Braathu: All should contribute in the fight against radicalism

(All monitored broadcasters, TV21)

The Summit of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs continued its activities on Tuesday and was focused on the fight against terrorism and radicalism in the region.

Addressing this conference, Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi said that the West should open its doors to young people from Kosovo to prevent radicalism and terrorism in Kosovo.

“As it concerns us, the fight against terrorism and particularly radicalism is linked with the identity of the state. While in other countries, there is discussion about security, we also debate about the identity of the state. We don’t want to be identified as a source country of these ‘fighters’ or the source of such actions. In this aspect we have taken the necessary measures, including the adoption of the Law for participation in foreign wars, the National Strategy and other measures,” said Deputy PM Kuçi.

Meanwhile, the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jan Braathu, said that he will continue to support the Government in implementing the Strategy against terrorism and radicalism.  Ambassador Braathu said that strengthening of laws alone cannot eliminate this phenomenon, emphasizing that all should contribute in the fight against this phenomena.

On the other hand, Daut Haradinaj, the chair of the KSF Oversight Assembly Committee, said that Kosovo needs urgently to join INTERPOL.

“Kosovo needs urgently to be part of INTERPOL and increase cooperation and exchange of information. This is a serious obstacle in the fight against terrorism,” said Haradinaj.

On Tuesday, the Summit concluded its two days of activities in Kosovo. This summit was attended by representatives of the European Parliament, MPs of different EU member states and other officials, RTV21 concluded.

Commission: Kosovo does not lose territory due to demarcation

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

As it was expected, the Commission of experts for measuring the territory of Kosovo concluded that Kosovo does not lose territory from the border demarcation with Montenegro. In a packed hall with maps, books and cadastral files, the spokesperson of this Commission, Tomorr Qela presented on Tuesday the work done by the commission so far.

According to this Commission, which has been established upon the request of Government, Kosovo has 10.905 square kilometres.  Moreover, according to the findings of this commission, Kosovo has 18 kilometres more than it was previously known.

At the presentation, it was stated that the disputed locations such as Çakorri and Bjelluha belong to Montenegro.  Kosovo Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa left the meeting before the presentation ended, while no PDK official was present in the presentation.

Presentation of the draft-report was not attended by representatives of opposition parties and Rugova residents, who have boycotted the work of this Commission since its establishment.

After the presentation, the chairperson of this Commission, Hivzi Islami addressed to the media. He did not tell if the report was legitimate after the remarks made by the members of this commission. He said that he was aware from the beginning that the geographer Fitim Humolli will leave the Commission. Islami considered Humolli as a mailman of opposition parties.

Besides Humolli, two other members of this Commission expressed against the report.  Faruk Bojaxhiu from Kosovo Forestry Agency told KTV that he will not sign this report.  He said that there are 18 parcels, which were managed by this Agency and Pejë/Pec municipality, but, according to him, with the new demarcation those parcels have been transferred to Montenegro.

Remarks and suggestions of the other commission member, Agron Luta, were not taken into consideration at all.

As of Wednesday, this report will be made available to the general public for discussion, while its signature and submission to the Assembly will be done after Friday, KTV reported.

Thaçi: Demarcation to be proceeded to Assembly as soon as possible

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, welcoming the findings of the demarcation Commission, criticized opposition and the ruling coalition PDK-LDK for the delays in ratifying the demarcation with Montenegro.  Thaçi requested from the ruling coalition to submit the demarcation to Assembly within the next few days and urged the political spectrum to unite for a European future.

“The fact that Kosovo political spectrum is not united in issues in the interest of Kosovars is regrettable. Government should proceed the draft law for ratification of the Agreement in the next coming days while MPs should put the interest of the state in front of the personal or party interest and with their vote in favour of this agreement to end the isolation of citizens. Visa liberalisation should happen now and this is a national and state interest, the responsibility to accomplish this goal lies firstly with the ruling coalition and secondly with the opposition parties, who unfortunately have focused all their efforts to block the ratification of this Agreement,” wrote President Thaçi in his Facebook account.

