Assembly Committee recommends to Assembly adoption of the draft law on KSF
(RTK1)
A step forward to the establishment of Kosovo Armed Forces (KAF) was made on Thursday, RTK1 reported.
Assembly Committee on Internal Affairs, Security and Supervision of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), reviewed the draft Law on KSF, proposed by Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi. The Committee chairman Daut Haradinaj said that they will recommend to the Assembly of Kosovo to adopt the draft Law in principle.
“After reviewing the draft Law No. 05 / L-156 on the Kosovo Security Force, the Committee concluded that the draft law on KSF fulfils conditions foreseen by Article 54 of the Assembly Rules of Procedures to be proceeded to the Assembly for first reading and recommends its adoption in principle,” reads the justification of the Assembly Committee.
Review of Draft Law No. 05 / L-156 on the Kosovo Security Force
Hence, as of now when Kosovo will have its own army, is entirely dependent on MPs. However, it is still uncertain when the next Assembly plenary session will be held and if the draft Law will be included in the agenda.
Government announces new dialogue format, opposition calls for early elections
(KTV)
Talks with Serbia will continue but in a new format, announced Kosovo senior Government officials. But, opposition parties say that currently elections are more important.
Through a Resolution adopted by Kosovo Assembly, Prishtinë/Pristina suspended talks with Serbia pending the release of AAK leader, Ramush Haradinaj.
Now Government officials announce resumption of the dialogue at a different level that will lead to the concluding phase.
Kosovo Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj said that the dialogue will continue and that the Resolution was only one of the ways to put pressure against the unjust arrest of Haradinaj.
He says that in his last meeting in Brussels, he spoke about a new dialogue format that would culminate with reciprocal recognition between two countries.
Minister Hoxhaj said that he discussed with the EU Foreign Policy Chief, Federica Mogherini about a new dialogue phase. “This new dialogue phase would support Kosovo’s membership in United Nations and result with reciprocal recognition between two countries, including a long reconciliation process,” said Minister Hoxhaj.
But for opposition parties the early elections in Kosovo are far more important. According to them, the new Government should talk about the new dialogue format.
Additionally, Vetëvendosje Movement (VV), besides calling for an end of the dialogue with Serbia also calls for a revision of all agreements reached so far.
“Negotiations should be terminated entirely. And each agreement reached so far in Brussels should undergo a revision. We call on the Government to end this dialogue, because it resulted to be unsuccessful and against the interests of Kosovo,” said VV MP Albulena Haxhiu.
Pal Lekaj from AAK said that early elections are more important than the dialogue.
“Next days will be important for Kosovo citizens and the changes that will happen. After, the establishment of the new Government, we should think and have a clear framework about the dialogue,” said Lekaj.
Sweden urges Kosovo to ratify demarcation
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
During her visit to Prishtinë/Pristina, Sweden Minister of Foreign Affairs Margot Wallstrom requested from ruling and opposition parties to dialogue about key issues for Kosovo.
Following the meeting with Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj, Wallstrom said that the pressure should be put on political leaders, because, as she said, they should fulfil the remaining visa liberalisation criteria.
“We encourage a better dialogue between ruling and opposition parties. This debate would be important for Kosovo and the region. I know how important visa liberalisation for Kosovars is. Fighting organised crime, corruption and ratification of the demarcation Agreement should be fulfilled in order for Kosovo to get visa liberalisation,” said Swedish FM Wallstrom.
PDK and LDK MPs exchange accusations
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Interpellation of Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa about expropriation of the lands in vicinity of the coal mine in Sibovc triggered a verbal clash between PDK and LDK ruling coalition MPs.
LDK MP Melihate Tërmkolli accused PDK for destroying the energy sector, in particular Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK).
“Certain PDK officials, including few MPs that are lamenting about KEK, are constantly stealing from KEK,” said MP Tërmkolli.
This statement incited the reaction of PDK MPs.
Deputy Assembly Speaker, Xhavit Haliti urged MP Tërmkolli to establish an investigative Assembly Committee and, as he said, to present any evidence to the Prosecution.
But, PM Mustafa, on the other hand, said that each Government should be held accountable for its action in the energy sector. He mentioned that for a period of time certain ministries, Obiliq/Obilic municipality and KEK refused to take the responsibility regarding expropriation of the land.
“Each one should take its part of the blame. I am responsible for this mandate about what we have done and what we haven’t,” said PM Mustafa.
Whereas, Vetëvendosje MP Donika Kadaj-Bujupi, who initiated PM’s interpellation regarding the issue of exploitation of coal and mine of Sibovc, reminded to the PM that in 2009, when Shipitulla and Hade were declared as areas with special interest and numerous illegal construction were allowed, the Government was headed by the same ruling coalition.
Accusations between ruling coalition partners continued during the first revision of the draft law on Training, Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons from Northern Part of Kosovo.
LDK MPs, who received support from other opposition parties, accused PDK for proposing this draft law only for the interest of PDK chairperson, Kadri Veseli.
The interpellation of the Minister of Economic Development Blerand Stavileci was postponed due to the absence of the Minister.
A big number of MPs were absent during Thursday’s Assembly session and MPs lacked interest about the agenda points, KTV concluded.
