Kosovo signed Stabilization and Association Agreement with EU

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Kosovo signed the Stabilisation Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union. On behalf of the EU, the agreement was signed by the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini and the Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations at the EU Commission, Johannes Hahn while on behalf of Kosovo, the agreement was signed by Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and the Minister for European Integration, Bekim Çollaku.

After signing the agreement, PM Mustafa said that 27 October is one of the most important days for Kosovo. He expressed his hope that the next step would be visa liberalisation.

“This agreement seals Kosovo’s European path. It is the path of strengthening democracy and building the rule of law, the path to political stability and economic prosperity. The path of concluding the transition to a functioning market economy and to peace and stability in the region and a road to find political solutions to issues with our neighbours”, said PM Mustafa.

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hashim Thaçi, said that Kosovo has a guaranteed European perspective. He said that Kosovo will continue to implement all criteria’s and democratic reforms and step in the next phase, namely the visa liberalisation.

On the other hand, Kosovo Minister for European Integration, Bekim Çollaku said that all the necessary steps have been taken to implement the agreement.

“Kosovo citizens merited today’s formal act of establishing contractual relations with the European Union. We are thankful to the EU for keeping its promise and ensuring European future for Western Balkans, including Kosovo”, said Minister Çollaku.

While, the EU High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the EU Commission, Federica Mogherini, said that a lot of work has been done by both parties, and it is good that the SAA was finally signed.

“We expect this to enter into force as soon as it is possible. After this, there will be many goods for Kosovo people and the European Union, for stability and integration of the region. It is a good moment,” she underlined.

The Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations at the EU Commission, Johannes Hahn, said that signing of SAA conveys a powerful indication for Kosovo’s European path.

The Stabilisation Association Agreement was negotiated from October 2013 until May 2014; while the Agreement is expected to enter into force one the first half of 2016, following ratification.

US Embassy, EU Office and President Jahjaga congratulate Government on signing of SAA

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

U.S. Embassy in Prishtinë/Pristina congratulated the Government of Kosovo on signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).

“Once approved by the Assembly and implemented, the SAA will provide tangible benefits to the people of Kosovo.  It represents real progress on integration into European and trans-Atlantic institutions”, reads the press release of the US Embassy.

EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative and Embassies/Offices of EU Member States in Kosovo congratulate the people of Kosovo on signing Stabilization and Association Agreement with European Union.

“The Stabilization and Association Agreement represents an important milestone for Kosovo’s European future. Once ratified by the European Parliament and the Kosovo Assembly, the SAA will deepen the political, economic and trade ties between the EU and Kosovo. It will, from then on, form the main framework for the relations between the EU and Kosovo, further preparing Kosovo on its European path. The SAA will also lead to a more predictable business environment, with better safety for both domestic and foreign investors, which is expected to create more jobs for the Kosovo people”, reads the joint press release which also criticizes the last actions of the opposition parties.

“There are many democratic ways and tools for the opposition, to make their voice heard and using violence is not one of them. We urge all political parties to seize the opportunity of the signature of the SAA to return to the political dialogue within the institutions and to reaffirm their commitment to the European values” the press release reads.

Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, on the occasion of signing of SAA between Kosovo and EU, said that through this agreement, Kosovo today commences its irreversible journey to membership in European Union, in the family of states which share the values of freedom, democracy, equality and rule of law.

Jahjaga underlined that Kosovo has a long journey ahead, which requires lots of hard work from us until we reach the final membership target.

“Kosovo’s benefits are multiple, especially in incitement of foreign investments and establishing of best possible conditions for sustainable economic development of the country”, Jahjaga said.

While, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) attributed the signing of SAA as a success of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.

“The successful work of the Government, headed by Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, is giving its results in the integration process and soon we expect to receive positive news also about the visa liberalization process”, reads LDK’s press release.

Also, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) welcomed the signing of SAA but stressed that this act is a result of several generations of Kosovo governments and thus fore is an important step.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and President Bujar Nishani also congratulated the Government of Kosovo on signing the SAA.

All TV channels reported that AAK has expressed its support for the ratification of SAA in Assembly while Vetëvendosje is still undetermined if it will support the ratification or not. 

Next Assembly session on Monday; Opposition determined to block it again

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Assembly of Kosovo Presidency decided to call the plenary session next Monday. Speaker of the Assembly Kadri Veseli and caucus leaders requested more security from the relevant security institutions.

Next Monday, the Assembly of Kosovo will hold its plenary session but the responsibility for normal flow will not be any longer a sole responsibility of the legislative but this responsibility has been a delegated to the security institutions in the country.

Assembly Speaker, Kadri Veseli, said that the Assembly unjustly carried out the main burden so far and now, according to him, is the time for those holding the posts to take over the burden and not have the posts only for the privileges.

Speaker Veseli said that all the officials responsible for security in the Assembly of Kosovo should take the responsibility or, as Veseli said, they should make room for others who are willing to take the responsibility.

Moreover, Speaker Veseli said that ‘dangerous items to the life of MPs’ have been brought to the Assembly, adding that there are doubts that the MPs were under the influence of narcotics and alcohol. He underlined that the patience of MPs is diminishing.

While, PDK caucus leader Adem Grabovci stated that no one of MPs is willing to be exposed anymore to the violence of the opposition in the Assembly and called on security mechanisms, to take necessary measures to enable return of normal  work in the Assembly.

On the other hand, Speaker Veseli disclosed the first consequences of the current situation.  He said that the Austrian President will not address to MPs as it was planned and it is uncertain if the EU Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, will do so. Hahn is expected to address to MPs in the beginning of the next month.

While opposition parties announced that they will not change their scenario for Monday’s plenary session.  They are determined not to allow the Assembly to hold the session.

Opposition representatives said that they might call a mass protest following events on Monday. 

Quint countries support Brezovica/Brezovicë development project

(KTV)

Quint countries, namely U.S, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany and France through a joint reaction expressed their support to Brezovica/Brezovicë Development Project, saying that the tender process has been conducted in compliance with Kosovo laws.

Just days ago, the Government of Serbia warned investors that Brezovica/Brezovicë is Serbia’s property.

“Inclusive and transparent tender process was conducted in compliance with Kosovo laws, including best international examples of public-private partnership. A successful project of Brezovica/Brezovicë will enable world class tourism and will bring opportunities for employment, particularly for the Serbs that live in that area”, reads the reaction.

Justice institutions failed to protect women from domestic violence

(KTV)

The murder, Zejnepe Bytyçi, a mother of four from Suharekë/Suva Reka, is considered equivalent to the murder of Diana Kastrati that happened five years ago, in which case the Constitutional Court proved that the institutions had violated her right to life by not offering any protection.

Legal experts said that justice institutions did not learn anything from Diana Kastrati’s case and therefore the tragedy was repeated.

Lawyer Arianit Koci, said that the violence in the family continues to be treated by domestic institutions as a private issue, the solutions of which is left to the couples themselves.

Zejnepe Bytyçi reported her violent husband to police several times but the husband never stayed more than two weeks in prison, and she even tried to commit suicide.

She was murdered last Friday by her drunken and violent husband. KTV asked Kosovo Police Inspectorate information if this institution will investigate how police officials dealt with the case of the victim, Zejnepe Bytyçi, but the inspectorate did not provide anyinformation.

Police data on domestic violence indicate an increase of such cases.  Out 460 cases of domestic violence reported during the first six months, in 381 cases the victims were women.