EU sees delay in dialogue and implementation of agreements (Koha)
Unnamed European Union officials in Brussels told the paper that there will not be a high-level meeting between Pristina and Belgrade this month, because of lack of progress in the implementation of agreements reached so far. Diplomatic sources in Brussels also said that the working groups on the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities have not been met yet and that Belgrade is using this to criticize Pristina for the lack of results in the implementation of agreements. Some European diplomats also say that the commitment of former Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci for the establishment of the Association/Community needs to be respected as soon as possible. At the same time, EU diplomats hold the Serbian side responsible for failing to implement the agreement on Kosovo’s international telephone code.
Lack of national consensus on special court (Koha)
The Kosovo authorities have publicly admitted that there is lack of consensus for voting on the constitutional amendments that pave way for the establishment of the special court, according to the paper. Kosovo’s Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli could not say on Tuesday when the MPs will vote on the amendments. “We have said on several occasions that we need to preserve our partnership with the international community and at the same time reach national consensus and emerge united from this serious and specific situation. Let me reiterate that what is most important in this case is national consensus,” Veseli told reporters after the meeting of the Assembly Presidency on Tuesday.
KIA informed Kosovo institutions on possible unrest in FYROM (Koha)
The news site reports that Kosovo institutions had knowledge of the involvement of people from Kosovo in a possible armed attack in Kumanovo. Sources told KTV that the KIA in February informed the Kosovo institutions that some people from Kosovo would try to destabilize FYROM. In its report, the KIA describes the fragile situation in FYROM and explains all possible scenarios including “staging a terrorist act, and where the protagonists would be the Albanians.” According to KTV, Kosovo institutions had accurate information about four of the group’s top leaders from Kosovo, but failed to undertake preventive measures. The government was informed about the suspicious movements of these persons, some of whom had a criminal record, including possession and smuggling of weapons.
Zbogar: Kumanovo proved the fragility of the region (Zeri)
The European Union Special Representative to Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, told the paper that the recent events in Kumanovo present the image of a weak and fragile region. “We know what happened over the weekend, but we don’t know what the motives were,” Zbogar said. He also said that the EU urges all parties involved to cooperate in order to clarify what happened. As to the involvement of the people of Kosovo in the clashes in Kumanovo, Zbogar said that such events should not be used for building further complications, including ethnic tensions in this situation. He added that the EU Office in Pristina hails the mature statements of Kosovo leaders regarding these events.
Two FYROM ministers and intelligence chief resign (Epoka e Re)
The Minister of Internal Affairs of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Gordana Jankulovska, Transportation Minister Mile Janakievski and the Director of the Administration for Security and Counterintelligence, Saso Mijalkov resigned from their duties on Tuesday. The paper writes that their resignation comes after the police action in Kumanovo, where eight police officers and 14 members of an armed group were killed.
Will DUI leave ruling coalition in FYROM today? (Gazeta Blic)
Citing unofficial sources, Tetovo-based news site Tetova 1 reports that the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), the Albanian partner in the ruling coalition in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, will leave the government today. According to the news site, this move will mark the final of days of the Gruevski government.
Indictment filed against Aleksandar Jablanovic (dailies)
The Prosecution Office in Gjakova/Djakovica has filed an indictment against the leader of the Serbian List, Aleksandar Jablanovic. The indictment against Jablanovic was filed for the criminal offense of inciting national, racial and religious hatred. Several months ago, Jablanovic was dismissed from the post of Communities and Returns Minister in the Kosovo government after controversial remarks in relation to events in Gjakova/Djakovica. Jablanovic was summoned to appear in court on 22 May.
One person injured in EULEX helicopter crash (dailies)
A helicopter contracted by the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) on Tuesday had an accident during an emergency landing at the Pristina International Airport. The helicopter was on a training flight with a medical evacuating team consisting of a doctor, a paramedic and two pilots. One doctor suffered injuries and was immediately taken to the University Clinical Centre in Pristina. There were no EULEX staff members on board.
Special investigation against Constitutional Court President (Koha)
In one of the front-page stories, the paper reports that Enver Hasani, the President of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo, appeared before the Basic Court in Pristina to testify as a suspect for forging and misusing his position when deciding on the mandate of three international judges of the Constitutional Court. The court session was not open to the public. The investigations against Hasani began several weeks ago when the Kosovo Ombudsperson Sami Kurteshi publicly denounced Hasani for forging the minutes of the meeting on the request on whether President Atifete Jahjaga had violated the Constitution when she extended the mandate of three international judges.
