- Jevtic discusses return to Kosovo with Heads of OSCE and UNHCR (RTK2)
- LDK is waiting for only three more votes to overthrow Haradinaj Government (KTV)
- Civil society: Veseli’s statement for liberation from corruption is rhetoric and hypocrisy (KTV)
- Apostolova and Heads of EU Mission support march of civil society organisations (Klan Kosova)
- Surroi: This dialogue phase suffered a natural end (KTV)
- Government cancels decision on expropriations (KTV)
- Kosnett seeks support for Truth and Reconciliation Commission (RTK)
- Kosovo-US Extradition Treaty enters into force (GazetaExpress)
- Serbian official says Kosovo‘s application is political pressure on Interpol (N1)
News
Jevtic discusses return to Kosovo with Heads of OSCE and UNHCR
(RTK2)
The resigning Deputy Prime Minister for Communities and Returns Dalibor Jevtic met on Tuesday with Heads of the OSCE and the UNHCR Missions in Kosovo, Jan Braathu and Erol Arduc respectively.
At the meeting which was held in Prishtinë/Pristina, it was concluded that besides the Ministry of Communities and Returns, other institutions must also seriously understand the call for helping and making a step forward so that the return process starts to yield the desired results.
“What we want to achieve is honest communication and coordination with the institutions that should help the return process, and that the things we agree on are being implemented more efficiently,” Jevtic said.
At the meeting it was concluded that it is important to do the best with joint efforts, so that those families who are willing can return to Kosovo. A practical way of solving the issues is essential so that the things can move to a more positive direction.
Apart from the return process, the situation of Serb and other non-majority communities in Kosovo and the exercise of their rights were also discussed. Jevtic stressed that an unpleasant event occurred on Monday in Petric village, Klinë/Klina municipality, near Pejë/Pec, when the police prevented Serbs from celebrating the Saint Trinity, and he pointed out that problems occurred also last year in the same place, as this holiday was being celebrated.
“If we want success regarding return and better life of Serbs as well as Albanians, this and similar cases must be eliminated, because we live in a period when we need to build mutual trust and understanding in a different way,” Minister Jevtic said.
The OSCE and UNHCR are extremely important partners of the Ministry of Communities and Returns, and it was these institutions that launched an initiative called “Skopje Process” a few years ago, while initiatives that should facilitate the return process are planned to take place in the future.
LDK is waiting for only three more votes to overthrow Haradinaj Government
(KTV)
Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK believes that it is a matter of days before PAN coalition will be overthrown.
The party officials announced at a press conference that they have been looking forward to the best moment to do so.
MP Nasser Rugova said that 58 signatures have already been collected for the motion to overthrow the Kosovo Government.
Rugova did not respond regarding the fistfight and chairs fight at the LDK conventions.
Civil society: Veseli’s statement for liberation from corruption is rhetoric and hypocrisy
(KTV)
“We have finished our war for independence, but we have not finished our war for the rule of law, for the state as a guarantee of development. Therefore, I stand before you today to pledge that just like I fought for liberation of Kosovo from Serbia, I will fight together with all of you, so that we can liberate Kosovo from corruption, nepotism, and abuse,” Veseli said at the PDK’s festive convention on Monday.
However, civil society members consider the pledge of the PDK leader Veseli for fighting corruption as hypocrisy.
According to them, the PDK leader should eliminate from his party those members who have problems with law.
They say that PDK should take responsibilities, given that the biggest corruptive affairs over the years happened while PDK was in power.
Arton Demhasaj of Çohu says that one cannot fight corruption by statements, but by not exercising influence into the justice system.
The PDK Executive Committee again has elected the party figures who have problems with law, despite Veseli’s claim that in the ‘New Decade” there will be no room for those persons who have troubles with law.
Minister of Innovation Besim Beqaj, Adem Grabovci, Nijazi Kryeziu, and Zenun Pajaziti are accused of violating equal status of citizens and residents of the Republic of Kosovo, in what is known as ‘Pronto’ affair.
Former mayor of Skenderaj/Srbica Sami Lushtaku has been elected member of the PDK Executive Committee, too.
Lushtaku is accused of fleeing the Kosovo University Clinical Centre premises, at the time when he was being tried for war crimes.
Apostolova and Heads of EU Mission support march of civil society organisations
(Klan Kosova)
Head of EU Office/EUSR and Heads of EU Missions in Kosovo supported Tuesday’s march of civil society organisations against the Draft Law on Financing of Political Parties.
