Consultations on sustainable financing for RTK held in Pejë/Pec

(RTK1)

Organized by the OSCE Mission, a roundtable was held in Pejë/Pec where the ways to secure financing for the public service broadcaster were discussed. Possible ways of securing sustainable financing in order for the public broadcaster to have completely independent editorial policy were discussed in the debate in which experts, journalists, civil society and media representatives took part.

One of the roundtable participants said that RTK budget should not completely come from Kosovo’s budget, but rather a part from the budget and the rest with pre-payment from the citizens.

Another participant believes that the best initial solution would be if RTK could secure 51% of its budget from its resources, pre-payment, advertisements, donations, and so on, and 49% from the Assembly.

Representatives of Radio and Television of Kosovo (RTK) said they welcome all debates and idea on identification of acceptable modalities for a sustainable financing.

According to the OSCE, this roundtable will be followed-up with a regional conference in April, with experts from the Western Balkans and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), to come up with recommendations, for relevant institutions to consider while amending and implementing the Law on RTK. 

Government to resubmit list of names for PRB members

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Kosovo Government will resubmit the names for completion of the Procurement Review Body (PPRB) Board on Friday. This was decided a day after the governing coalition failed to appoint Board Members of this institution, independence of which is one of the remaining criteria for visa liberalisation process.

Prime Minister Isa Mustafa considers that this action of the Kosovo Assembly does not put visa liberalisation at risk.

On the day that European Commission’s visa assessment team arrived in Kosovo, Minister of European Integration Bekim Çollaku and EU Special Representative in Kosovo Samuel Zbogar expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the MPs non-voting at the Assembly of Kosovo. 

LDK and AAK welcome establishment of demarcation ad-hoc commission

(TV21& Klan Kosova)

Kosovo Democratic League (LDK) welcomes the decision of Kosovo President, Atifete Jahjaga, for establishment of the ad hoccommission of international experts, who will evaluate the demarcation process between Kosovo and Montenegro.

Through a press release issued, LDK expressed its belief that this commission, composed by three renowned experts from the U.S, Great Britain and Germany, will professionally conduct this evaluation by reviewing all the documents, having discussions with all parties of interest, make field visits and clarify the course of the overall process.

AAK also welcomed establishment of this commission, TV21 reported. AAK representative Muharrem Nitaj said they will seek additional information from President Jahjaga regarding the function of this commission. He also said that this commission might impact on stances of the ruling and opposition parties. 

KDI identifies many violations in Assembly’s work

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) reported a series of violations made by the Assembly of Kosovo during 2015.

Lack of transparency in the dialogue process with Serbia, Assembly’s work hindrance by the opposition MPs, collective suspension of the opposition from the plenary sessions, holding of sessions in improvised chambers without the opposition, increased presence of security members in the Assembly premises, proceeding of laws with accelerated procedure, are only some of the violations that KDI published on Wednesday.

Loyalty that MPs have toward their caucus was presented KDI’s annual report, where over 95% of MPs are loyal to their caucus.

According to the report, Srpska List leads in terms of absence in the sessions, while minister of health Imet Rrahmani received most questions.

Vetëvendosje activists released from detention

(Most monitored broadcasters, Klan Kosova & KTV)

Eighteen Vetëvendosje activists, including caucus leader of this Movement, MP Glauk Konjufca and Prishtinë/ Pristina Municipality Chief Inspector Xhelal Sveçla, appeared on Wednesday on trial at the Basic Court of Prishtinë/Pristina. They are among 27 persons that are facing charges for overturning EULEX vehicles in 2009.

After a long hearing, Prishtinë/Pristina Basic Court Judge Vesel Ismajli decided to provisionally release the accused from detention.

Meanwhile, Klan Kosova reported that Police arrested Vetëvendosjse’s foreign affairs secretary, Bojken Abazi, and deported him to Albania for allegedly violating Kosovo Law on Foreigners. The justification given by Police for his extradition was disputed by Vetëvendosje.

AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj also strongly condemned Abazi’s deportation to Albania, online version of KTV reported. 

Low confiscation of illegal assets in Kosovo

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Positive changes have been noted on the issue of sequestrations, while figures of confiscation of illegal assets continue to remain very low. Out of about 29 million Euros, only about 1 million or 4% are permanently confiscated by the competent authorities. All this was stated in the draft report presented by the Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) on the topic of “Efficiency increase of the fight against illegal assets in Kosovo.”

President of Prishtinë/Pristina Basic Court, Hamdi Ibrahimi, underlined that courts should not be blamed for this.

But, it seems that this statement was not well received by the National Coordinator for Fight of Economic Crime, Shqipdon Fazliu, who said that only during 2014-2015 the value of sequestrations was over 52 million Euros. Furthermore, he said there are many cases in process for which the courts are not announcing their verdicts for years.

Louise Taylor, UK Deputy Head of Mission to Kosovo, said that doing legal business in Kosovo is very difficult in this situation.

Lack of anti-mafia law was also raised in this presentation.

Assembly committee recommends Besnik Osmani for Auditor General

(Klan Kosova)

Kosovo Assembly public finance oversight committee looked into the proposal made by Kosovo President, Atifete Jahjaga, for electing Besnik Osmani as the Head of Auditor General’s Office.

Committee members unanimously recommended the candidate to the Assembly. Head of the Auditor General’s Office will be elected through simple majority.