According to Thaçi, several independent local and international commissions have proved that the demarcation with Montenegro is just and that Kosovo will not lose territory from this agreement.

As requested by the President, Kosovo Government pledged to conclude the demarcation process with Montenegro.  Through a press release issued, Government welcomed the conclusion of the Commission that Kosovo does not lose territory from the border demarcation with Montenegro. It called on the political spectrum to join the Commission and finalize the report.

But, Vetëvendosje Movement, chairperson, Visar Ymeri, said that the violent imposition of this agreement only deepens the political crisis in Kosovo and increases citizens’ dissatisfaction. Ymeri again reiterated his stance against the current version of demarcation.

While, the Commission concluded that the Çakorr and Bjelluha are not part of Kosovo, PaL Lekaj from AAK insists that those areas belong to Kosovo. Lekaj threatens with protests if Government resubmits the current Agreement on demarcation to Assembly.

Covering the same story, KTV reported that besides opposition parties there are several MPs of the ruling coalition that publicly oppose demarcation.

PDK MP Shaip Muja said that he will vote against the current version of demarcation.  LDK MPs Adem Salihaj and Shpejtim Bulliqi also confirmed that they will vote against demarcation.

In the meantime, Rugova residents also expressed dissatisfied with conclusion of the demarcation commission, insisting that Çakorr and Bjelluha belong to Kosovo.

Klan Kosova learned that the report of the Commission of experts for measuring the territory of Kosovo will be discussed on Thursday in the Assembly of Kosovo.

NATO: Transformation of KSF an internal issue of Kosovo

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

NATO once again left the military future of Kosovo Security Force (KSF) in the hands of Kosovars, KTV reported.

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Curtis M. Scaparrotti said in Prishtinë/Pristina it is up to Kosovo to transform the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into army, adding that the KSF currently is a professional force capable to carry on its work based on the mandate.

However, he did not say if there will be an agreement with NATO that allows KSF troops to deploy in the north of Kosovo.

“Transformation of KSF is an internal issue but we should also take note that the objective of the organization is stability, initially the stability in the region,” said SACEUR Scaparrotti.

General Scaparrotti said that he has met all local leaders, ambassadors accredited in Kosovo and representatives of security institutions.

According to him, the biggest danger for Kosovo is to shift of its policies from the UN Resolution 1244 and giving up the dialogue.

He reiterated the statements of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that the stability of the Balkans is essential for the stability of Europe.

Albanian and Serb journalists discuss cooperation

(RTK2&RTK1)

Balkan investigative reporting network (BIRN) in cooperation with the EU Office in Kosovo organized a roundtable with representatives of Kosovo main media outlets.  Main topic of this roundtable was the work and cooperation between Albanian and Serb journalists.

RTK1 editor in chief, Xhymret Veliu highlighted the role of Kosovo public broadcaster as it concerns cooperation with media and the commitment to improve inter-ethnic relations.

“We tackle human issues of people who live in Kosovo regardless of ethnicity,” said Veliu.

BIRN director Jeta Xharra stressed the need for more frequent meetings between media to boost cooperation.

Representatives of Serb journalists noted that there is a level of cooperation between Albanian and Serb journalists. However, according to them, this cooperation needs to improve.

Press Council of Kosovo and Kosovo Journalists Association said that they will work in improving the communication between the media.

While representatives of the EU Office in Kosovo encouraged journalists to cooperate and report fairly.

Government to pay expenses of potential indictees of Special Court

 (Klan Kosova) 

Kosovo Government in addition to covering expenses for defending potential indictees of the Specialist Court will cover also expenses for the visits of their close family members during trial proceedings which will take place in The Hague.

Kosovo Ministry of Justice drafted an Administrative Instruction through which specifies that it will cover the expenses for the visits of close family relatives of those indicted by the Special Court for alleged war crimes.

According to this draft Administrative Instruction, family members of those indicted by the Special Court are entitled to one visit every two months in a group of four people. Their visits will be covered for a maximum stay of three days, Klan Kosova reported.