Mustafa: We do not discuss internal issues with Serbia

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

The Western Balkan Prime Ministers’ Summit started on Thursday in Sarajevo. The European Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, said that it the right time for this region to overcome problems that impact on the internal situation.

However, at the beginning of the meeting, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic requested not to refer to all countries present as independent, referring to participation of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.

After this, Vucic said that regardless of the positive impression that the Summit leaves, quarrels and conflicts might happen immediately after it. Vucic listed five unilateral things that, according to him, happened in the last ten days in Kosovo. He mentioned establishment of Kosovo Army, suspension of talks and the decision for real estates of Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in Kosovo to be registered as properties of the Republic of Kosovo.

Prime Minister Isa Mustafa responded to Serbian Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vucic, making it clear to him that Kosovo’s internal issues will not be discussed with Serbia.

“I consider some issues that were raised here today by Vucic as internal issues of Kosovo, where Kosovo has full legitimacy to decide; therefore, I do not see any reason to discuss them here with you,” Prime Minister Mustafa stated in the Summit.

He said that Kosovo continues to remain committed to the regional cooperation agenda.

A press announcement issued by Kosovo Government says that PM Mustafa spoke about complaints of businesses regarding additional procedures with some states, which create new costs.

“I consider that economic cooperation in the Western Balkan countries is crucial for achievement of many goals that have been set in the framework of Berlin Process,” Mustafa stressed.

No institution confirms Thaçi’s statement on “People’s Eye”

(KTV)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi said there is a list of 26 public persons who were planned to be executed.

In an explanation for KTV, his Office said that President spoke about the “People’s Eye” organization, which took over the attack against Azem Vllasi and said it is a terrorist organization.

However, Kosovo President seems to be alone in his statements KTV reported. No security institution confirmed President’s information and they did not want to comment if he harmed any investigation with this information.

In an interview with TV21, Thaçi said these people are products of foreign services.

In Kosovo Police shortly said they have no comment regarding this issue. They did not comment even if Kosovo citizens are endangered by these individuals or the group mentioned by the President.

Prosecution did not want to speak about the case either. A day earlier, Kosovo Intelligence Agency denied this information.

KTV asked the Agency if the President has exceeded his competencies when he spoke about the list for which he said he had received from security bodies.

Delawie reiterates U.S. opposition to Thaçi’s initiative

(Klan Kosova)

The United States Ambassador Greg Delawie once again expressed Washington’s opposition to initiative of President Hashim Thaçi for establishment of Kosovo Army.

In an interview with Telegrafi portal, Delawie said that U.S. were clear that Army’s establishment should be done through changing the constitutional amendments and that disregard of this process might have consequences on U.S. relations with the Kosovo Security Force.

Nevertheless, he said that does not want to speculate as what the consequences might be, because there is still time for the Assembly to reject this draft law.

Opposition is considering this statement of U.S. Ambassador as a proof for President Thaçi’s non-coordination with the international allies, online portals reported late on Thursday.

However, Vetëvendosje MP Rexhep Selimi told Telegrafi portal that they are ready to vote legal changes related to transformation of KSF to an Army.

On the other hand, AAK caucus leader Pal Lekaj says they agree that establishment of Kosovo Army should be done through constitutional changes, but adds that they have waited four years for this to happen.

Asked about the possibility of non-voting by MPs, Lekaj said that “MPs will have their say, each of them with their own free will.”

AAK MP emphasised that as a caucus they will support this draft law whenever it will be submitted to Assembly for voting.

Fajon: Kosovo should not take unilateral action on Army establishment

(TV21)

The European Parliament Rapporteur on visa liberalization for Kosovo, Tanja Fajon, said that Kosovo should not take unilateral actions on establishing its Army.

She recalled the European Union, NATO and U.S. stance regarding this issue.

In an interview with Deutsche Welle, MEP Fajon also recalled Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. She shad that dialogue is to facilitate everyday life of citizens. She also said they will insist on both parties not to quit talks.

OSCE pledges support for projects that improve judiciary

(KTV)

Chairman of the Kosovo Judicial Council, Nehat Idrizi, hosted today a working meeting with the former Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, who is currently Ambassador of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

Through a press release issued it was made known that the representative of Norwegian Embassy in Kosovo, Beata Katarzyna Elyachouti, and the OSCE’s senior legal adviser Sean McHale were present in the meeting, KTV portal reported.

“Head of KJC put special emphasis on talks regarding the ‘ICT CMIS’ (ICT – Information and Communication Technology, CMIS – Case Management Information System) project. This project that is being implemented with the support of Embassy of Norway is of particular importance for the whole system of justice in the country starting from the efficiency, accountability and above all transparency, to the two Councils (Kosovo Judicial Council – Kosovo Prosecutorial Council),” the press release states.

It further says that Ambassador Braathu expressed his satisfaction with the work of CMIS Project and promised that far from the other angle, from the OSCE, he will constantly follow the work of the project in question and that he is willing to support and help in any aspect, both the Project and the justice system. Both sides expressed their constant readiness for cooperation in many dimensions with aim to improve the judicial system in the country.

Jevtic: Srpska List does not give up Association

(RTK)

Srpska List will not give up establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities (ASMM) and what has been achieved with the Agreement in Brussels about it, Minister for Communities and Return in the Government of Kosovo Dalibor Jevtic stated on Thursday.

Addressing the tribune of the Centre for International Public Policy “Views and perspectives of the ASMM,” at the Faculty for Diplomacy and Security, he stressed that this a political stance of Serbs in Kosovo, RTK portal reported.

Stojanovic: Decision on property with complicate Serbian-Albanian relations further

(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK2)

Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Branimir Stojanovic, said that decision of the Government in Prishtinë/Pristina to seize the property of SFRY (Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) and Serbia, is legally ungrounded and it will further complicate the Serbian-Albanian relations.

He told Radio-Television of Serbia that the decision was made ‘semi-secretly,’ it has no legal effect and that it was a one-sided political move for the daily political use.

In the meantime, Srpska List chairman Slavko Simic told RTK2 that the property issue should be discussed in Brussels.

Leader of SDP Civic Initiative Oliver Ivanovic, on the other hand, said that this decision of Kosovo Government will have only political influence, but not also practical effects.

Gradimir Mikic surprised by Kosovo Police behaviour

(RTK2)

Mayor of Ranilug/Ranillug, Gradimir Mikic, said on Thursday that he was surprised by Kosovo Police and Prosecutor’s behaviour after he and his deputy were arrested and released just because they possessed election posters with the image of Serbian Prime Minister and candidate for Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic.

Mikic told Tanjug that Kosovo Police arrested him and his deputy, Vladica Aritonovic, at “Dheu i Bardhë” border crossing while he was driving the official vehicle on return from the meeting he had with Marko Djuric in Serbia.

According to Djuric, Mikic was released on regular procedure and he was accused of inciting national and religious hatred.