New round of talks to be held on Tuesday

(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

Technical teams of Kosovo and Serbia met on Monday in Brussels to finalize the Agreements which are expected to be signed on Tuesday by the Prime Ministers of Kosovo and Serbia.

The Agreement on establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities and the Agreement on free movement on Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Bridge are the most difficult topics.

Despite the fact that both parties continue to work in approximation of the technical issues, the competencies of the Association of Serb Municipalities continues to be a disputed point.

Serbia insists that the Association must have executive competencies while Kosovo is determined not to accept any executive role that would be assigned to the Association.  This was confirmed to RTK1, by Valon Murtezaj, political advisor of PM Mustafa. He said that both sides have the political will to reach agreement but there are still differences.

As it regards the competencies of the Association, Murtezaj said that Kosovo is firm on this matter. “Kosovo does not accept executive competencies to the Association” Murtezaj underlined.

However, everything is expected to be finalized on Tuesday, during the meeting between Kosovo and Serbia Prime Ministers, Isa Mustafa and Aleksandar Vucic, facilitated by Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Kosovo and Serbia is expected to reach Agreement on energy, telecomm, establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities and the Agreement on free movement.

Tahiri: We are about to reach an agreement on the Association

(RTK1)

Kosovo minister for dialogue, Edita Tahiri, said that technical teams of Kosovo and Serbia, which met on Monday in Brussels, have come closer to an agreement regarding the establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities.  Tahiri said that the Agreement might be reached on Tuesday’s meeting in Brussels between Kosovo and Serbia Prime Ministers, Isa Mustafa and Aleksandar Vucic.

Minister Tahiri stated to RTK1 that everything will be in compliance with the Constitution of Kosovo.

“On Monday we have met with Serbian technical delegation, to discuss about the Association, on implementation of the agreement on energy and removal of barricades. We are about to reach an agreement related to Association. As we said earlier we will accept an agreement which does not foresees executive competencies for the Association. All the progress has been made in accordance with this. Everything remains open during the prime minister’s meeting,” she said. 

One month detention on remand for prosecutor Vahide Badivuku

(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

Prosecutor Vahide Badivuku from the Serious Crimes Department of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Basic Prosecution, suspected of misuse of official duty or authority, has been sentenced to one month detention on remand by the Basic Court in Prishtinë/Pristina. The Court also sentenced to a month detention on remand the two other suspects involved in this case. The defence team will complain against Court’s ruling.

Prosecutor Badivuku together with two other arrested middlemen, are suspected of the criminal offence of bribe-taking, misuse of position or official authority, as well as exercise of authority.

Twelve judges and nine prosecutors under investigation

(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)

The Office of the Disciplinary Counsel (ODP) is investigating twelve judges and nine prosecutors suspected for conflict of interests, biased ruling of cases and violation of ethics code. During 2015, ODP reviewed over 270 complaints against prosecutors and judges.

The Director of the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel (ODP), Zef Prendrecaj said that during 2015, his Office has requested the suspension of three judges and five prosecutors and in two other cases his Office requested the dismissal of two judges.

On the other hand, the civil society considers as worrisome the involvement of judges and prosecutors in such criminal offences.

Ombudsperson Jashari pledges to enhance the role of this institution

(KTV)

The Institution of the Ombudsperson in Kosovo has been ignored frequently, and the recommendations issued by this Institution have never been addressed, but the new Ombudsperson pledges to change this approach.

Kosovo Ombudsperson, Hilmi Jashari promises to be more persistent and work more to ensure that their recommendations are implemented or otherwise, as he said, the existence of the Ombudsperson will be questioned.

Besides the negligence from the institutions, the Ombudsperson has problems with the location of this institution, despite the fact that this is one of the criteria for visa liberalisation and also one of the criticisms to Kosovo institutions highlighted in the last EC Progress Report.

But differently from the institutions, the civil society is supportive and cooperated with the Office of the Ombudsperson.

Albert Krasniqi of Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) said that the approach of the Institutions depends a lot on the authority of the Ombudsperson.

Krasniqi highlighted several cases, when in cooperation with the Ombudsperson they achieved to return for revision several laws which were considered as non-constitutional.

Haradinaj warns leaders about border demarcation with Montenegro

(Most monitored broadcasters, Klan Kosova)

AAK chairperson, Ramush Haradinaj is determined to oppose the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro. Haradinaj reiterated his stance against the agreed border demarcation, during a meeting with citizens and AAK activists near the border with Montenegro.

Haradinaj called on Prishtinë/Pristina authorities not to sign the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro, because, as he said, this agreement harms the interests of Kosovo.

Vetëvendosje carries out symbolic action against Government

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Vetëvendosje activists sprayed anti-Government graffiti at the Government building in Prishtinë/Pristina on Monday afternoon following reports that Prime Minister Isa Mustafa awarded his son a tender. “Tender for sons, Association for Serbia!” was the slogan sprayed by the activists at the Government building. According to media reports Isa Mustafa’s son, Besnik Mustafa, won a tender for servicing a Government vehicle.

On the other hand, PM Mustafa reacted in his Facebook account, saying that “making news out of this is foolishness and nonsense, because it is not news if some mechanics work and repair a vehicle”. 

Molliqaj considers Srpska List as a Chetnik formation

(RTK2)

Following the statement of the Kosovo deputy Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic, that Vetëvendosje is a fascistic organisation, Vetëvendosje Secretary Dardan Molliqaj reacted as saying that Srpska List is a “Chetnik formation” established by the current government, RTK2 reported.

Molliqaj again warned that Vetëvendosje will spare nothing to stop the establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities.