• UNMIK chief welcomes establishment of Kosovo’s new institutions (Kosovapress)
• US Embassy welcomes formation of assembly and govt of Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo Assembly adopts resolution in support of former KLA leaders in the Hague (media)
• Haradinaj says he will withdraw as leader of the AAK (RFE)
• Hargreaves: Kurti signaled close cooperation and protection of minorities (Kanal 10)
• SL opposes integration of healthcare and education in the north in Kosovo’s system (Kallxo)
• US Embassy: Authorities should find a solution that enables continuation of educational services (Kossev)
• German embassy: We’re closely monitoring situation regarding Faculty of Technical Sciences (Kosovo Online)

UNMIK chief welcomes establishment of Kosovo’s new institutions (Kosovapress)

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of UNMIK, Peter Due, welcomes the establishment of the new Assembly of Kosovo and the formation of the new government. He commended Kosovo’s people and institutions on the peaceful and inclusive process. The statement by UNMIK notes that Due looks forward to working closely with all stakeholders to advance peace, security and prosperity, adding that he encourages sustained dialogue and engagement.

US Embassy welcomes formation of assembly and govt of Kosovo (media)

The US Embassy in Pristina said on Thursday that it welcomes the formation of the assembly and government of Kosovo. “We look forward to working with the new government to advance shared priorities, including regional peace, stability, and mutual economic prosperity,” the embassy said in a Facebook post.

Kosovo Assembly adopts resolution in support of former KLA leaders in the Hague (media)

All news websites reported on Thursday that the Kosovo Assembly adopted a resolution in support of former KLA leaders who are standing trial in the Hague. 90 MPs voted in favor of the resolution which calls for a fair trial. LDK MPs abstained from voting. The resolution calls on the Specialized Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office to ensure the full respect of international and constitutional standards, transparency and accountability and fostering public trust in justice. It also confirms the pledge of Kosovo’s institutions to protect the right to defense for leaders and fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army, including financial support.

Haradinaj says he will withdraw as leader of the AAK (RFE)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj said on Thursday that he will not run for the post of party leader in the upcoming internal elections. After the meeting of the AAK General Assembly, Haradinaj said that the party will hold elections from February 20 to June 6. “I will not run for leader of the Alliance,” Haradinaj said, citing a long time spent as leader of the party, namely since the party’s establishment in 2000, and the party’s poor results in the February 9 elections and the December 28 elections. 

Haradinaj said that so far Ardian Gjini, senior party member and mayor of Gjakova, has announced his candidacy for the post of party leader, and that there could be another candidates too.

Haradinaj also said that he will not run for the post of Kosovo President, and that the AAK has yet to decide on Vjosa Osmani’s reelection to the post.

The news website notes that in the last general elections, the AAK secured seats in the 120-seat Assembly of Kosovo.

Hargreaves: Kurti has signaled close cooperation and protection of minorities (Kanal 10)

British Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, in an interview with the TV station on Thursday, commended constructive relations with Prime Minister Albin Kurti and said he expects continued cooperation in the new mandate.

Hargreaves said that although there were moments of disagreement between the Kurti-led government and the international community, especially about the approach towards the Serb community in Kosovo, he said he believes open dialogue can continue. “Prime Minister Kurti has given very strong signals that he will cooperate closely with the European Union and the Serb community,” he said.

Hargreaves mentioned the progress in the election of the assembly deputy speaker, calling it a positive sign for the functioning of institutions and the constructive dialogue between the communities in Kosovo.

Hargreaves also said that his country would work closely with the Kosovo government to make sure that communication and cooperation protect the interests of all communities in Kosovo. 

SL opposes integration of healthcare and education in the north in Kosovo’s system (Kallxo)

Representatives of the Serbian List met on Thursday in what they called an urgent meeting in Mitrovica North and in attendance were also the mayors of ten Serb-majority municipalities and representatives of Serbian-run institutions of healthcare and education in Kosovo.

The meeting discussed the implementation of the laws on foreigners and vehicles, and the integration of healthcare and education in the north into Kosovo’s system. The participants unanimously opposed the implementation of the laws, claiming that they threaten basic human rights, the right to life, treatment, education, shelter and property. A statement read by the chair of Mitrovica North Municipal Assembly, Ivan Zaporozac, noted that the position of healthcare and education institutions in the north must be resolved through dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and through the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. “We are absolutely against violent and unilateral actions and any other action that would threaten the functioning of these two sectors,” he said.

Zaporozac also said that the Serbian List welcomes the strong and continuous efforts by the Quint countries to find a sustainable and fair solution for the problems that have arisen. “The existing laws are absolutely against the interests of our people and must be amended,” he said.

US Embassy: Authorities should find a solution that enables continuation of educational services (Kossev)

The US Embassy in Kosovo said on Thursday, regarding the notice delivered to the University of Pristina temporarily seated in Mitrovica North calling on it to vacate the premises within 30 days or initiate proceedings to regulate its status with the University of Pristina in Pristina—that it expects the authorities to seek a solution that enables the continued provision of educational services, KoSSev reports.

“We cannot assess the status of the university; however, we expect that the authorities will seek a solution that allows for the continuation of educational services,” the Embassy said.

Earlier, the Rector of the University of Pristina temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Nebojsa Arsic, told Kosovo Online that unidentified individuals in civilian clothing had come to the University Rectorate with a demand that the Faculty of Technical Sciences vacate the building within 30 days or sign an agreement with the University of Pristina in Pristina.

“They brought a document from the University of Pristina stating that the building of the Faculty of Technical Sciences is located on land belonging to the University of Pristina and requesting that, within 30 days, the faculty vacate the premises or enter into some form of contractual relationship with them. We reviewed the cadastral parcels on which the building of the Faculty of Technical Sciences stands. These are ‘Trepca parcels,’ and that building has never been owned by the University of Pristina, not even before the war,” Arsic said.

German embassy: We’re closely monitoring situation regarding Faculty of Technical Sciences (Kosovo Online)

The German Embassy in Pristina told Kosovo Online that it is closely monitoring the situation after the Faculty of Technical Sciences in North Mitrovica was ordered to vacate its premises. The Embassy stated that it is aware of the remarks of Nebojsa Arsic, rector of the University in Pristina temporarily seated in Mitrovica North. “The Embassy has taken note of the statement and is closely following developments,” the Embassy said in its response to Kosovo Online.