Kosovo Assembly refuses to debate on situation in FYROM
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Vetëvendosje proposal to discuss recent developments in Kumanovo, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), in Thursday’s plenary session, did not find the support of the two ruling parties – PDK and LDK.
Coalition MPs considered that armed incident in Kumanovo is bedimmed and they lack necessary information; therefore, as such, according to them, it cannot be discussed at the Assembly of Kosovo. The PDK and LDK caucus leaders, Adem Grabovci and Ismet Beqiri, shared the same opinion about Vetëvendosje’s proposal.
Irrespective to this refusal, Vetëvendosje in coordination with other opposition parties will call interior minister Skender Hyseni to motion to clarify his statement given to media about Kumanovo incident.
Zbogar: Vote against Special Court would hurt Kosovo’s sovereignty
(RTK1)
The European Union Special Representative in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, once again urged Kosovo lawmakers to vote in favour of Special Court’s establishment.
According to him, any vote against this Court would send Kosovo back, before the supervised independence period.
Furthermore, he said that vote against the Special Court would also hurt the sovereignty of Kosovo.
“If the vote is no and Kosovo rejects the establishment of Special Chambers, that would send Kosovo back, before the supervised independence and others will decide for Kosovo’s future,” Zbogar underlined.
EUSR Zbogar made these statements is a lecture held for Faculty of Philosophy students, where he also spoke about visa liberalization process and economic situation in the Kosovo.
Ban: Establishment of Association of Serb Municipalities crucial
(RTK2, Klan Kosova)
The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday welcomed the resumption of Prishtinë/Pristina-Belgrade dialogue and the agreement on the judiciary, noting that establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities is one of the crucial outstanding issues.
In his regular quarterly report on Kosovo, Secretary Ban called on both Prishtinë/Pristina and Belgrade politicians to take all necessary steps to faithfully implement the entirety of the agreements reached so far.
He also welcomed Kosovo Government’s decision to make economic reforms, rule of law and engagement in promotion of trust between communities in Kosovo.
On the other hand, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic Serbia expressed his trust in the United Nations and UNMIK. He expressed this during a meeting in Belgrade with the Head of UNMIK Farid Zarif.
Eleven houses for Istog/Istok Serb returnees to be constructed
(RTK2)
Minister for communities and return Dalibor Jevtic visited Maksic family in village of Osojane and Romanovic family in village Tuqep of Istog/Istok municipality.
Maksic family has lived for the last ten year as tenants in Osojan village whereas the Romanovic family since their return in Tuqep village in 2013 have lived in a container. Ministry for communities and return has started construction of new houses for both these families.
While visiting these families Minister Jevtic said that eleven houses for returnees have started to be constructed in Istog/Istok municipality. Moreover, he said that since he took over the ministry sixty families have accepted to return, and he expressed his hope that this positive process will go on.
After visiting the families, Jevtic meet with the Mayor of Istog/Istok municipality, Haki Rugova. Jevtic and Rugova spoke about good cooperation between the ministry and the municipality which resulted with the implementation of the return process.
Second Compact Agreement to foster the rule of law signed
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Another pact was reached for reinforcement of rule of law in Kosovo. Ministry of Justice of Kosovo, the EU Office in Kosovo and the EULEX Mission signed the second Compact Agreement which aims at strengthening police, customs, correctional and judicial institutions across Kosovo, which will help to satisfy the requirements of Kosovo’s visa liberalization and EU accession inspirations.
The Compact Agreement also calls for enhancing Kosovo’s anti-corruption capacities and its ability to fight organized crime, while remaining vigilant, as it is stated, to address inter-ethnic crimes.
EULEX Head of Mission, Gabriele Meucci, welcomed the agreement as a vital step on the way to further enhance the rule of law in Kosovo.
UK Ambassador welcomes establishment of War Crimes Department
(TV21)
The United Kingdom Ambassador to Kosovo Ruairí O’Connell welcomed the decision for establishment of the War Crimes Department within the Special Prosecution of Kosovo (SPRK).
In a meeting with Kosovo Chief State Prosecutor Aleksandër Lumezi, Ambassador O’Connell said that organized crime must be fought.
Lumezi, on the other hand, said that fighting of corruption and organized crime remains the main challenge.
