Mogherini: I wish Assembly approves Special Court
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
More and more stakeholders are requesting from the Assembly of Kosovo to finish its part for the establishment of the Special Court. This message was conveyed by Federica Mogherini, during her first visit to Kosovo in the capacity of the EU High Representative.
She also spoke about the integration processes of Kosovo during her visit, stressing that this will be an important year for Kosovo since the Stabilisation Association Agreement (SAA) will be signed during the summer. She also expressed full support to PM Mustafa that the EU is a partner of Kosovo and that it is ready to move forward, at least politically, with the process of visa liberalisation.
“I believe the Assembly shall have two thirds of votes for approval of the Special Court because that is in line with last year’s promises and a good way to move ahead,” Mogherini said in a joint press conference with Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.
On the other hand PM Mustafa used this occasion to announce that he had a phone conversation on Wednesday evening with the Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, the first one between them.
PM Mustafa stated that he had a phone conversation with PM Vucic and discussed several issues and that they agreed to remain in touch and see the possibilities for quick resolution of some issues that may be resolved directly between the parties.
EU HR Mogherini welcomed the Kosovo’s readiness for dialogue with Serbia. She described the last meeting between Kosovo and Serbia as tensed in some moments.
Mogherini also meet with the President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, opposition representatives and Kosovo minister for foreign affairs Hashim Thaçi. From non-majority communities, Mogherini met only with the Srpska List representatives.
Meanwhile most TV stations noted that EU HR Mogherini referred to Kosovo as a ‘sovereign country’ during a lecture at National Library in Prishtinë/Pristina.
Mogherini replied to a question of a Serb student from the auditorium as saying that the dialogue happens between two sovereign countries, referring to the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia which is mediated by her.
The Serbian student also asked Mogherini when the Serb Association of Municipalities will be in the EU agenda. EU HR Mogherini replied by saying that Association of Serb Municipalities will not be in EU’s agenda, since according to her, the EU is only a facilitator of the dialogue and will not interfere in the internal issues of the two countries, KTV reported.
Agreement reached on dissolving of “Civil Protection”
(KTV, Klan Kosova, RTK1)
Government of Kosovo announced that on Thursday afternoon with the mediation of the European Union an agreement was reached for the dissolution of the so-called structure ‘Civil Protection’.
According to RTK1, the Minister for Dialogue Edita Tahiri said that the agreement that was reached between the three parties, namely Kosovo, Serbia and the EU, is very important because it ends the illegal structure “Civil Protection” and enables integration of its former members into the Kosovo institutions.
The agreement envisages the dissolution process of this para-military structure, the process of integration of individuals in the civil institutions of Kosovo, specifies the obligations of the parties and also determines the timeframes of implementation, RTK1 reported. According to Tahiri, this agreement must be implemented by 1 September 2015.
MPs discussed about the strike of judges
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
MPs of the Assembly of Kosovo expressed concerned with the strike of judges. They have urged the Government to fulfil the requests of judges’ in order to avoid the accumulation of the cases. MPs also discussed about the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) and requested from the minister of justice to disclose the gangs that have captured this council, as it was stated by some prosecutors.
Strike of judges has entered on its 18th day and this issue has incited a debate at the Assembly of Kosovo. AAK Chairperson Ramush Haradinaj said that the judiciary cannot be functional as long as it faces so many issues. Haradinaj also said that there are many delays in the justice sector, mentioning the Chief State Prosecutor issue.
Whereas PDK MP Zenun Pajaziti noted that the strike of judges has impacted the accumulation of cases in courts, emphasizing that this will be evaluated negatively in the EC Progress Report.
Meanwhile the judges are determined not stop the strike until their requests are meet.
On the other hand Nisma MP Valdete Bajrami requested from the minister of Justice Hajredin Kuçi to reveal the gangs that have captured the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council, accusations which have been made by Prosecutors’.
During Thursday’s session the Assembly appointed Bekim Sejdiu as a judge of the Constitutional Court. 64 out of 89 MPs present in the Assembly voted for him.
Kosovo Assembly also decided to postpone the appointment of Kosovo Ombudsperson for Friday’s session.
RTK discharges criticisers from Trade Union
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
RTK Trade Union chair Fadil Hoxha and deputy chair Arsim Halili have been dismissed. The decision was taken by RTK management under the justification that both employees have damaged RTK’s image. Hoxha and Halili consider their dismissal as revenge of the RTK management, because according to them, they have continuously denounced the violations and misuse within RTK.
RTK Trade Union Chair Fadil Hoxha said that this decision is taken one day after the presidency of RTK Trade Union requested from Assembly to dismiss RTK board and management and to open room for a general investigation in RTK in order to evaluate the real situation within RTK.
Meanwhile, the dismissed editor Arsim Halili said that the decision for his dismissal was taken because he denounced the misuse that was done within RTK. He called on the Assembly of Kosovo to undertake measures.
A number of RTK employees gathered in front of RTK building to express solidarity with Hoxha and Halili.
Association of Kosovo Journalists reacted to this decision. Through a press statement AKJ noted that the decision of RTK Director General has not a solid base for dismissal.
On the other hand all TV stations reported that Kosovo Assembly on Thursday discussed about the situation in Kosovo’s public broadcaster. AAK MPs requested the establishment of an investigative commission that would investigate the work of RTK; however LDK considered the request of AAK as a provocation for the work of the Assembly whereas PDK expressed against this request as well.
The request for investigation of RTK’s mismanagement was supported by Vetëvendosje and Nisma për Kosovën MPs.
Debate about women’s participation in security institutions held
(TV21)
Kosovo women in security institutions was the topic of a discussion organized under the Week of Women activities.
On this occasion, it was concluded that the women representation in security institution is not at a satisfactory level.
Women are represented in Kosovo Security Force (KSF) with 8.1 per cent whereas in Kosovo Police (KP) with 11.1 per cent.
PDK MP Ganimete Musliu expressed dissatisfied by this representation, adding that women should work together to reach their goals.
Kosovo Police director for Gjilan/Gnijlan region Elmina Mahmuti said that her engagement in this sector was not an easy task. Mahmuti stressed that if women get organized and help each other they can achieves great successes.
Whereas, the head of Kosovo UN Women Flora Macula considers that women have limited access in decision making processes. Macula said that gender quota is necessary and that it should be included in all sectors.
Meanwhile Norwegian Ambassador to Kosovo Jan Braathu said that despite the fact that Kosovo became a state recently it has marked significant progress in the security sector. He underlined that there is no reason why women should not be further included in the security sector
