Hahn: Use SAA to compensate for lost time (Koha Ditore)
In an interview for the paper, the EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn suggested that Kosovo should focus on successfully implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) which, he said does not merely entail filling up of documents. “It is more of a process which will bring much-needed reforms in the field of rule of law and business environment that will in turn transform the Kosovo society and economy,” said Hahn. Speaking about visa liberalization, Hahn underlined that the team of experts from the European Commission has already gathered necessary information during its fact-finding mission to Kosovo and once those reports are ready, “we will act based on our assessments.” Asked about the current political situation in Kosovo, Hahn said it needs to be resolved by the leaders themselves and not the international community. “It is finally time for Kosovo political leaders to resolve this issue peacefully, around a table where they would throw arguments at one another, not tear gas.”
Border demarcation could be addressed by arbitration court (Koha Ditore)
The paper reports that the last legal instance available for disputing the border demarcation agreement between Kosovo and Montenegro is the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) based in The Hague. This, however, could only be possible if both the government of Kosovo and that of Montenegro agree to address the court. Kosovo government officials did not comment on whether they would be ready to look at the option while Vetevendosje’s Glauk Konjufca said they did think about the prospect but that in order for the PCA to get involved, one of the parties in an agreement would have to be discontent with it. In Kosovo’s case, added Konjufca, the government insists it has done a good job in signing of the border demarcation agreement. “So the biggest problem with the arbitration in our case is that we have a government that is happy to give away its territory,” remarked Konjufca.
Delawie: Border-demarcation, false cause (Zeri)
The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, stated yesterday that Kosovo border with Montenegro is in order and that the cause of some politicians on this issue is false. “In fact the border point that devides the two countries is identical to that which has divided the two countries for centuries. The efforts of some politicians to give some bizarre theories about an issue that was determined by centuries, are only efforts for political gain. This false cause should be left behind,” Delawie said.
“Incidents possible during Thaci’s inauguration as President” (Kosova Sot)
The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, said yesterday that the President-elect Hashim Thaci should not do his inauguration ceremony in Mother Theresa square because, according to him, given the current situation, there might be incidents. He said that if anything happens during that ceremony, it would damage Kosovo’s image.
Government with a concrete offer for opposition (Bota Sot)
The government’s offer for the opposition parties in order to overcome the political crisis is expected to be made during May, immediately after Assembly President Kadri Veseli takes the leadership of the PDK. Sources within the Assembly indicated that Veseli has already discussed with Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and agreed that the offer would foresee the formation of a working group which would work on electoral reform, and then decide on the time of new elections. While the AAK and Initiative for Kosovo expressed willingness to sit in negotiations where elections would be discussed, Vetevendosje said the government must first withdraw from the harmful agreements and then to talk about other topics.
Mitrovica: A Serb man accused of shooting at Albanian children (RTK)
RTK reports that a person shot a firearm in the direction of Albanian children who were playing at “Kodra e Trimave.” According to the witnesses, the incident was due to a fight between Albanian and Serb children. The parents of the Albanian children concerned claim that they know that the individual was a Serb. Kosovo Police Spokesperson, Besim Hoti, confirmed the case on Thursday evening. “Witnesses (parents of Albanian children) claim that a person of Serb nationality shot at the direction their children. We are investigating the case together with the prosecutor.” Kosovapress has published the suspect’s name. There were no casualties at this incident.
