President Jahjaga appointed CEC members

(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)

The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, appointed members of the Central Elections Commission (CEC).

CEC members, who took the oath before the President, are: Betim Gjoshi and Ilir Gashi – representatives of the Democratic Party of Kosovo; Florian Dushi – representative of the Democratic League of Kosovo; Adnan Rrustemi – representative of the Vetëvendosje Movement; Binak Vishaj – representative of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo; Eshref Vishi – representative of Initiative for Kosovo; Nenad Rikalo – representative of Srpska List, Ercan Spat – representative of the Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo; Bajram Ljatifi – representative of the Coalition VAKAT, and Ergit Qeli – representative of the Egyptian Liberal Party.

Minister Maric avoids media

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

The new minister of the Ministry of Local Government Administration, Ljubomir Maric, took over his duty as minister, but he did not like to appear in front of media, at all.

The ministry invited media to follow the handover of duty from Slobodan Petrovic to Ljubomir Maric, but the latter was not seen anywhere, KTV reported. His predecessor, Petrovic, does not know the reason why Maric has decided to avoid media.

The new minister, Ljubomir Maric, comes from Srpska List and he was the Coordinator of the team for establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo.

The only thing that former minister Petrovic had to say was that Gracanica/Graçanicë municipality is expected to vote for its new mayor on 18 January next year. Petrovic considers this as the most suitable date, although, according to him, this has not been finally set.

Hasani: Someone must be held accountable for situation of justice

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

President of the Supreme Court of Kosovo, Fejzullah Hasani, says that he feels bad and not convenient at all about the situation that Kosovo justice system is in.

According to him, situation in this sector is not good at all, and this has made work efficiency to be far from the desired level.

Hasani mentioned several factors for this situation, including political influence, budget, low number of judges, lack of accountability, and so on. However, he admits that all bearers of justice institutions are to be blamed for this low level of performance. According to him, not enough was done to identify solutions for the problems that this sector encounters for more than a decade.

Not excluding himself, Hasani said that someone must be held accountable for this situation.

Supreme Court President said that in a near future this will cost to Kosovo, as it will have to pay the bill for failures in judiciary, by compensating all the parties that could not fulfil their rights.

The Supreme Court presented data about its nine-month work, January-November 2014, during which period it received 896 cases.

Discussion about media reporting on terrorism held

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

The renowned British nongovernmental organization, Thomson Foundation, held a discussion about the manner that media should report on issues related to terrorism and extremism.

Kjetil Stormark, editor- in-chief at “Hate Speech” from Norway, said that Kosovo can neither be excluded from the global reporting trend, in particular regarding the issues related to ISIS fighters.

On the other hand, Besa Luci, of “Kosovo 2.0”, spoke about her experience with the attack that happened when this magazine published an edition about sex.

Zekirja Shabani, Head of the Association of Kosovo Journalists, mentioned that 24 journalists have been threatened, most of them with their lives.

Shabani said that number of threats for journalists reporting on topics related to terrorism, the religious terrorism in particular, has significantly increased.

Jahjaga to Mogherini: We will form the Special Court

(RTK1)

The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga spoke by telephone with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. President Jahjaga extended an invitation to HRVP Mogherini to visit Kosovo.

A press release issued by the Office of the President, reads that the discussion focused on the formation of the new institutions in Kosovo, and the commitment to pursue necessary reforms to advance the European agenda of the country.

President Jahjaga was quoted as saying that the new institutions in Kosovo are committed to meeting Kosovo’s responsibilities and obligations related to the combat against organized crime and corruption, formation of the Special Court, the continuation of the dialogue with Serbia to normalize relations between the two countries and other reforms, such as the SAA and the fulfillment of benchmarks for the visa liberalization process, as part of the Kosovo’s broader European agenda.

In the meantime, RTK1 also reported that foreign ministers of 28 EU member states met on Tuesday in Brussels. They called on Prishtinë/Pristina to take over its obligations related to many reforms. They are expected to adopt conclusions on Kosovo and Serbia on Wednesday.

Jablanovic: More than 2.000 IDPs interested to return to Kosovo

(RTK2)

In an interview with Radio Kosova in Serbian, the Kosovo minister for return and communities, Aleksandar Jablanovic, said that more than 2.000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are interested to return to Kosovo.

Jablanovic added that the strategy for the return of internally displaced should be significantly amended in line with the current conditions.

Moreover, Jablanovic said that the return process would be even more sustainable if IDPs would return to areas where some institutions have already been established.

European Union concerned about illegal migration of Kosovars

(KTV)

The EU member states’ representatives in Kosovo discussed the issue of the rising numbers of Kosovo citizens leaving the country with the aim of travelling to the West, including by illegally crossing the border into the EU.

Through a press release issued, the EU Office in Prishtinë/Pristina informed that Thomas Gnocchi – Acting Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, said the EU’s asylum system exists for people that flee persecution or serious harm in their own country and need international protection.

According to him, in the case of Kosovo, there is very little chance that asylum applications will be accepted.

“The EU notes with concern the involvement of organised and criminal trafficking groups that seek to profit from the desperation and the considerable steps some Kosovars are willing to take to get into the EU. In this respect, we call on the Kosovar authorities to engage strongly to tackle these criminal groups.

The incoming Government needs to tackle the underlying push factors for this migration. People need jobs to have a future. In particular those that feel marginalised and discriminated against, especially non-majority groups, need the championing of the Government. Kosovo,” reads the release of the EU Office in Kosovo.