US Ambassador expects Assembly session to be called this week (dailies)
The United States Ambassador in Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson, said on Monday that she feels bad if someone felt insulted by her recent strong comments but that she felt they were necessary as political parties were not moving from their positions. “After the statement, I saw that the coalition bloc decided to vote for the candidate of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) for Assembly Speaker. I now expect the PDK to make the next move, that is to call the Assembly session and I believe this will happen this week,” Jacobson said.
Thaci: They understood that blockade does not make sense (Epoka e Re)
Hashim Thaci, the outgoing Prime Minister of Kosovo and leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK,) wrote on his Facebook page that he feels encouraged that the parties of the coalition bloc finally understood that further blockade of establishment of the new institutions does not make sense and cannot be justified. “I regret the time that has been wasted; however, I consider that we as a political party now have to have the political will to create the new credible institutions as soon as possible, in accordance with the will of the people of Kosovo,” said Thaci.
LDK to enter coalition with PDK, if AAK fails to meet request (Bota Sot)
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has less than 24 hours to reply to the request of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) to support their candidate for the post of Prime Minister. The LDK chairmanship will meet today and the Steering Council of this party will meet on Wednesday. The two structures will decide on the party’s course of action if AAK fails to meet the request. Unidentified sources told the paper that if AAK turns down the request, the LDK would enter a coalition government with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and take the post of Prime Minister.
Kosovo with strategy for CoE membership (Tribuna)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers that all conditions for applying for Council of Europe (CoE) membership are in place and although similar statements have been made in the past by Kosovo officials, the Ministry seems to have been waiting for the change of Council of Minister’s presidency to actually present membership application. Bashmir Xhemaj, advisor in Kosovo Foreign Ministry, said that they have been waiting for Belgium to take over the presidency as until now, it was Azerbaijan that presided over the council and “this country has not recognised us yet”. Xhemaj however explained that application does not imply immediate membership in the Council of Europe and that the process could take years.
Preteni: Names of officials suspected of corruption should be published (Koha)
At least two ministries of the Kosovo government are being investigated for corruption. The Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency said on Monday that it has submitted at least two lawsuits for government ministries. The lawsuits are mainly about public procurement in institutions that have big budgets. Hasan Preteni, director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, could not reveal further details about ministries that are under investigation but said that charges are related to senior officials. “If criminal investigations are over and the prosecutor is confident that lawsuits need to be filed against certain people, I think there is no reason why their names should not be published,” Preteni said. Zeri quotes Preteni as saying that it is believed that over 20 senior government officials lied when they declared their wealth to the Anti-Corruption Agency.
French consortium promises €410 million investments in Brezovica (Koha)
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) issued a press release on Monday saying that the consortium “MDP Consulting” has offered a €410 million bid for the Brezovica ski resort project. The consortium includes shareholders from France and Andorra. MTI Minister Ismet Mulaj said at the meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on Monday that the Brezovica complex is the biggest investment project in Kosovo. The committee has accepted the offer of the consortium and the contract is expected to be signed in three months.
