Assembly adopts the Law on reorganization of certain enterprises
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Assembly of Kosovo adopted the law on certain public enterprises in its first reading; consequently it avoided Trepça mining complex acquisition by the state. 64 MPs voted in favour, four were against and two abstained from voting.
The opposition boycotted the session, as it is against changes in the first draft law.
Presenting the draft law, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, said that its adoption would mean deviation from Trepça liquidation, and it is given necessary time for reorganization of this mining complex. According to him, everything will be done in line with Kosovo laws.
LDK, PDK and Srpska List MPs voted in favour of deviation from the Assembly regulation, in order to also adopt this law on second reading at Monday evening.
In the later news editions, KTV reported that with 67 votes in favour, three abstentions and no vote against, the Assembly adopted the Law on reorganization of certain enterprises and their assets in the second reading.
With this voting, Kosovo Government gave up from its control over Trepça, KTV reported.
Trepça Serb employees protested against Kosovo government’s decision
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Serb employees of Trepça mining complex in Zvecan/Zveçan, Leposavic/Leposaviq and Zubin Potok staged protests against Kosovo Government’s decision to transfer the ownership of this enterprise to authorities in Prishtinë/Pristina. Protestors said that they will use all legal and democratic means to prevent this from happening.
Dusan Dragovic, head of the Trade Union of Trepça mining complex in north, said that if the arguments and the views of the Serbian government are not accepted, they will take further steps and use all the legal and democratic means to meet their demands. Moreover, Dragovic proposed that the issue of company property, change of ownership and organization of Trepça in north is urgently included in the agenda of talks in Brussels.
Additionally, Goran Rakic, the mayor of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north municipality said that local government authorities in north of Kosovo fully support the demands of Trepça employees, which according to him are aimed at protecting the Trepça mining complex.
Employees of other public enterprises from Mitrovica/Mitrovicë and Zvecan/Zveçan, as well as numerous citizens joined the protest in Rudare. The road between Leposavic/Leposaviq and Prishtinë/Pristina was closed in Rudare during the protest.
Zbogar and Cliff against Trepça’s liquidation
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21, RTK1)
Head of the EU Office in Kosovo Samuel Zbogar said that the dispute over Trepça should be solved within Kosovo institutions with the involvement of Serbs participating in the government and Assembly. Zbogar said that he is against Trepça’s liquidation, as, according to him, thousands of jobs would be lost.
Zbogar said that having mind that there are Serb representatives in the Government of Kosovo, this issue should be discussed internally and solutions should be found within the system.
The United Kingdom Ambassador to Kosovo, Ian Cliff, also considers Trepça issue as complex. He said that a solution which takes the interests of Serb employees of this enterprise into consideration must be identified. Moreover, he noted that every decision should be approved by the Special Chamber of the Supreme Court of Kosovo.
On other hand KLA war veterans demanded from government not to surrender to Serbian pressure in relation to the decision about Trepça. Through a press release issued, the Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Association of KLA War veterans said that the law on Trepça should be adopted swiftly, and not be postponed. According to them, Trepça is a national treasure of Kosovo, and it should be managed by institutions of Kosovo.
Jablanovic publically apologizes for his statements
(All monitored broadcasters, TV21&KTV)
In a press conference staged at the Kosovo Assembly premises on Monday, minister of return and communities at the Kosovo Government, Aleksandar Jablanovic, apologized to mothers of Gjakovë/Djakovica missing that felt insulted by his statements.
“As the minister of this Government, I want to use the opportunity and express regret to all those women that lost their family members during the 1998-1999 conflict in Kosovo. I do not want to see statement be used as a pretext for protests and riots. I have never insulted the victims, and I did not have this aim, although some mothers felt offended. Today, I apologize to them,” Jablanovic.
At this conference, he did not accept journalists’ questions.
“Mother’s Call” Association reacted, TV21 reported. Nysrete Kumnova, Head of this Association, said that Jablanovic’s apology seeking is not accepted by any means, and that protests will continue until he is dismissed from his duties.
At the beginning of January this year, Jablanovic called Gjakovë/Djakovica protesters as savages.
