EC Progress Report on Kosovo published
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Kosovo has not moved a step forward since last year. This is at least stated in the European Commission’s 2014 Progress Report on Kosovo. Fighting of corruption, judiciary independence, public procurement issues, administration reforms and improvement of electoral reform remain a challenge for Kosovo.
After handing over the Report to Kosovo President and Prime Minister, the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in Kosovo Samuel Zbogar presented the content of this report in a press conference.
Zbogar said that although Kosovo marked progress in some points, such as dialogue with Serbia, there is a lot work to be done.
“There is still a lot of work to be done here in Kosovo and Kosovo has no time to loose. Four months after successful elections, the country is at an impasse. The ability or readiness of the political elite to solve problems is a setback. Kosovo is already feeling the consequences of the delay in forming institutions and there is a backlog for the Assembly and Government to work on. So presenting this report and progress in the past year, my appeal goes to your leaders to put the interests of Kosovo and its people first and to find a way forward,” he said.
Zbogar said that in this report EU expressed its disappointment with non-establishment of country institutions for four months now. According to him, political party leaders should identify a solution and come out of the political deadlock that directly impacts on Kosovo’s path toward EU.
Zbogar made it clear that European Union will not influence on current political situation in the country.
EUSR Zbogar said that the most critical point is related to amendment of the Constitution, in order for Kosovo to allow Special Tribunal’s set up, which is being kept hostage due to non-establishment of institutions.
Jahjaga: New institutions must implement Progress Report shortcomings
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
President Jahjaga stressed that the new institutions must urgently implement the commitment for reforms and to address the shortcomings identified by the EC 2014 Progress Report, press office of the Kosovo President’s Office reported.
“This report evaluates the recognition of the achieved progress of Kosovo in fulfilling the European reforms in the last year. Kosovo is pledged that the challenges identified in the report to be addressed with the highest seriousness from all the institutions of Kosovo,” President Jahjaga was quoted as saying.
Thaçi: EC Progress Report realistic
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Irrespective to many deficiencies identified in functioning of main institutions of the country, the outgoing Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi seemed to be very pleased with what was written in this year’s Progress Report.
He said that EC Progress Report presents the situation realistically, while he considers the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) an achievement, as well as progress in meeting all criteria of the visa liberalization roadmap.
Thaçi made these statements during Government’s regular meeting held on Wednesday.
Prosecution and courts do not treat denounced journalist cases with priority
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Twenty journalists have been threatened in different ways during this year in Kosovo. Among these threats there were also threats with beheading for Kosovo journalists.
“Despite the recent threats that are being made through social media, journalists have also been physically beaten,” stated Vehbi Kajtazi, Koha Ditore journalist.
“They say, do not take these threats seriously because they never happened before. This is what worries me most, as I have the feeling that it should be waited for someone to carry out the assault that he threatened with, and only then take the threat seriously,” said Artan Haraqija, a recently threatened journalist.
In the meantime, acting minister of interior Bajram Rexhepi mentioned the cases when institutions acted rapidly. He mentioned the threat case against KTV journalist Mefail Bajqinovci and efficiency of rule of law bodies in identifying the perpetrator.
“Based on the experience so far, the main violation of freedom of speech and media freedom is the non-institutional regulation of journalism as an institution, in general,” said Ombudsperson Sami Kurteshi.
Fisnik Korenica of the Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) said that EC 2014 Progress Report also shows that was no improvement in media field, either in relation to journalists’ safety, access to information or the overall conditions of media market.
It was concluded that state institutions, including prosecution and courts, do not treat denounced cases by journalists with priority.
Norwegian Ambassador to Kosovo Jan Braathu expressed his surprise with the manner how threats against journalists are tried to be relativized. He said that threats against journalists should not be underestimated and they must be taken seriously.
Journalists said that disinterest of institutions to prevent threats against journalists has forced them not to report their cases.
Representatives of the Association of Kosovo Journalists (AKJ) called on prosecution and courts to look at threats and attacks against journalists with priority.
Brovina: I will not take part in session convened by VLAN Bloc
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
Consultative meeting convened by the chairperson of Assembly constitutive session Florina Brovina ended without an agreement about Thursday’s session of the Kosovo Assembly.
Brovina said that she will not take part in the session convened by VLAN Bloc parties, with justification that this session was neither convened nor prepared by her.
Different from earlier consultative meetings called by Brovina, which were boycotted by VLAN Bloc parties, Vjosa Osmani took part in Wednesday’s meeting. The LDK MP Osmani, who represented 62 MPs that have signed the request for continuation of the Assembly session on Thursday, said that she explained the stance of VLAN entities about Thursday’s session.
Osmani said that they were looking at the possibility of asking the Constitutional Court to clarify the existing verdict, namely point 127, on what should happen in case that PDK fails to elect the Assembly Speaker.
Several IDP houses burglarized in Klinë/Klina village
(RTK2)
Several IDP houses in Grapc village, municipality of Klinë/Klina, have been burglarized. Unidentified burglars stole several electric ovens, refrigerators and other home appliances. Doors and windows of the burglarized houses were also demolished. The returnees, which houses were burglarized, live only temporary in this house, Radio Gorazdevac reports.
Radonja Magic, leader of Grapc village, confirmed to RTK2 that four houses were burglarized.
Through a press release issued, Kosovo minister for communities and return Dalibor Jevtic harshly condemned this act. He called on security institutions to increase security measures and avoid similar incidents.
