Assembly ratifies Stabilisation and Association Agreement
(All monitored broadcasters, TV21)
With 86 votes in favour, no vote against and no abstention, members of Kosovo Assembly passed the Law on Ratification of the Stabilisation Association Agreement (SAA) between Kosovo and the European Union signed few days earlier in Strasbourg.
Voting happened without the presence of opposition MPs, which, even though they took part in the session, they left the Assembly room after speeches held by caucus leaders, aside from Vetëvendosje MP Ilir Deda, who remained in this session.
No matter that it was said that Serb MPs will not take part in this session, they were not only present, but they also gave a strong support to this process.
Opposition parties, which are not against Kosovo’s path toward the European Union, but against some of the points of the agreement on SAA, said that this Agreement was not achieved because Kosovo fulfilled the criteria, but thanks to the agreements with Serbia.
Immediately after leaving the session, opposition leaders said that in certain areas the SAA put Kosovo statehood under question mark, and that it has been badly and secretly negotiated. Addressing the media, they announced that political blockade will go on.
Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, EU Office in Kosovo and EUSR Samuel Zbogar, Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, and the US Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, welcomed the ratification of the SAA.
Prizren municipal education director arrested
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Economic Crimes Unit of Kosovo Police arrested education director in the Municipality of Prizren, Nexhat Çoçaj, and five other persons.
This was confirmed by Chief Prosecutor of Prizren Basic Prosecution, Sylë Hoxha. He said that the arrested persons are suspected of misusing the official duty and violation of the right to employment.
Hoxha requested a 30-day detention measure for them because, according to him, the case is related to many files issued by 27 citizens, and other persons that have filed criminal reports against the detainees.
On the other hand, Prizren Municipality spokesperson Ymer Berisha said they were informed about the arrest of these suspects by the Police and that they respect any decision of prosecution and justice bodies.
Tanin: UNMIK will remain Kosovo status-neutral
(RTK2, Klan Kosova)
New Head of UNMIK, Zahir Tanin, met in Belgrade with the Head of Serbia’s Office for Kosovo Marko Djuric. Office of the latter informs that they discussed about result of Prishtinë/Pristina-Belgrade dialogue and other topics, such as establishment of the Association and, as the press release states, the rights of Serbs in Kosovo.
Following the meeting, Djuric said that he briefed Mr Tanin with Kosovo’s effort to become a member of UNESCO. He said that any solution without dialogue between the two parties regarding Serbian heritage in Kosovo would be unacceptable.
According to the Serbia’s Office for Kosovo, Mr Tanin assured Djuric that UN Mission in Kosovo will continue to keep its neutrality toward Kosovo’s status. He added that UNMIK is not involved in potential membership of Kosovo in UNESCO.
Former mayor of Kamenicë/Kamenica found not guilty
(Klan & KTV)
Basic Court in Gjilan/Gnjilane has found not guilty former mayor of Kamenicë/Kamenica Shaip Surdulli and three other arrested persons in the court process “Kriva Reka River cleaning” in Kamenicë/Kamenica.
This happened because the Court did not manage to prove charges of the prosecution that they are guilty of damaging Kosovo budget.
Court also found not guilty the three arrested persons, Sadik Thaçi, former procurement manager in Kamenicë/Kamenica, Izet Thaçi, director of the oversight body for works, and Ali Kastrati, as the owner of economic operator “Besniku.”
