Petrovic: Serbs’ turnout in elections will be higher than expectations
(Klan Kosova, RTK2, RTK)
Deputy Prime Minister Slobodan Petrovic is convinced that turnout of northern Serbs in the November 3 elections will be much higher than the expectations in Kosovo. Petrovic, who is the leader of the biggest Serb political party in Kosovo, reconfirmed the Kosovo government’s position that unification of Serb list for elections in north does not serve democracy, and that it lowers the motivation of Serbs to participate in the elections. “More alternatives in the elections more will the citizens’ motivation be increased to take part,” Mr Petrovic said during his visit to the north.
On the other hand, Head of the Administrative Office in north Adrijana Hodzic said that the local citizens were confused, since they are receiving confusing messages both from Prishtinë/Pristina and from Belgrade. “I must emphasise that the elections scheduled to be held on 3rd November are not imposed by Prishtinë/Pristina. They are part of the Brussels agreement, where Serbia had an active role, as well. Therefore, this should be a clear sign for northern citizens to take part in the Kosovo’s institutional system,” Ms Hodzic said.
Hodzic, who is a resident in the north, is concerned about the security situation in the area. Consequently, she considers that beginning of implementation of the agreement is necessary.
In order to ensure a large turnout of Serbs in the November 3 elections, Deputy Prime Minister Petrovic continues visiting municipalities where Serb community lives. Besides to the visit paid to the Administrative Office, he continued meetings with citizens and various representatives in the north, who are willing to take part in the elections.
Road in Rudare still blocked
(All monitored broadcasters, RTK&KTV)
The road in Rudare in Zvecan/Zveçan municipality, which links Mitrovicë/Mitrovica with Leposavic/Leposaviq, continues being blocked.
RTK reported that a EULEX pre-trial judge at the Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Basic Court, upon the request of a EULEX prosecutor, ordered one month of detention on remand for Zarko Veselinovic, while Slobodan Repic was released from police detention. Both defendants are facing charges of attempted murder and unlawful use of a weapon related to an incident in December 2012, and Veselinovic was further charged with one count of unlawful possession of a weapon.
The judge considered that there was sufficient risk of tampering with evidence by Veselinovic, especially given the fact that during detention he contacted third parties warning them about criminal proceedings. Furthermore, the judge established that there is a risk of flight due to an attempt to evade capture during his arrest on 29 July 2013.
Following the Court decision for one month detention for Zarko Veselinovic, local Serbs have announced to increase the number of road blocks.
EULEX officials say that the blocked road does not affect much the Mission’s access to the north.
IMC reacts to RTK story
(RTK)
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) reacted to the story which was aired on RTK news edition on Tuesday evening. According to the IMC director, the delay in finalising Draft Strategy on Digital Broadcasting is not a negligence caused by IMC, but it was caused by a delayed appointment of the IMC members.
In its letter, IMC states that it has started drafting process of the Draft Strategy on Digital Broadcasting, in coordination with all stakeholders, including RTK as the public broadcaster, which has a certain role and mission in this aspect.
IMC announces that the public consultation phase has begun on 22nd July and it ends on 9th August 2013. IMC expects to receive as much feedback as possible that will be seriously considered in a public hearing prior to submitting the Draft Strategy to the government.
Meanwhile, a strong debate on the digitalisation process in Kosovo is going on. Kosovo was the last country in the region to start this process. The cost is expected to be from EUR 25 to 30 million. The deadline for completion of this process is 15th June 2015. This process may be implemented by the public broadcaster, as it was done by many public broadcasters in Europe.
Assembly adopts visa liberalisation laws and Bill on Zym
(All monitored broadcasters, RTK)
Kosovo Assembly members adopted the legislation package on visa liberalisation. By adopting this package, the Assembly fulfilled its obligations to the EU.
With a majority of votes, the MPs also adopted Bill on Zym as a cultural heritage protection zone.
However, some of the MPs opposed the content and the way how the Bill was drafted. Liburn Aliu of Vetëvendosje said that the Bill was simply a copy-paste of the Law on Velika Hoca/Hoçë e Madhe.
Daut Haradinaj of AAK, who proposed the Bill, said that the budgetary implications of the Bill are only EUR 40,000 a year.
