Government: Srpska Lista has not conditioned its return to the institutions

(RTK, KTV)

Since its establishment Srpska Lista has challenged Kosovo. Initially they challenged Kosovo with its name, then with its participation in Kosovo’s institutions from which they withdrew and now they are hesitating to return.

However, Government of Kosovo says that Srpska Lista has not conditioned its potential return, KTV reports.

The deputy-Minister of Local Government Administration Bajram Gecaj says that Serbs withdrew for consultations purposes, which he acknowledges that are lasting more than anticipated.

Asked about the public statements of Srpska Lista representatives that they are consulting Belgrade about their future steps, Gecaj said that it is not Kosovo Government issue with whom they consult.

However, the opposition party are sceptical that the Kosovo government will insist not to accept conditions of Srpska Lista, including the quick establishment of the Association of Serb majority Municipalities.

On the other hand, RTK1 quoted AAK MP Daut Haradinaj as saying that Srpska Lista should recognize the new reality in Kosovo and it should return without conditions to Kosovo institutions.

Srpska List will announce their decision about a potential return to the institutions within this week.

Meanwhile, RTK2 reported that the Serbian PM Aleksandar Vucic stated that the decision of Serb representatives to return to Kosovo institutions depends on the fulfilment of conditions they have set to the Kosovo government. 

Balje:  Boycott of Serb representatives is negatively impacting other minorities

(RTK2) 

PDK parliamentary group submitted at Monday’s session of the Assembly Presidency a request for a resolution, as they called it, on Serb genocide against Kosovo Albanians during 1999 conflict.

Serb representatives did not attend the meeting due to the boycott of Srpska Lista whereas Duda Balje of ‘6+’ caucus considers that this resolution will largely damage the Serb community.

Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo Duda Balje told RTK2 that the request of PDK for the adoption of the genocide resolution will be discussed at the next meeting and it will likely be adopted because, as she says, PDK and LDK have enough votes to pass this resolution.

Balje said that it is important to shed light on the fate of the missing persons, but according to her this resolution will damage the Serb community in Kosovo because of the boycott of the Serb representatives to Kosovo institutions.

Moreover, Balje considers the boycott of Srpska List as an immature political act.

“Serb votes are important on issues when two-thirds of votes from minority MPs are needed. However, without Srpska List, the Assembly has adopted the budget, debated about RTK and many other important issues. I think that the Serbs are part of Kosovo society and they have missed important developments because of the boycott”, Balje told RTK2 adding that the boycott of Serb representatives is negatively impacting other non-majority communities.

Following the Assembly Presidency meeting, Speaker Kadri Veseli said that they have not received any official request from Srpska List to return to the Assembly, adding that if such request will be received the decision will be transparent and on the interests of citizens.

Committee on drafting the Civil Code established

(Klan Kosova, KTV) 

Ministry of Justice organized on Monday the first meeting of the Committee in charge for drafting of the Civil Code of the Republic of Kosovo. This activity will be supported by the European Commission, GiZ and USAID.

Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuci said that in cooperation with the international community, Kosovo is establishing a justice system aiming to fulfil the expectation of Kosovars and the international partners.

Whereas, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa emphasized that the Government supports all needed reforms for an independent and efficient judiciary. Mustafa said that the Government decided to establish a team to draft the Civil Code, adding that such a legal document is important for Kosovo.

EU Special Representative in Kosovo Samuel Zbogar outlined that European Union has assisted this sector with over EUR 2 million.

On the other hand, the Chairperson of Kosovo Judicial Council Enver Peci said that the drafting of the Civil Code is one of the key activities in the general reformation of the justice.

Third mobile operator in Kosovo to be from Serbia

(KTV) 

Few days ago the Regulatory Authority of Electronic and Postal Telecommunications (ARKEP) launched a call for new frequency bands, which implies that the procedures for a new mobile operator in Kosovo have been opened, KTV reports.

The tender for the new operator is a result of the Brussels agreement reached between Serbia and Kosovo in September 2013.

But there are many reservations in as it regards the new mobile operator, which is anticipated to be from Serbia.

Visar Azemi of KOSID said that everyone should be entitled to compete in the tender for the new operator, emphasizing that political agreements should not determine the origin of the potential bidders.

Moreover, the introduction of a new mobile operator will damage even more the Post and Telecom of Kosovo (PTK).

Vetëvendosje objected this agreement by saying that the inclusion of a mobile operator from Serbia would damage the current market.

A year ago in Brussels a telecommunication deal between Kosovo and Serbia was reached.

Serbia continuously requested the introduction of Serbian mobile operator in Kosovo saying that Serb citizens living in Kosovo should have their own mobile operators.

However since the end of the conflict in Kosovo, illegal Serbian operators have operated in Kosovo and have heavily damaged the domestic operators. 

RTK Trade Union dissatisfied with the Board

(TV21)

RTK Independent Trade Union expressed concerned that RTK Board did not undertake any action to immediately abrogate the decision of RTK Director General Mentor Shala that dismissed RTK Trade Union chair Fadil Hoxha and deputy chair Arsim Halili.

RTK syndicalists consider this decision as absurd, unacceptable and also against the current laws in Kosovo. RTK Trade Union members said that they will pursue other means against this decision, which they consider as revenge against the dismissed journalists.