International community calls on political leaders to be generous regarding reserved seats (KTV & Klan Kosova)
International community has asked for the political spectrum in Kosovo to show more generosity to minorities in terms of extending their reserved seats in the Assembly for another mandate. This was stated on Wednesday by the German Ambassador to Kosovo Peter Blomeyer, who said that this was the position of the international community.
Blomeyer called for completion of the election reform as soon as possible, and he called on the President to schedule the date of general elections. Explaining the reasons why Vetëvendosje was not invited to the meeting, Ambassador Blomeyer said that the meeting was held with big political parties only, and also because Vetëvendosje is not changing its position.
However, Vetëvendosje Movement referred to the meeting as non-institutional and as a bargain amongst the political leaders. According to Vetëvendosje, the idea which reportedly derived from the meeting for holding elections in June is a signal that the Prime Minister is trying to prevent breakdown of his political party.
Group for Legal and Political Studies also believes that the Tuesday’s meeting of political leaders is a calculation meeting.
LDK, on the other hand, still has not provided any explanation or response regarding the meeting amongst political leaders, in which the LDK leader Isa Mustafa also took part.
Immediately after Tuesday’s meeting, AAK clarified its position, refuting any possibility of holding general elections in June, before completion of the election reform.
KTV learned that political parties in Kosovo have started intensive preparations for lists containing candidates for MPs, thus signalling that there is a realistic likelihood that extraordinary elections will be held.
Klan Kosova quoted the Central Elections Commission (CEC) chairperson Valdete Daka as saying that she and other CEC members have not been officially informed on any agreement by political party leaders. Nevertheless, calling 2014 as an election year, Daka said that CEC was ready for such a process.
MLGA reluctant to comment on inauguration ceremonies in north (KTV)
Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA) is reluctant to speak about the manner of taking oath by mayors and municipal assembly councillors in north Kosovo. Except a short press release which describes the process as regular, MLGA refused to answer why the logo and the words ‘Republic of Kosovo’ on the oath ceremony papers were covered.
Regardless that, Besnik Tahiri, local government expert of AAK, believes that monitoring from the central Government now is of great importance.
On the other hand, former Minister of local government Sadri Ferati considers that by holding elections in north and by completion of inauguration procedures, integration of north Kosovo is on the right track.
EP discusses draft resolutions on Kosovo and Serbia (Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
The European Parliament (EP) discussed draft resolutions on Kosovo and Serbia, drafted based on reports of the respective rapporteurs Ulrike Lunacek and Jelko Kacin.
The document on Kosovo welcomes the European Commission’s decision on launching negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), as well as the agreement with Serbia on telecommunication and energy.
The draft resolution calls on the five EU Member Countries that have not recognised Kosovo to do so, and it recommends EU Members to reinforce economic relations with Kosovo.
The draft resolution calls upon authorities in Prishtinë/Pristina to promote efficiency of independent judiciary and empowering the rule of law, particularly in fighting organised crime and corruption.
Draft resolutions on Kosovo and Serbia will be put to voting on Thursday.
War crime trial against Radivojevic starts (KTV)
Initial trial proceeding started against Ivan Radivojevic, who is accused of war crimes against Albanian civilians in 1999 in Kosovo. Radivojevic, who was arrested last summer, pleaded not guilty to the EULEX charges.
Radivojevic’s defence lawyers proposed the Unit commander of Serbian Reserve Forces as a witness, but the prosecutor warned that if he agrees to give testimony, he might involve himself in the procedure, due to his commanding role.
