Thaçi and Dacic, neither near nor far, decision 2 April (Koha Ditore)
The seventh round of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbian prime ministers can be summarized as a very long meeting; no details were revealed about the discussions. This round lasted over 12 hours, with trilateral and bilateral meetings, which EU High Representative Catherine Ashton had with both prime ministers. For the first time, Thaçi and Dacic appeared before reporters after the meeting, not to answer questions, but only to make vague statements, which was that they could not say whether they are near or far from an agreement. It looks as if Baroness Ashton’s approach continues to be followed, where if little information is revealed, the sooner the agreement will be achieved. “After we spent a day together, now it is a time for consultation. We need to make sure that what the agreement will be implemented in the field,” said Ashton, announcing that there will be consultations before the next meeting which will take place on 2 April, which “will be the last meeting for these issues being discussed.”
Thaçi and Dacic to New York (Tribuna)
After Brussels, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic will continue their political “battle” in New York. Based on Resolution 1244, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will present his latest report regarding the developments in Kosovo before UN Security Council on 22 March. The Kosovo delegation is expected to be lead by Thaçi, along with Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj. Artan Behrami, spokesperson of Minister Hoxhaj, said that the consulate of Kosovo requested from the chairperson in New York to allow Kosovo to be represented by Prime Minister Thaçi in this meeting. It is also expected that after the UNSG’s speech, both Prime Ministers of Kosovo and Serbia will talk about the dialogue, which is being conducted in Brussels with the facilitation of the EU.
Elections in the north depend on talks (Zëri)
Local elections expected to take place this autumn are also likely to include northern Kosovo, but the determining factor in this will be the talks between Kosovo and Serbian Prime Ministers regarding reaching a possible agreement on the north.
Now when Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga began her first consultations with political parties for setting the date for the next local elections, political analysts believe that these elections will also stretch to the north. They also note that this will however largely depend on the Kosovo-Serbia agreement and, if this is reached by June, then it is possible that the citizens of the north will head out to the polls at the same time with the rest of Kosovo.
Pacolli: Government deceiving citizens (Bota Sot)
Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister Behgjet Pacolli said before students at one of Pristina’s universities that the Government of Kosovo is more engaged in deceiving its citizens. He said it was very hard for him to grasp this when he saw how a Government meeting focused on: how to present certain issues to citizens and how to convince them. “This was catastrophic for me,” he noted. “If I have no arguments to present to citizens in a sincere way, I would never try to mislead them,” said Pacolli.
Appeals Court for the north becomes current again (Koha Ditore)
Three years ago, Nekibe Kelmendi lost her position as Minister of Justice after she rejected to prepare the legal basis for an appeals court in northern Mitrovica. Kelmendi, at the time, believed such a law would create a dual legal system in Kosovo. Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi dismissed Kelmendi and one year later she passed away. Thaçi justified his decision with the need to reshuffle his government.
The late minister, however, told the paper about the real reason behind her dismissal. “The truth about my dismissal is the law on courts. In 2008, we drafted a bill on courts, based on the Constitution of Kosovo, which foresees the creation of an appeals court, and 15 percent of staff would come from minority communities,” Kelmendi told the paper in June 2010, three months after her dismissal. “The international community put pressure on me and told me not to send the bill to the government.”
Unidentified sources told the paper that former US Ambassador Christopher Dell and former EULEX justice component chief Alberto Perduca applied pressure on Kelmendi. They were not available for comment.
The issue of the appeals court has become current again, now that Kosovo has agreed to talk with Serbia about the north. Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi said the work of the court would be based on the applicable law. Sali Mekaj, chairman of the appeals court, said the legal basis does not provide for the establishment of such a court in the north.
Serbs tell Kastrati they can live with Albanians (Epoka e Re)
Mitrovica mayor Avni Kastrati, accompanied by Municipal Director for Defense and Rescue Behxhet Shala, visited Bosnjacka Mahalla, Suhodoll and Kroi i Vitakut on Wednesday afternoon. Kastrati said security institutions and local residents need to maintain their vigilance because the situation is still very sensitive.
Kastrati mentioned ongoing talks between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels and said they reflect the situation in northern Kosovo. “There are groups of Serbs that do not like law and order to be established in the north, and they could react in the event of an agreement for normalizing relations between the two countries,” he said.
The Mitrovica mayor met Albanian and Serb residents. The latter told him that they don’t want to provoke the situation and that they can live together with Albanians.
Kosovo not serious enough for investors (Express)
The heads of the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo stated that Kosovo is not working to attract foreign investments. According to officer in charge at the U.S. Embassy, Kelly Degnan, Kosovo it is not even acting cautiously for local businesses. Degnan said tolerance for corruption, lack of commitment to fight it, and lack of coordination at the central and local levels are among the main factors why foreign investors do not invest in Kosovo. “One of the major problems Kosovo is faces is the perception that investors have on doing business here. Investors want to see a strong rule of law and a reliable regulative environment for business,” said Degnan.
Albanian wounded by Serb police (Bota Sot)
An Albanian was wounded by Serb police in the village of Metehi, Podujeva. The victim suffered gunshot wounds in the arm and chest. Kosovo police said they are informed about the case and they have no suspects yet.
