Government has positive expectations from visa liberalization mission (Koha)
In its leading front-page story, the paper reports that according to the Kosovo government the issue of visa liberalization is a done deal and now they are only waiting for a positive recommendation from the European Commission. The paper notes that there was an EU visa liberalization mission in Kosovo last week that assessed the remaining eight criteria that need to be met by Kosovo’s institutions. In a reply sent to the letter, the EU Office in Pristina said there could be further instructions for the remaining steps. Meanwhile, European integration experts in Pristina are sceptical that the recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo will be made this year. The Kosovo Ministry for Integration told the paper they are confident that the assessment mission will submit a positive report to the Commission and enable it to recommend visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens. Representatives of the Ministry ruled out the possibility of additional criteria for Kosovo’s institutions and said that they received confirmation about this from the EU experts.
PM Mustafa denies having threatened reporter Kajtazi (Zeri)
Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa has denied allegations he threatened reporter Vehbi Kajtazi on the phone over the story that Mustafa’s brother sought asylum in Germany during the mass migrant influx from Kosovo to EU countries. Mustafa refused to comment any further on the issue saying he has made his position known through a Facebook post but Kajtazi insists it was the Prime Minister personally who insulted and threatened him over the phone. Kajtazi said he also reported the case to the police. Petrit Zogaj from Kosovo-based think tank FOL said it is not the first time that PM Mustafa has shown insensitivity to different parts of society. At the same time, the news websites report that the Kosovo Association of Journalists has called a peaceful protest today in front of the government building to oppose the actions of government officials towards members of the media.
Court finds no violation in Thaci’s election (Epoka/Klan Kosova)
The Constitutional Court of Kosovo is expected to make public the verdict on the opposition’s request regarding Hashim Thaci’s election as President of Kosovo on 26 February. Pristina-based TV station Klan Kosova reports that the Constitutional Court has ruled that there was no violation of procedures or the constitution during the voting of the president. This decision opens way to the change of the leadership at the presidency. Thaci will take his oath at the Kosovo Assembly on 7 April, while his inauguration ceremony, which is expected to take place at the two main squares of Pristina, “Skënderbeu” and “Ibrahim Rugova”, will take place on 8 April.
Klaus Schlie: Kosovo belongs in Europe (Epoka e Re)
The President of the Assembly of the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, Klaus Schlie, said during a meeting with the President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli that he is encouraged by the work done in Kosovo, both in terms of security and in building democratic institutions. Schlie said Kosovo’s place is in Europe and that Europe should be doing more to keep Kosovo close. Schlie valued the process of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia stressing the necessity for the solution of the contested matters with neighbours.
Preteni: There is no will to face corruption (Epoka e Re)
The Director of the Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency, Hasan Preteni, expressed dissatisfaction with regards to the process of wealth declaration of Kosovo officials. In an interview for the paper, he said that for three weeks, only 1,400 officials have reported their incomes. Preteni said that the Agency will publish the names of those who did not report their wealth and will press charges against them. According to him, there is progress on prevention of corruption, but when it comes to combating it, much remains to be desired. He said that there is not the sufficient will and courage in Kosovo to face this evil.
KIPRED: Justice in Kosovo has selective approach (Kosovapress)
In its recent report, the Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED) found that the justice system in Kosovo has a selective approach and that is faces many challenges due to political pressure. KIPRED Programme Director Ariana Qosaj-Mustafa said there is an atmosphere of impunity from prosecution of persons in senior positions suspected of corruption and that there are individuals who continue to remain above the law.
