Kosovo may not have say in talks for special court headquarters (Koha)
In a front-page story, the paper quotes constitutional experts as saying that Kosovo authorities may not have a say in talks with the country that will host the special court. The Netherlands is rumoured to be the most likely country and Dutch representatives said they have not had any negotiations with Kosovo authorities, but only with the European Union. Representatives of Kosovo’s institutions did not want to comment on Pristina’s role in the negotiations. Legal experts in Pristina recalled that the constitutional amendment adopted recently by the Assembly notes that the special court can negotiate on Kosovo’s behalf with other countries about the headquarters and functioning of the court outside Kosovo’s territory.
UNSG Ban concerned with delays in establishment of special court (RTK)
In his recent quarterly report on Kosovo, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concerns over delays in establishment of special court by the Kosovo Assembly which he said undermine Kosovo’s image and present lost opportunities to set an example of justice and accountability. The report covers the period between 16 April and 15 July and was sent to the members of the Security Council before the Kosovo Assembly approved the amendment paving way for establishment of special court. Ban further stated that he welcomed the continuation of talks between Pristina and Belgrade in particular with regards to the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities as well as energy and telecommunications. The report is expected to be discussed at the Security Council meeting on 21 August.
Kosovo finds other ways to apply for UNESCO membership (Koha)
The Kosovo government did not send the request for membership of UNESCO through the United Nations. The UN refused to be a mediator in the process, the paper reports on page two. Kosovo now plans to use another party to initiate membership talks first at the UNESCO Executive Board in October and then proceed with the vote at the UNESCO General Assembly in November. Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told Belgrade daily newspaper Blic on Tuesday that the UN has not agreed to send Kosovo’s membership request to UNESCO. “We can now expect Kosovo to directly submit the request to UNESCO. The diplomatic battle is certainly not over,” Dacic said. Kosovo’s Deputy Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi confirmed that the UN refused to be a mediator on the matter. “The UN informed us about their position last week and now in cooperation with our allies we have proceeded with the request which will certainly be discussed at the UNESCO Executive Board in October,” Selimi said.
Selimi to Dacic: Kosovo will join UNESCO (dailies)
Kosovo’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Petrit Selimi, reacted to the statements of Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic that the United Nations has rejected Kosovo’s application for membership in UNESCO. Selimi told Radio Free Europe that such statements are totally incorrect. According to him, the expectations are that in October, UNESCO’s Executive Board will give a positive answer to Kosovo’s application to join this organization. “Kosovo cannot be denied by the UN because it didn’t apply to the UN. The UN has refused to be an intermediary in communication between Paris and Pristina, which now has opened the way for direct communication between Kosovo and UNESCO. There is no doubt that Kosovo’s request will be discussed in the Executive Board in October,” Selimi said.
“Serbia will do everything to prevent Kosovo’s UNESCO membership” (Zeri)
Serbia’s Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vucic, said yesterday that Serbia will do everything it can to prevent Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO, but he admitted that it would be a difficult battle. “It will be a difficult political war, with uncertain results, but we will do everything we can,” Vucic said.
Ruling coalition shaken by PDK hardliners (Zeri)
The paper on its front page reports that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) hardliners have started to express their dissatisfaction with the government coalition, risking sending Kosovo to early elections. According to the paper, the PDK activists think that they are being unjustly removed from institutional positions by the LDK ministers. Sources within the government told the paper that recently the PDK MPs expressed their dissatisfaction with the management of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Trade and Industry. Meanwhile, several LDK MPs stated that they will not vote Hashim Thaci to become Kosovo’s President in 2016.
War crimes in the hands of three institutions (Zeri)
The paper writes that despite the establishment of the special court, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and Kosovo’s Special Prosecution Office (SPRK) will still be dealing with war crime cases. EULEX spokesperson Dragana Nikolic Solomon told the paper that the special court will only address the war crimes allegations arising from Dick Marty’s report, while all other war crimes allegations will be in the competence of the SPRK.
Hyseni: Imams should convey messages of peace (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Interior Minister, Skender Hyseni, during a visit to Gjakova/Djakovica on Wednesday, called on the people of Kosovo to combat terrorism, saying that imams must call for peace and not war. Hyseni said that in Kosovo, the implication in the terrorist organization ISIS per capita is quite serious.
