Minority Ministers condition KSF transformation
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV & Klan Kosova)
It seems that transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) to Kosovo Armed Forces is not so easy. Minority community ministers in the Kosovo Government have requested that the constitutional amendments in the security area take into the account their demands for reserved seats. This was expressed by Ministers Nenad Rasic and Mahir Yagcilar.
Regardless that, the Government proceeded to the Assembly the proposals for amending the Kosovo Constitution on the security sector.
Klan Kosova and RTK2 reported that Serb municipal assembly councillors in north Kosovo expressed their concern about establishment of Kosovo Armed Forces, considering it a threat to them and to the entire region. They warned to interrupt their relations with Europeans in case the situation continues like this.
In addition, Serb municipal councillors also reacted against arrest of Serbs in Strpce/Shtërpcë on Monday as well as against keeping in detention of Oliver Ivanovic as a war crime suspect.
Albanian municipal councillors did not attend this meeting, which took place in Zvecan/Zveçan.
Serb municipalities demand independent statutes
(TV21)
Following the issues with inauguration and election of municipal assembly presidents, north Kosovo Serbs now have expressed their disagreement with municipal statutes. They want municipal statutes without Kosovo state symbols.
Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA) is committed not to allow any evasion from the Kosovo legislation.
Sazan Ibrahimi, Executive Director of the Association of Kosovo Municipalities, considers that the demand of north Serbs is concerning.
KIPRED representatives also believe that the demand of north Serbs should be taken seriously by Kosovo institutions. Arjana Qosaj-Mustafa of KIPRED said, “I think that this is just a consequence of the compromises that Kosovo has made so far. We know that they (Serb municipal councillors) took oath by covering logo of the Republic of Kosovo, and it was accepted. What can Kosovo do? Complaining to an organisation, which in this case it is the EU that is in charge of implementing and monitoring the agreement, and which in fact is status neutral itself.”
EU EOM presents final monitoring report
(RTK1)
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) published its final report on local elections in Kosovo.
In the section on election campaign media coverage, EOM found as positive the fact that the public broadcaster RTK during the whole electoral race minimised Government’s coverage down to three per cent, thus making that activities of the governing party at the official capacity not influence the campaign.
In another section, the report highlights that PDK was most covered entity on the news in the Albanian language media. Roberto Gualtieri, observer, said that all media during the elections made a balanced and pluralistic coverage and reporting.
The report findings state that the elections, including north Kosovo, happened in a positive atmosphere, whereas the out-of-Kosovo voting manner was not successful.
The report recommendations include amending Law on General Elections, cleaning up civil register, regulating the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and its role during elections, women’s participation in the election process, and more.
Political parties haven’t discussed dissolving of Assembly
(KTV)
Political parties still have not started consultations on when can the Assembly be dissolved, while June is mentioned as the month when parliamentary elections may be held.
LDK believes that the second half of April will lead to dissolving of the Assembly.
Vetëvendosje Movement (VV) has still not discussed this issue with anybody, while AAK is ready to support any initiative for dissolving of the Assembly.
On the other hand, Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) believes that after failing of the initiatives for bringing down the Government, dissolving has remained the only solution.
