UNESCO executive board recommends Kosovo’s membership

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

UNESCO’s executive board decided to open the way to Kosovo’s membership in this Organization. With 27 votes in favour, 14 against and 14 abstains, the board approved Kosovo’s bid to request membership in UNESCO.

The executive board is composed of 58 members, out of whom 32 are representatives of countries that have recognized Kosovo.  Albania formally submitted the application for Kosovo membership to UNESCO.

“The UNESCO Executive Board recommended to the General Conference , the admission of Kosovo to UNESCO, considering that Kosovo agrees to UNESCO’s cornerstones and its ready to fulfil obligations, which  derive from  membership and will contribute in the expenses of the Agency’, reads the recommendation.

For this important process, Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister, Hashim Thaçi, wrote in his Twitter account from Paris, where he was closely following the session. From Paris, Thaçi said that ultimately Serbia must accept the reality that Kosovo is a country.

The membership bid will now be put to a final vote at UNESCO’s general conference which will be held from 03-18 November, when two-thirds of its 195 members need to vote in favour in order for Kosovo to be allowed to join.

The recommendation of the board was commended also by Kosovo President, Atifete Jahjaga, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, AAK Chairperson, Ramush Haradinaj, Nisma për Kosovën Chairperson, Fatmir LImaj and many other public figures.

Serbia will continue to lobby against Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dacic, stated that Serbia must continue its fight against Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO. Dacic said that there are good chances that the UNESCO’s General Conference in November, rejects the recommendation for Kosovo to join this organisation.

“We should not react irrationally, but we must continue our struggle because we have good chances in the General Conference”, said Dacic, in the extraordinary press conference in Paris.

Also, the Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric, reacted against the recommendation of UNESCO’s executive board, saying that this is a decision of powerful countries, which according to him, violate the international law.

He emphasized that Serbia will not give up but it will continue its diplomatic struggle.

On the other hand,  TV broadcasters reported that Serbs staged protest in Gracanica/Graçanicë and Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north against Kosovo bid for UNESCO.

UP Steering Committee dismissed Rector Ramadan Zejnullahu

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

University of Prishtinë/Pristina (UP) Steering Committee decided to dismiss Rector Ramadan Zejnullahu.

Through secret vote, six members of the Committee voted for the dismissal of Rector Zejnullahu.

After the decision of the Steering Committee, Zejnullahu issued a press release, emphasizing that that the decision of the Committee had nothing to do with him or his staff, but with “the idea of reform and progress that we strongly support and the idea of fraud and blackmail that support some powerful people. Today, unfortunately, the latter won”.

On the other hand, in a press release issued by the Kosovo Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) it is stated that “MEST followed with concern recent developments at the University of Prishtinë/Pristina.”

“The decision of the Steering Committee deepens the crisis in university and damages initiatives for reforms for improvement of the quality” reads the reaction of MEST.

While, Kosovo Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Arsim Bajrami has offered his full support for the University, calling constantly to the University authorities for institutional stability and restoring academic order in the university.

“Unfortunately, today the university authorities failed to act with academic and social responsibility, thus allowing narrow interests to be placed above the principles and general interest of the University”, reads the press release of the ministry.

Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga and civil society reacted against the dismissal of Rector Zejnullahu, too.

KTV in its late news edition reported that MEST announced that voting for the dismissal of the Rector of was held without the presence of three members of the Steering Committee of the University appointed by the MEST.

Therefore, the Ministry decided to dismiss Shefkije Islamaj from the position of member of the Steering Committee, due to the failure and negligence to fulfil the duties of the post.

Jahjaga to host a joint meeting of ruling and opposition parties

(RTK1)

Despite the fact that there were no results out of the meetings of Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga with the political spectrum about unblocking the work of the Assembly, Jahjaga is determined not to give up.

Even though opposition political parties said they would not allow the normal work of the Assembly until Brussels agreements are cancelled, RTK learns that Jahjaga will look into the possibility to bring together the Government coalition and the opposition political parties on Thursday and find a solution.

Office of the President did not deny that such meeting might take place. “Leaders of all political parties that are represented at the Assembly have responded to the invitation of the President. Now the meeting depends entirely on the will of these political parties,” the Office of the President told RTK.

Meanwhile, opposition representatives reiterated that they will use again the same measures and tools to block Friday’s Assembly session.

SAA to be signed next week

(Most monitored broadcaster, KTV)         

Kosovo for the first time will have contractual relations with the EU. On 27 October, the EU head of diplomacy, Federica Mogherini and EU Enlargement Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, are expected to sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement between Kosovo and EU.

Kosovo Minister for European Integration, Bekim Çollaku says that with this agreement, Kosovo enters a contractual relation with the European Union. “The signing of SAA is the turning point in the European integration aspect. This will completely change Kosovo’s relations with the European Union”, he said.

Kurti files charges against Kosovo Police officers

(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

Vetëvendosje MP Albin Kurti was present today in the Basic Prosecution in Prishtinë/Pristina.  According to RTK1, Kurti filed charges against the police officers that arrested him during last week.

On the other hand, Thursday is the deadline for Albin Kurti and Albulena Haxhiu to respond to the invitation of the Basic Prosecution in Prishtinë/Pristina for a debriefing related to the suspicion of throwing teargas in the Assembly.

MP Haxhiu said they are not planning to respond to the invitation of the Prosecution.  She denied that she received even an invitation from the Prosecution.

However, the State Prosecution confirmed to RTK1 that they have sent the invitation to Kurti and Haxhiu to come for a debriefing at Prosecutor’s Office on 22 October. While for other MPs, namely Donika Kadaj-Bujupi and Faton Topali, the Prosecution invited them to turn up for questioning on 02 November.

Meanwhile, the Prosecution announced that if the suspects do not respond or appeal the invitation, they will issue arrest warrants.