Zbogar: Retraction of agreements, a dangerous precedent for Kosovo

(KTV)

“No one can justify why violence against the Assembly member should be used.” This is what the EU Special Representative in Kosovo Samuel Zbogar told KTV Rubicon show.

He said that opposition’s boycott for the SAA was also disappointing to them, emphasising that after referral of the Agreements to the Constitutional Court, opposition should take this into consideration, for a break at least, and allow the Assembly to recommence its functioning.

“We cannot implement usual activities after throwing of eggs against the Prime Minister and later, even worse, after throwing of teargas at the Assembly. We had regular contacts with the opposition, same as with all the other parties, but after these events we really think that there cannot be usual relations as long as they do not step back from violence. This is serious for us and the Progress Report. We have said that this behaviour is against the European values,” Zbogar said.

Meanwhile, he warned that retraction of the agreements would be a very dangerous precedent for Kosovo, as in the future a minority in the Assembly through threats, teargas and other weapons might force the Government to change its mind and withdraw from the international commitments.

EUSR Zbogar mentioned rule of law as a black hole in general, while specifically he mentioned functioning of the judiciary, fighting of corruption and organized crime. He said that interference of politics in judiciary remains obvious.

Although he stated earlier that Kosovars will move without visas in June 2016, Zbogar said he made a mistake when he mentioned June as the month of liberalisation. However, he expressed his optimism that Kosovars are closer to their goal of free movement.

Constitutional Court’s decision does not question dialogue

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said that referral of the Agreement on Association of Serb majority municipalities by President Atifete Jahjaga does not question this Agreement at any case.

According to PM Mustafa, this Agreement was not suspended, but it will be verified if every point of this document is in compliance with the Constitution.

Prime Mustafa also spoke about the EC Progress Report and considered it realistic.

On the other hand, during the same meeting of the Government held on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi blamed opposition parties for Kosovo’s failure in UNESCO.

EBU urges Kosovo Government and Assembly to find solution for funding RTK

(RTK1)

European Broadcasting Union (EBU) Director General, Ingrid Deltenre sent a letter to the Government and to the Assembly of Kosovo urging them to find a solution for the funding of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK).

“The Government and the Assembly of Kosovo should secure adequate funding for RTK in 2016 and beyond, otherwise the existence of RTK in Kosovo is in jeopardy. Without appropriate level of funding RTK cannot fulfill its public service remit, which is vital for the democracy in Kosovo,” the letter reads.

“Longer term funding, stable governance and sustainability of independent public service broadcasting are principles underlying the European standards set by the Council of Europe. These principles are upheld by the European Union since its Amsterdam Protocol of 1997, and Kosovo is to follow these principles in the integration process to the EU,” the letter states.

The letter notes that Kosovo recently signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, which also emphasizes the importance of assistance to public media, reinforcing their independence and professionalism and RTK is expected to play an important role in supporting and encouraging social cohesion and stability in the society. The EBU hopes that Kosovo will undertake urgent measures to enable the appropriate work of public media.

“Although RTK is not a full Member of the EBU, the EBU has a particular interest in RTK, having been largely instrumental in its creation,” the letter concludes.

Also, through another letter, the EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot and EBU Director General, Ingrid Deltenre, on behalf of EBU, congratulated Mentor Shala for his reelection as RTK Director General for a second three year mandate.

“EBU will continue to support your endeavors to implement EBU values, develop independent and professional public service for citizens, reach financial sustainability and be able to modernize and digitalize the RTK,” the letter concludes.

Institutions criticized for the early stage of development

(TV21&KTV)

Referring to the findings of EC Progress Report, Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) criticized public institutions of being at the early stage of efforts for socio-economic development.

According to KDI, missing fight against corruption, inadequate functioning of the Assembly and issues related to elections in Kosovo are key problems highlighted in the Progress Report.

Courts and prosecutions still remain institutions with political interference, where, except the lack of integrity, there is also lack of human and financial capacities. As a result, they halt on administration of cases with priority, in particular to those related to high level corruption.

While, as far as the Assembly’s functioning is concerned, KDI assessed that the Assembly never managed to keep Government’s influence away, and monitor it.

On the other hand, TV21 reported that at the debate organized by Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) it was said that for ten years the Progress Report did not highlight progress in the fight against corruption, organized crime, economic development and other fields.

EU representatives, present in this debate, particularly underlined the flaws in the fight against corruption, although they said that progress was made in this aspect, too.

Tërmkolli: It is time for revision of dialogue with Serbia

(TV21)

LDK MP Melihate Tërmkolli said that it is time to review dialogue with Serbia, and that still is not too late to do this.

“It is time for the ruling parties and opposition to jointly clarify Kosovo’s national interests which are mandatory to be implemented, no matter who is in power. Revision of the Agreement with Serbia on Association of Serb majority municipalities and the Agreement on Demarcation with Montenegro is inevitable. It is also the time for revision of dialogue with Serbia,” Mustafa stated.