The joint statement reads that “yesterday’s protest by civil society organisations in Prishtinë/Pristina is an important reminder of the need for real accountability, oversight, transparency and effective enforcement.”
According to Brussels’ envoys, parliamentary parties should heed demands by civil society to ensure that this law is in line with legal opinion of the Venice Commission, and with this aim, discussed in the Ad Hoc Committee for Strengthening the Electoral Process.
“The EU strongly supports this. It is a key reform under the European Reform Agenda, a recommendation of the EU election observation mission and has been repeatedly highlighted in our annual Kosovo report. The EU has raised its concerns with the Assembly and the Government, including at the recent EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Sub-Committee meeting,” the statement concluded.
Surroi: This dialogue phase suffered a natural end
(KTV)
Veton Surroi, a participant in the negotiations between Belgrade and Prishtinë/Pristina in Rambouillet and Vienna, told Belgrade’s TV Prva that it was necessary that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia resumes as soon as possible, in a different format.
He said that this phase of the dialogue suffered a natural end.
Talking about the tariff on goods produced in Serbia, Surroi stated that that was a manifestation of abnormality, because it is not normal to have 100 percent tariffs.
“This indicates that seven years of those negotiations have been a big waste of time,” Surroi said.
Regarding partition of Kosovo, he said that it is not a solution.
“All solutions that began with the idea of partition led to the calamities of former Yugoslavia. There is no reason that this partition will not be the next calamity,” Surroi concluded.
Government cancels decision on expropriations
(KTV)
Shortly after opposition party Vetëvendosje warned of the Government plans for expropriations on the outskirts of Prishtinë/Pristina worth 55 million, the Government stepped back.
At the meeting on Tuesday, the Government cancelled its decision on expropriation taken on 28 May, which included premises of Dukagjini on the outskirts of Prishtinë/Pristina.
Minister of Finance Bedri Hamza called on the line ministers to justify their decisions.
At the meeting, the Government appointed board directors of seven public enterprises, including those of Kosovo Post and of the Prishtinë/Pristina Regional Water Supply Company, but their names have not been made public.
They were approved by the Government Cabinet, without any vote against.
The Government also approved draft proposal on extension of deadline for legalisation of weapons until 17th September this year.
The Government proceeded to the Assembly the Draft Law on Amending the Law on the Kosovo President.
Kosnett seeks support for Truth and Reconciliation Commission
(RTK)
The US Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Kossnet expressed his support for the work on establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Kosovo.
Through a tweet, he announced that together with his wife Alison met with the Preparatory Team for a future Truth and Reconciliation Commission and said he was impressed with their work.
Ambassador Kossnet sought inclusion, consultation and political support for the Preparatory Team’s work.
“Alison and I met with the Preparatory Team for a future Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I was impressed with recent progress and hope the project will help all Kosovo communities deal responsibly with the past. Inclusion, consultation, and political support will be vital.” Ambassador Kossnet wrote on Twitter.
Kosovo-US Extradition Treaty enters into force
(GazetaExpress)
Kosovo minister of Justice, Abelard Tahiri, has published today a letter signed by the US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, confirming the Extradition Treaty between the two countries, Gazeta Express reports.
In a Facebook post, Tahiri said that he has received the letter confirming that the Extradition Treaty enters into force. According to Tahiri this is an historic deal between Kosovo and United States. “This Treaty marks an historic act in mutual relations between Kosovo and the US and it is a guarantee that the rule of law has no alternative and fight against crime will continue till the end. The historic weight of this Treaty, bearing the signature of the US President Trump, will leave marks in the history and state-building process of our country,” Tahiri said.
Gazeta Express has reported on Tuesday that Kosovo authorities have started arrest of individuals who are wanted by the US authorities or have international warrants.
Serbian official says Kosovo‘s application is political pressure on Interpol
(N1)
A senior official with the Serbian Internal Affairs Ministry (MUP) said on Tuesday that the Kosovo authorities have applied for membership in Interpol for a fourth time.
MUP State Secretary Biljana Popovic Ivkovic said that the re-submitted application is part of continued political pressure on the international police organization, a ministry press release said.
Popovic-Ivkovic is quoted as telling Algerian Ambassador Abdelhamid Shebshub that a possible discussion of Kosovo‘s application would be in violation of Interpol procedure because the organization‘s internal rules say that only UN members or observer states can join Interpol.
According to her, Kosovo‘s application runs counter to UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
