Anti-constitutional ratification of agreement on Special Court (Koha)
The paper reports on its front page that the final agreement with the Netherlands on the headquarters of the Special Court was ratified on Monday outside constitutional procedures. The Assembly of Kosovo has been left out of the process. The agreement was ratified only with a decree issued by Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga. The paper notes that according to the Constitution, the ratification of international agreements on basic rights and freedoms requires 2/3 of votes of all MPs. A press release issued by Jahjaga’s office noted: “President Jahjaga has ratified the agreement with the Netherlands based on her constitutional prerogatives on ratification of agreements, based on Article 18, paragraph 2, of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, Article 10, paragraph 4, of the Law Nr. 04/L-052, on International Agreements and Article 4, paragraph 3, of the Law Nr. 03/L-044, on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Service. With the ratification of this agreement – and with the ratification on February 4th 2016 of the ‘Temporary Agreement between Republic of Kosovo and Kingdom of the Netherlands on organization of the institution of Special Court of Kosovo dislocated in the Netherlands’ – Republic of Kosovo fulfil all of its international obligation related to the establishment of the Special Court”.
Thaci pledges to finalise establishment of special court (Bota Sot)
Newly elected President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci wrote on his Facebook account that he had a telephone conversation with the US Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Hoyt Brian Yee who congratulated him on his election and stressed the need for institutional stability, political dialogue, normalization of relations with Serbia and deepening of economic and judicial reforms. Thaci said he had pledged to finalise the process of establishment of the special court and committed to continue strengthening relations with the US.
Special court’s first indictments by end-of-year (Zeri)
The special court is expected to file the first indictments against the former KLA members by the end of 2016 or early 2017. This will happen if the special court manages to complete its staffing and secure funding within six months. President Atifete Jahjaga a few days ago ratified the agreement with the Netherlands, where the court will be placed. “With the ratification of this agreement, Kosovo fulfills all its international obligations related to the establishment of the special court,” reads a statement issued by the presidency.
Kuci and Hoxhaj to replace Thaci (Kosova Sot)
Following his election to the post of Kosovo President, the three positions Hashim Thaci used to occupy have now been vacated. The government positions of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister are expected to be filled by Hajredin Kuci and Enver Hoxhaj respectively whereas the post of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader will be entrusted to the Assembly President, Kadri Veseli.
Thaci resigns from three posts (Zeri)
The Kosovo president-elect Hashim Thaci yesterday resigned from his posts as leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. “Based on Article 88 of the Constitution of Kosovo and due to legal circumstances after my nomination as a candidate for president of the Republic of Kosovo, and with the best intentions that the election of future president be in accordance with democratic standards, I resign from all public functions, including the functions within the Democratic Party of Kosovo,” Thaci noted in his resignation letter. PM Mustafa accepted his resignation.
Opposition: Protests until government’s resignation (Zeri)
The three opposition parties – Vetevendosje Movement, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) – are reviewing future forms of protest against the government. The leader of the AAK, Ramush Haradinaj, said the opposition’s objection is more than necessary and it is reaching its effects to protect the state. “As a result of this opposition, the implementation of two harmful agreements has stopped,” Haradinaj said. Meanwhile, Vetevendosje MP Rexhep Selimi said opposition will not step back on their demands. “We will continue with the same course and scope. Even more determined and convinced that the only way remains through massive protests,” Selimi said.
Citaku: Serbia to apologise for crimes in Kosovo (Indeksonline/Telegrafi)
Kosovo’s Ambassador to the US Vlora Citaku said at the meeting of the UN Security Council yesterday that Serbia should apologise for crimes its troops committed in Kosovo. Citaku said there are 20,000 survivors of sexual violence in Kosovo who are still tormented by their experience. “Survivors of rape are not included in the UN resolution. We want justice and we want to see perpetrators behind bars,” said Citaku.
Telegrafi focuses on what it calls a fierce debate between Kosovo’s Ambassador to the United States, Vlora Citaku, and Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic. Dacic referred to Kosovo as “Kosovo and Metohija” and to Citaku as representative of “the provisional institutions of Kosovo and Metohija”. Citaku reacted saying that Kosovo is an independent country. Citaku also said Kosovo would implement all agreements reached in Brussels, “but not to the detriment of the functionality of the state of Kosovo”. “We want reconciliation. But reconciliation cannot be built with denial. Reconciliation is possible only if we look toward the future and at the past without fear, although looking to the past for some people can be shameful,” Citaku said.
Car of PDK parliamentary group chief damaged in Pristina (media)
Several news sites report that unknown persons damaged the car of Adem Grabovci, the head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group, in Pristina on Monday evening. Grabovci confirmed the incident. “I can guarantee that I have no animosities with anyone,” Grabovci was quoted as saying.
“Cases of Decan, Drenas and Fushe Kosove, not related to terrorism” (media)
All media cover the briefing that Kosovo Intelligence Agency Director, Agron Selimaj, gave on Monday to the Kosovo Assembly committee that oversees the work of the intelligence agency. Most media highlight Selimaj’s statement that the arrest of four persons near the Decani Monastery, the arrest of two persons in Fushe Kosove who were found with over 12 kilograms of explosive and the discovery of an explosive device in the yard of a mosque in Drenas, are not related to any terrorist activities.
