Fajon and Lunacek call for speeding up visa liberalisation for Kosovo
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Members of the EU Parliament (MEPs) Tanja Fajon and Ulrike Lunacek called for speeding up visa liberalisation process for Kosovo.
They accused the European Commission of prolonging presentation of experts’ reports, but they also said that Prishtinë/Pristina authorities should do more in fulfilling the criteria for getting the visa liberalisation as they have not met all the requirements.
Krasniqi ready to resign
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Chairperson of National Council of Initiative for Kosovo (NK) Jakup Krasniqi once again expressed readiness to resign his post as the Kosovo Assembly Speaker, but only if it is requested by his former party, PDK.
However, PDK is not intending to request Krasniqi’s resignation. Adem Grabovci said that more important tasks await PDK.
Mustafa and Limaj discuss elections
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The LDK leader Isa Mustafa and leader of Initiative for Kosovo (NK) Fatmir Limaj discussed elections. A press release issued by LDK reads that in this meeting the leaders discussed further actions until general elections. Both leaders agreed that political entities and institutions should work with commitment, in order for elections can be appropriately prepared, so that they can be fair and democratic.
Mustafa and Limaj also agreed that all political entities should pursue the same agenda of actions.
CEC certifies north Mitrovica/Mitrovicë repeated elections
(RTK2&TV21)
The Central Elections Commission (CEC) certified final results of the early mayoral elections in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north held on 23 February 2014. They confirmed that Goran Rakic of the Civic Initiative Srpska won the elections.
In the meantime, RTK2 reported that Kosovo and Albanian Central Election Commissions will sign a Memorandum of Cooperation on 10 March.
RTK2 staff quits RTK independent union
(RTK2)
Thirty-seven staff members of RTK2 have sent their decision to RTK Independent Union on quitting this Union.
“By joining the Union we planned to associate for protection of work interests and our rights, as provided by RTK laws and guidelines. Your activities are getting more and more politically motivated, whereas we as staff members employed by a media outlet do not have the desire or the goal to become anyone’s political minion,” the letter of RTK2 staff member reads.
Roma children attend school in Serbian
(KTV)
Social assistance from the Republic of Serbia has attracted Roma community in Gjilan/Gnjilane not to get integrated into Kosovo’s educational system. Although those children live in Kosovo, Serbian is their primary language at school, and most of them cannot even speak Albanian. Moreover, they attend lessons in a school called “Vuk Karadzic”. All their primary textbooks are in Serbian, although a curriculum in their language has been developed for them.
Those children are not aware why they are not taught according to the curriculum in Albanian. “In our school we learn Serbian and English. I don’t know why we are not taught Albanian, but in fact I can’t speak any Albanian at all,” said one of the schoolchildren. “I also study in Serbian language. I enjoy my time here, and I can speak a little bit Albanian,” another child said.
All teachers of those children belong to Serb community, but none of them was willing to speak before cameras.
Deputy Minister of Education Usmen Baldzi said that Ministry of Education has developed curriculum on Romani language, history and culture, but it is up to them to choose in which language they will attend lessons.
Property declaration for public officials begins
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The process of regular property declaration for public officials began on Monday. Public officials are obliged to declare their property to the Kosovo Anticorruption Agency in line with the legislation. The Anticorruption Agency reminds that according to the Law, property declaration begins on 1st March and lasts until 31st March.
Those public officials who declared their property upon their appointment since 1st January 2014 are not obliged to present also their regular annual declaration.
The Anticorruption Agency calls on public officials to present to their institution gifts received in 2013, and then each institution separately shall submit copies of the gifts to KACA.
The Anticorruption Agency calls on all senior public officials to declare their property within the deadline, in order to avoid possible sanctions as provided by law.
