Talks between Kosovo and Serbia continue
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The talks between the delegations of Kosovo and Serbia which began in Brussels on Monday morning and were put on hold for several hours due to the obligations of the EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini’s, resumed late on Monday.
KTV in its late news edition reported that both parties are in their final phase of reaching deals for energy, telecom, Association of Serb Municipalities and the Peace Park on Ibër river.
Kosovo PM Mustafa expressed optimistic that agreements would be reached before his official visit to Germany scheduled for Tuesday.
Meanwhile, before the talks resumed in Monday evening hours, Kosovo PM Mustafa told RTK1, that Kosovo delegation had long discussions with their Serbian counterparts on basic principles leading to establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities. Mustafa confirmed to RTK1 that they are close on reaching an agreement on the establishment Association of Serbian Municipalities
Thaçi: Kosovo will establish Special Court
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Through the Austrian newspaper Der Standard, Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi assured internationals that Kosovo’s institutions are committed to establishing of Special Court, even after Friday’s vote against its establishment.
“The Special Court is our instrument to once and for all shut the speculations and accusations that are directed against the state of Kosovo and our supporters,” Thaçi told Der Standard, expressing his confidence that Kosovo institutions will be the ones to establish the Special Court.
The Kosovo Government also pledges that it will not stop its efforts to establish the Special Court. Government’s spokesperson Arban Abrashi told TV21 that if not this week, than during the next one there will be another opportunity to vote for the Special Court at the Assembly of Kosovo.
He said that local institutions will not allow establishment of Special Court by the UN Security Council. According to him, this would result with major political and economic consequences.
On the other hand, KTV reported that the ruling parties are looking into the possibility of re-proceeding the Amendment 24 of the Constitution that opens way to Special Court’s establishment.
Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli confidently stated that this will happen, but he did not set a day when this constitutional article will be brought again to MPs for voting. Regarding this issue, Veseli started meeting Assembly caucuses to identify a consensual solution but far from media glare.
After the meeting, Veseli said that an additional decision will be taken soon because Kosovo partners, US and Europe, should not be disappointed. Nonetheless, opposition parties are against and they insist that Kosovo Government cannot re-proceed the initiative for constitutional changes to the Assembly.
Government expects from Speaker Veseli to return Special Court to voting
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Procedurally, the Government and the Assembly might return the constitutional amendment that creates the legal ground for establishment of Specialized Chambers and the Office of the Specialized Prosecutor to voting. This can happen because a situation such as the failure of voting is not stipulated with the Assembly’s work regulation.
According to the Office of PM Isa Mustafa, this regulation might only be interpreted by the Assembly Speaker and together with the Assembly Presidency he might return Amendment 24 to voting.
At the Constitutional Court said that have issued a verdict about this matter and their work ended there.
“Ask the Assembly about this, as this is their issue now,” the Constitutional Court’s spokesperson told KTV.
At the Assembly were neither able to say how it is possible to return to voting a constitutional change for which MPs once voted against it.
“I cannot respond without receiving the material from the Government,” was the brief reply of Assembly’s Secretary Ismet Krasniqi.
On the other hand, monitors of Assembly’s work consider this as a serious violation of parliamentary practices.
Ambassador Bosch clarifies his statements
(Klan Kosova)
After being at the spotlight for his statements made at the Kosovo Assembly while the Special Court was being discussed and his actions in filling street holes, the Dutch Ambassador to Kosovo, Robert Bosch, made a clarification through his Twitter account.
He said that no matter what he says and does, he has Kosovo’s best interest in mind and never means to offend. He apologized for misunderstandings that have been created.
“If perceived so, I am sorry for misunderstanding,” Bosch wrote on his Twitter account.
Assembly to establish particular committee for SAA
(Klan Kosova)
The European integration process has increased the work volume of Kosovo Assembly. Furthermore, developments in this process have pushed the legislative to establish an additional committee particularly for the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).
This is expected to happen if the draft law that is being specially drafted for the Assembly. The draft law was reviewed on Monday by the Kosovo Assembly committee for mandate, immunity and regulation.
The draft law, which is also expected to ensure budgetary independence for the Assembly, has been proceeded to the legislation committee. It will also be sent to Government to give its opinion about it.
Gracanica/Graçanicë needy families to move in their new flats
(RTK2 & Klan Kosova)
Based on a call made over the course of last year, the representatives of the Ministry for communities and return and the Municipality of Gracanica/Graçanica municipality signed contracts with beneficiaries for use of flats.
However, the problems immediately emerged as some of the flats are already being resided in illegal manner.
Minister of communities and return, Dalibor Jevtic, said that the issue of usurped flats will be solved according to law.
Mayor of Gracanica/Graçanicë municipality, Vladeta Kostic, said that the municipality he leads will continue to construct other buildings for the needy.
