Kuçi: Elections may postpone visa liberalisation
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
It appears that general elections expected to be held in Kosovo and elections expected to be held at the European Parliament this year are to blame that Kosovo will not be granted visa liberalisation in 2014. According to Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi, those elections may affect liberalisation.
Kuçi, who is also Minister of Justice, after the meeting of Joint Rule of Law Coordination Board, said that nevertheless, Kosovo was on the right track regarding the visa liberalisation process.
However, opposition political parties believe that the Kosovo Government is the only culprit for postponement of the visa liberalisation process. Opposition parties consider that Kosovo is not isolated by Europe, but by its own Government. Opposition party representatives reminded to the Government officials on the passport affair and the EUR 1.4 million, which, according to them, extremely harmed the process.
Talking about the visa liberalisation process, the EU Representative Samuel Zbogar said that it was difficult for him to give dates. However, Zbogar thinks that Kosovo is moving towards meeting the requirements in order to have a positive recommendation, and then everything depends on the Member Countries.
With regard to EULEX’s executive role in Kosovo, Kuçi said that the Mission’s mandate was being negotiated, and proposals from Prishtinë/Pristina and Brussels have been made. According to him, initially a national compromise will be reached, followed by a compromise in the Member Countries.
On the other hand, the EULEX Head of Mission Bernd Borchardt said he was happy with the Mission’s fight against corruption. He mentioned as examples the trials against Ilir Tolaj, Ramadan Muja, and Fatmir Limaj.
“I don’t know your definition of big fish. I am not a fisherman, nor is it my hobby, but I am happy that prosecutors and judges have been successful in trying almost 400 cases,” Borchardt said.
Haradinaj: We should work quickly to hold elections in June
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj said that if we want elections in June, then we must work quickly.
Haradinaj does not consider it dangerous if reserved seats for minorities in the Kosovo Assembly are extended for another mandate.
Haradinaj made these statements following his meeting with Menduh Thaçi, the leader of Albanian Democratic Party in Macedonia. Haradinaj and Thaçi discussed the events that are expected to take place this year in Kosovo and Macedonia.
Screening of Chapter 35 starts in Brussels
(RTK1)
Screening of Chapter 35 on Kosovo has started in Brussels as part of negotiations for Serbia’s EU membership, and which is reserved for the process of normalisation of relations between Prishtinë/Pristina and Belgrade.
The screening analysed achievements in the dialogue process so far, and defined challenges that await Serbia in this process.
The Serbian negotiation party refused to disclose details from the meeting, while the negotiation leader on Chapter 35 Aleksandar Vulin stated he expected that Brussels will appreciate what he referred to as legitimate interests of Serbia. Vulin admits that Chapter 35 is the first one in the history of membership negotiations in Brussels. According to him, through this Chapter Brussels will monitor the dialogue, and he promises that no new issues except those in the Prishtinë/Pristina-Belgrade dialogue will arise.
Vulin also refuses to define what Brussels implies by a negotiation framework, which provides signing a legally binding document between Serbia and Kosovo, which will lead to a comprehensive normalisation of relations between the two countries.
HRW criticises human rights situation in Kosovo
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Human Rights Watch (HRW) published its annual report on human rights in the world for 2013. The chapter on Kosovo of this report outlines achievements in relations with Serbia, but also the weaknesses of leadership in governing the country, upon which it was requested to reinforce the rule of law state.
The report reads that human rights situation in Kosovo continues to remain weak. It adds that during 2013journalists and human rights defenders were subject of threats and assaults.
Fifteen private enforcement agents took oath
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The first fifteen private enforcement agents in the Republic of Kosovo took oath on Wednesday. The ceremony was organized by Ministry of Justice.
Justice minister Hajredin Kuçi said that another completion of the justice architecture in Kosovo is happening with taking oath by these agents.
Kuçi said that private enforcement agents will help in decreasing of Kosovo court backlogs, since, according to him, half of backlogs are linked with their enforcement.
Two more month detention for Drenica Group
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Presiding judge decided to extend detention to war accused members of Drenica Group for two more months. Tomë Gashi, defence lawyer of Sylejman Selimi, said that the EULEX judge made this decision without any reason.
“I consider that the extension of detention is punishment without trial against Sylejman Selimi and his fellow fighters, because since the beginning of the case there has never been any legal or justice reason for setting and extending detention, which has been happening since 31st May 2013,” Gashi said.
According to Gashi, justification of the judge that defendants may leave Kosovo and may influence witnesses has turned to a stereotype which nobody in Kosovo believes in. Gashi announced to appeal this decision at the Court of Appeals.
