Constitutional court “blocks” talks with the Netherlands (Telegrafi)
RTV Dukagjini quoted sources as saying that Kosovo institutions will not be negotiating with the Netherlands regarding the headquarters of the special court until the Constitutional Court decides on the opposition’s appeal to review the legality of the constitutional amendment that enables establishment of the court. Officials from the relevant Kosovo ministries did not comment saying that the issue is technical not political.
Opposition’s request stops law on special court (Koha)
The paper reports on its front page that, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga cannot announce the law on the specialist chambers and the office of the specialist prosecutor before the Constitutional Court decides on the opposition’s request to annul the constitutional amendment on the special court. Sources told the paper that President Jahjaga was planning to announce the law on Tuesday but then changed her decision after the opposition disputed the constitutional amendment. The paper contacted Jahjaga’s office but they did not comment on the matter.
Hyseni: Kosovo Police ready to follow special court’s orders (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Interior Minister, Skender Hyseni, during a press conference yesterday said that the Kosovo Police is ready to execute the orders and obligations required by the special court prosecutors to arrest all the suspects of this court. Hyseni also said that Kosovo’s application to join the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) is now being reviewed, but he didn’t give any specific date on when the process would be concluded.
Nishani: Kosovo is defending its image with the special court (RTK)
The President of Albania, Bujar Nishani told Albanian Daily News that Kosovo’s liberation war was and will remain one of the most glorious episodes of the Albanian nation. “The Parliament of Kosovo with this amendment took over the political responsibility to defend the image, dignity and legality of this most high ranking institution of the Republic. Public accusations for crimes committed in Kosovo during the liberation war have been made for years, but they were never addressed concretely and never based on evidence. In the judicial doctrine, allegations through accusations are well-known. They should be further investigated and they should be based on evidence,” said Nishani.
Konjufca: PDK threatened its deputies on the special court (Epoka)
Glauk Konjufca, head of Vetevendosje parliamentary group, said in an interview for Klan Kosova that the Democratic Party of Kosovo made some of its deputies change their position on establishment of the special court by threatening that those who voted against would not be included in the election lists. Asked why Vetevendosje did not organize protests this time, Konjufca said that this was already initiated by war veterans and they only helped.
Vetevendosje warns radical actions if Association is formed (Express/KTV)
In an interview for KTV, Vetevendosje’s senior representative Dardan Molliqaj said that Vetevendosje will launch the most radical actions seen in the post-war period if Kosovo’s institutions decide to form the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. Molliqaj said Vetevendosje is ready to block public and private institutions in order to prevent the formation of the Association/Community.
Government rebuts KIPRED poll (Kosova Sot)
Government of Kosovo has issued a statement regarding the findings of a poll conducted by the Kosovo-based think tank KIPRED where the government of Kosovo is shown as one of the less trusted institutions. The poll also found that Kosovo lacks legal norms to determine the level of security threats. The government said it is fully engaged in fulfilment of constitutional and legal obligations to guarantee public order and public safety in Kosovo. “The Government of the Republic of Kosovo ensures the people of Kosovo that the state institutions are committed to maintaining the complete order and security in the country”, the statement reads.
Quint’s support for UNESCO membership (Zeri)
The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Petrit Selimi, yesterday met with the ambassadors and Quint representatives in Kosovo. The meeting was in the framework of consultations on the process of Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO and in other international organizations. “Ambassadors of the Quint confirmed their full support to Kosovo in its efforts to join UNESCO,” noted a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaci, last week sent letters to his 195 counterparts of the UNESCO member states, to inform them about the process and to seek their votes at the meeting of UNESCO’s Executive Board.
Serb Church: Kosovo shouldn’t be accepted in UNESCO (Klan Kosova)
The news site reports that the Serb Orthodox Church will call on the Holy See in the Vatican to lobby against Kosovo’s eventual membership of UNESCO. The engagement of the Serb Orthodox Church comes after Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic called for a campaign against Kosovo’s inclusion in UNESCO.
Shala: Djuric’s letter, interference in justice (Zeri)
The chairman of the Council for the Protection of Freedoms and Human Rights (CPFHR), Behgjet Shala, said yesterday that the request of the Serbian Government that war crimes suspect Oliver Ivanovic be released on bail is interference in the justice system. Shala said he fears that Serbia’s political pressure on the Court might change the decisions taken by EULEX judges.
“Greece considering Kosovo recognition” (Koha)
The recent clashes between Athens and Belgrade could result in Greece moving toward recognizing Kosovo’s independence, the paper reports on page two. The prestigious Greek newspaper Kathimerini quoted foreign policy circles in Athens as saying that Greece is not pleased with Belgrade’s recent international moves with regards to Kosovo and the name dispute of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Ioannis Armakalos, head of the South-East Program at the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policies, told the paper on Tuesday, “We may have reached a point where Athens will have more confidence in following a different approach toward the status of Kosovo”.
Implementation of agreement on vehicle insurance policy starts (Lajmi)
After several failed attempts, the agreement between Pristina and Belgrade reached on 24 June has finally started to be implemented. The vehicles from Kosovo can now enter Serbia with “TPL plus” insurance, which is also valid for the other countries of the region. According to Tanjug, the Kosovo insurance bureau started functioning last night at Jarinje. TPL insurance will cost €40 for one year; however, the KS vehicle plates have to be replaced with temporary license plates.