All agree about early elections, only few take concrete steps
(RTK1)
It seems that Demarcation will not be on the agenda of the Assembly during next week because Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa will be on official visits abroad. Non-submission of demarcation to the Assembly irritates PDK MPs who constantly call for early elections, because, as they say, the Government is not functioning as it should.
PDK MP Shaip Muja said that early elections are the only way out.
While, PDK is putting constant pressure to have early elections, LDK says that this coalition has been reached based on a coalition agreement, which cannot be broken by certain individuals within PDK.
“This issue is clarified by the political leaders because the final decision lies with them. Any other initiative of opposition which is supported by certain ruling coalition MPs is against the coalition agreement,” said LDK MP Armend Zemaj.
Opposition parties, on the other hand, welcome the fragility of the ruling coalition. They are looking forward to the end of the ruling coalition and holding of early elections, although they are aware that this decision lies with PDK.
“This decision depends on PDK chairperson. If they decide to end the coalition, they can do so during the next week,” said Ismajl Kurteshi of Vetëvendosje.
RTK learned that PDK is considering legal options to end the ruling coalition, including the option to support the no confidence motion of Nisma për Kosovën.
Draft Law on Disciplinary Liability for Judges and Prosecutors amended
(KTV)
Ministry of Justice (MJ) amended the Draft Law on Disciplinary Liability for Judges and Prosecutors. Few days ago KTV reported about this draft law, noting that according to this draft law Ministry of Justice had the right to propose disciplinary investigations against judges and prosecutors, if courts or prosecutions do not initiate any actions.
But after 3 weeks of waiting to receive a response from the Ministry of Justice, the latter presented the final draft of this amended draft law.
The U.S Embassy in Prishtinë/Pristina supported the draft law. US Embassy spokesperson Michelle Schohn, through a written response, welcomed the reform of Law on Disciplinary Liability for Judges and Prosecutors.
According to the amended draft law, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel will no longer exist.
While, disciplinary investigations against judges and prosecutors will be carried out by an investigative panel, which will be established from Kosovo Judicial Council and Kosovo Prosecutorial Council.
Only LDK against early elections
(Summary of Klan Kosova – Zona B show)
Klan Kosova’s Zona e Debatit show tackled the current political situation in Kosovo, in particular the calls for early elections and the divisions between ruling coalition partners LDK and PDK.
LDK MP Sadri Ferati said that he is not aware if there is a potential break-up of the coalition between LDK and PDK.
“I do not have any information about any radical change between the ruling partners,” said Ferati. He said that he was not surprised by the calls of opposition parties for early elections.
“Opposition dealt only with two issues: Association and Demarcation. There is no need for early election. I do not have any information that PDK might support opposition’s no confidence motion,” said Ferati.
Vetëvendosje Movement (VV) MP, Ismajl Kurteshi speaking about ways to overthrow the current Governments said that we have been used to see this Government from entering into crisis constantly.
“This Government made big promises which were never implemented and entered into harmful projects for Kosovo,” said MP Kurteshi. He said that he does not know if there will be early elections in June, but emphasized that this Government must go, because as he said, it will be remembered for its incapability to act. Kurteshi said that since the current Government took the power certain Ministries received instructions only from Belgrade and worked for Serbia’s interests.
“This ruling coalition has 90 MPs and complains that opposition with 30 MPs is blocking implementation of its projects,” said Kurteshi.
Ismet Kryeziu, executive director of Kosovo Democratic Institute considered the ruling coalition as a paradox, because, as he said, there were a number of LDK MPs who opposed the coalition from the start.
“We have a Prime Minister that has no power to exercise his influence,” said Kryeziu.
He expressed in favour of having the early elections in June, in order not to have local and general elections at the same time. Kryeziu also blamed the current Government for the visa liberalisation failure, saying that Kosovo remained isolated due to the incapability of a ruling coalition that has 80 votes.
PDK MP Shaip Muja expressed in favour of early elections because, as he said, the ruling coalition is not functional.
On the other hand, Arben Qirezi, a political analyst, said that LDK and PDK have publicly expressed their impatience with each other, noting that the ruling coalition is not functional.
“Kadri Veseli usually acts as Prime Minister. We have open political campaigns by both parties,” said Qirezi. According to him, both parties are waiting for the moment when the coalition will break-up. Qirezi emphasized that early elections should have been held long time ago.
But MP Ferati said that regardless of rumours, the Government is functional.
Commenting the Demarcation issue, VV MP Kurteshi said that LDK pushed forward this issue without trying to get a consensus and ignored other political entities. LDK MP Ferati said that Demarcation is a difficult issue due to the different opinions. However, he agreed with MP Kurteshi, saying that demarcation is an issue that concerns all.
Meanwhile, PDK MP Muja blamed LDK for politicizing the demarcation issue.
LDK MP Ferati and PDK MP Muja exchanged a series of accusations during the show. Initially MP Ferati provoked the situation saying that no PDK representative was present in this show, as, according to him, Muja does not represent PDK. Muja reacted immediately to Ferati calling him a joker. According to Muja, this type of LDK’s non-seriousness brought Kosovo into the current difficult position.
But LDK MP Ferati told Muja not to preach to him
“You don’t represent PDK and no one asks you. If it would be for you, the coalition would have never happened,” Ferati told to Muja.
