Amnesty, employment for “criminals” of the north (Koha Ditore)
No one from the Kosovo Government was able to say on Tuesday whether there would be amnesty for those suspected of committing crimes in the northern part of Kosovo, the paper reports on the front page. Kosovo authorities are obliged to declare amnesty and provide employment for those they have constantly called “criminals”. This is provided in the agreement that Kosovo and Serbia prime ministers signed in Brussels.
Sources involved in the process said the government would make the decision for the amnesty, while the president would have to declare it once it is included as a constitutional category. This will prevent authorities from prosecuting members of security structures that were involved in crimes.
Sources involved in political dialogue said several weeks ago that Prime Minister Thaçi has agreed to declare amnesty for those residents of the north that were continuously engaged against Kosovo’s constitutional order.
“We did not say we will send these people to jail. We only argued that Serbia operates illegally in one part of Kosovo’s territory with a well-organized structure,” a source said. “Everywhere in the world, amnesty is part of the agreement for the solution of problems like this one in the north.”
SAA negotiations for Kosovo, membership negotiations for Serbia (Koha)
The European Commission concluded that Kosovo fulfilled all short term conditions from the Feasibility Study in September last year and as consequence and it has proposed to the Council to authorize the start of negotiations for Stabilization – Association Agreement SAA with Kosovo. However, the decision about this will be made only in June. The Commission recommends also the negotiations membership for Serbia. The Commission has concluded that Kosovo has “demonstrated its commitment in the fight against organized crime and corruption. It has approved necessary legislation and strategic documents.” Also in the report is emphasized that it has been conducted a number of investigations in the cases of organized crime and corruption, while Kosovo has kept good cooperation with EULEX mission.
Jahjaga: Territorial aspirations towards Kosovo, unacceptable (Koha)
The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, said during her lecture at the Oxford University in the United Kingdom that territorial aspirations towards Kosovo are unacceptable. “The Balkans, now, after more than ten years, are different, more consolidated in the vision for the future, despite the occasional sparks that derive from the differences of the nations there,” said Jahjaga.
Kuçi: The EU will interpret the agreement (Tribuna)
“The interpretation of the agreement should not be biased and it will be done by the European Union. Both parties should know that what is written in the agreement will have to be implemented,” Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister, Hajredin Kuçi, said during an interview. Kuçi said anytime the parties provide differing interpretations of the 15-point agreement, the Kosovar side will seek an interpretation from the European Union as mediator.
Germany calls on Council of Europe states to recognize Kosovo (dailies)
Koha Ditore reports that German President Joachim Gauck said that integration gives important economic development impulses for the members. He further requested membership of Kosovo in Council of Europe. President Gauck favoured the political recognition of Kosovo by the European Council. For Kosovo’s further development, integration in the international community is important, said Gauck on Monday in a speech before Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
France calls for implementation of Brussels agreement “without delay” (dailies)
Koha Ditore reports that France was the first to react after the approval from the Kosovo Assembly of the agreement for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Through a press release, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that “it is a turning point and it is an unprecedented step in improvement of sustainable relations between two countries.”
Zbogar: Keeping promises is best way for partners to cooperate (Koha)
Samuel Zbogar, head of the European Union office and EU special representative in Kosovo, commented on the European Commission’s recommendations for EU member states to start SSA negotiations with Kosovo. “The recommendation is good news for Kosovo citizens and the credibility of the European integration process,” Zbogar said. “We knew well in September last year which issues should have priority in the Feasibility Study and Kosovo proved very efficient in solving them one by one. This is how real partners cooperate, they don’t hide real problems; they always seek the best solutions. And they keep their promises. This good news for Kosovo’s European integration process comes on the same day when the EC proposed Kosovo to take part in EU programmes and only several days after the important agreement in EU-brokered dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. I am certain the same spirit of cooperation will be respected in implementing the agreement and in meeting the difficult tasks toward visa liberalization. All processes lead to one goal: Kosovo to be admitted with full rights in the European family.”
Spain “has no reason” to change position on Kosovo (dailies)
The Spanish government said on Monday it sees no reason to change its position on Kosovo even after Kosovo and Serbia reached an agreement for normalization of relations. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said there is no change in position after the European Union successfully brokered the 15-point agreement between the prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia.
Kommersant: Serbia’s real step toward Kosovo’s independence (Koha)
Moscow-based newspaper Kommersant reported yesterday that Serbia has made a real step toward Kosovo’s independence in return for real autonomy for Kosovo Serbs, which paves way for Serbia’s integration in the European Union. The paper noted that Belgrade made “the difficult decision” after Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic’s recent visit to Moscow: “Russia’s position on Kosovo is very pragmatic, even more so knowing that Belgrade conducted negotiations with the European Union.”
Cliff: There is no “Republika Srpska” in the north (Kosova Sot)
In an interview, British Ambassador Ian Cliff says that by accepting the 15-point agreement in Brussels, Serbia acknowledged the reality on the ground. “Serbs in the north should be convinced to accept it. The situation is quite different from the situation in Bosnia. England is interested to investing in mines in Kosovo. The privatization of PTK is transparent,” says British ambassador in Kosovo, Ian Cliff.
