister Shala. He did the same with journalist Arsim Halili. The Director should be an example for decency, and I do not fall at his level.”

He called on Shala to distance himself from threatening and insulting language and return to debate with employees and unions.

Hoxha explained that they discussed the new Law with Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli and that the latter has expressed his interest for solution of problems at RTK.

“In the framework of debates that the OSCE organised in municipalities with citizens and media persons, where the Union was also invited, in which meetings for the first time we had the opportunity to also face the RTK management and Board same as civil society and media persons, we noted a great interest in particular in that part of the debate where RTK internal issues were being discussed. There we he have noted that citizens are willing to support RTK because they consider an asset of theirs, but at the same time they want transparency, accountability. They want to know what happens with budget and RTK finances,” Hoxha stated.

RTK unionists concerned about debts of millions

(TV21)

Kosovo Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli received leaders of the Workers Union of Radio and Television of Kosovo (SPERTK), Fadil Hoxha and Arsim Halili.

Union leaders expressed their concern regarding debts of millions that the public broadcaster has plunged into, uncontrollable procurement and without financial coverage of external products, double clientelistic salaries, and enormous expenses for salaries and per diems of the Managing Board and megalomaniac managerial staff, including over ten advisors which reach the amount of over 600 thousand euros per year, says a press release issued by SPERTK.

Leaders of this Union also met with LDK, PDK, Vetëvendosje, AAK and Nisma caucuses.

Mustafa: Association cannot take any decision that is not in conformity with Kosovo laws

(Summary of KTV Rubicon show)

The wall in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north was built without permit and it was demolished as such. Issue of this wall was not discussed with the Serbian side, considering that it was an internal issue of Kosovo, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa stated in KTV Rubicon show. He also said that Brussels Agreement envisages construction of the bridge in two roundabouts. Mustafa underlined that there will be flower-vases, and not a wall. He also said that arrangement of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North is a competency of local government and this is applicable through the Law on local self-government.

“The agreement was reached to have free movement of citizens and it is also within the Law on local self-government that they solely arrange that part,” Mustafa said.

As far as establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities is concerned, Prime Minister Mustafa said that it will be established based on the Constitutional Court’s ruling. He said that this issue was never related with construction of the wall.

“We must make its establishment in the framework of Constitutional Court’s ruling. No word or letter will be different from that ruling. In its ruling the Constitutional Court has said that the Association should be established,” he said.

Mustafa also said that there were remarks from the international community regarding acceleration of procedures for the Association.

“The Association cannot take any decision that is not in conformity with Kosovo laws,” Mustafa precised.

He does not see any possibility for Serbs to go beyond Kosovo laws having in mind that, according to him, many of them have respected these laws.

He also spoke about Kosovo-Serbia relations and end of the dialogue with the latter.

“Kosovo independence is irreversible. Serbs only satisfy their appetites by holding their position toward Kosovo,” Mustafa considers.

According to him, they are incapable of acting in this regard. Mustafa stressed that obstacles between the two sides are decreasing over time.

Regarding the end of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, PM Mustafa said: “It is a process and while the process goes on the replies regarding its end are difficult to be given.” Mustafa added that he and President Hashim Thaçi are constantly trying to end this process as soon as possible.

He also spoke about the Minister’s position at the Ministry of Local Government Administration. Mustafa said that for as long as Srpska List does not come up with a candidate, he will not accept Mirjana Jevtic’s resignation.

“I have not accepted her resignation, until Srpska List does not come up with a name,” he said.

He also announced that boycott that Srpska List has made to the Kosovo Assembly is reaching its end. Mustafa told KTV Rubicon show that from the meetings he had with them, he has noted a willingness to return within the week.

“Srpska List might return to the Assembly within the week. From the talks we had, I have noted a willingness of theirs to return,” Mustafa said.

PM Isa Mustafa expressed his contradiction to the idea of academic Rexhep Qosja for territory exchange between Kosovo and Serbia.

“It is a dangerous project. I do not believe this would bring any good to the country. We lose an important part of our territory, and we get nothing,” he concluded.

Mustafa clarified that President Thaçi did not order halting of the Serbian train. He said that it was coordination between all institutions and not an individual order.

He also spoke about Kosovo’s economic growth, saying that it is satisfactory in the region, but insufficient. Mustafa is convinced that unemployment in Kosovo is fewer than 26 per cent.

Referring to demarcation, Mustafa said that it is not issue for taking visas, but it has to do with Kosovo’s sovereignty. Revision of this process, according to him, is important to be professional and scientific. He has no doubts regarding the demarcation agreement, and he stands behind the conclusion that demarcation is alright.