PDK MPs with different positions on special court (Zeri)
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group held a meeting on Tuesday in an effort to persuade its MPs to change their positions and support the establishment of the special court. MP Nait Hasani said that no pressure can force him to vote in favour of “something that is not fair”. “We have 20,000 raped women and no action has been taken,” Hasani said, justifying his stance against the special court. Meanwhile, MP Shaip Muja told the paper that he would vote in favour of the establishment of special court. According to Muja, Dick Marty’s report was built on speculation to undermine the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and therefore he says that it is time to clear these allegations once and for all.
Justice Minister Kuci denies resignation rumours (Gazeta Blic)
Citing sources within the Kosovo government, the news site reports that the Minister of Justice, Hajredin Kuci, is expected to resign from his position, due to major dissatisfaction over the establishment of the special court. Kuci, however, denied the information calling it speculation. He also said that if the non-establishment of the court depended on him he would not hesitate to resign.
Opposition urges parliamentary debate on EULEX (Kosova Sot)
After media published what was claimed to be a confidential report on the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and its relations with Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) officials, the opposition parties said that the Assembly must urgently discuss the matter and take the necessary steps. The head of the Vetevendosje Movement Parliamentary Group, Glauk Konjufca, said that a full investigation and the restructuring of EULEX would be demanded. “Now it is the time to send a strong message to the EU to review once again its mission,” Konjufca said.
Mustafa promises public administration free from political influence (Koha)
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, said on Tuesday that one of the goals of his government was to depoliticize the public administration and to improve its efficiency. After a meeting with Jean-Eric Paquet, the Director for Western Balkans in the European Commission’s Directorate for Enlargement, Mustafa told reporters that his government never aimed to reform the public administration by decreasing the number of staff. “We will free the public administration from political influence and we will focus on improving it and not on removing people from work,” Mustafa was quoted as saying.
Malta supports Kosovo’s integration in EU (Bota Sot)
Maltese President, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, said during her meeting with the Foreign Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, that Kosovo is a state which is proving major determination for integration into the great European family. She added that her state will help in this direction. She added that signing of the Stabilization Association Agreement is an important confirmation for Kosovo’s European agenda.
Hodzic: A very clumsy integration of the north (Epoka e Re)
Adriana Hodzic, the head of Kosovo government’s administrative office in the north, said that the issue of the barricade, known as the “peace park,” cannot be resolved by the two mayors. She added that the River Iber bridge is politicized and that its unblocking requires more support of the central level in Pristina and Belgrade. Speaking about the recent incidents in the north of Kosovo, Hodzic said that she believes the incidents were a clear message for the Police, EULEX and KFOR that here is a lot of work to be done by these institutions and that they have to establish a joint strategy for a mechanism that would be fruitful for the rule of law in the city.
FYROM to hold early general elections in April 2016 (dailies)
The European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, met on Tuesday with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and opposition leader, Zoran Zaev. After a several-hour discussion, Hahn said that the crisis is very close to being resolved, and that most likely FYROM will go to early elections in April next year. Hahn stated that the parties reached an agreement to organize new elections. According to him, details on who will organize the elections and who will lead the Government will be discussed at another meeting to be held in Brussels next week.
