No agreement reached between Kosovo on Serbia on ADR certificates

(KTV&TV21)

No agreement has been reached yet in Vienna meeting between Kosovo and Serbian delegations which started on Monday morning after the urgent call of the European Union.

Parties are discussing reciprocal recognition of the ADR certificates. Serbian side has been insisting that Kosovo should suspend the reciprocal measures set towards it, but this was not accepted by the Kosovo delegation by any means, Kosovo Minister of Trade and Industry Hykmete Bajrami told TV21 during Monday.

She stated that the meeting began at 09:30 am and they are discussing reciprocal recognition of the ADR certificates and the Serbian side has been insisting that Kosovo should suspend the reciprocal measures set towards Serbia. However, she said that Kosovo will not lift these measures until Serbia does the same.

Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa also commented the issue of reciprocity. He also pledged that they will not give up in front of Serbia.

“We request that both parties act the same. If Serbia requests certificates from Kosovo, we will also request theirs. I believe that this will be achieved because it is Brussels will to help in order for the certificates to be recognized and then to release movement of goods in both sides,” PM Mustafa stated.

In its online version, KTV reported that the long meeting in Vienna concluded without any results.

“After difficult talks and efforts to reach an agreement for the reciprocal recognition of ADR certificates, worth noting the great engagement of the European Union as a facilitator, these talks did not produce any results”, reads a press release issued by Kosovo Government. The press release also notes the meetings will continue.

Law on Velika Hoca/Hoçë e Madhe not being entirely implemented

(RTK2)

After Raniluk/Ranillug, Novobërdë/Novo Brdo and Gorazhdevc, Srpska List MPs visited Serbs of Velika Hoca/Hoçë e Madhe village. Aside from the village representatives, the meeting was also attended by the Rahovec/Orahovac municipal urbanism director. Implementation of the Law on Protection of Velika Hoca/Hoçë e Madhe was the main topic of the discussions.

Residents and members of the Council for Protection of Velika Hoca/Hoçë e Madhe complained to MPs that the Law on Protection of Velika Hoca/Hoçë e Madhe is not being implemented entirely. They demonstrated examples of illegal buildings that were built in areas of the village where construction is not allowed.

MPs were also informed about the daily issues these residents face, such as lack of security, usurped property, administrative obstacles and unemployment.

“We evidenced their problems and in the next period, after all the planned visits to municipalities will conclude, we will present a report that will highlight the main issue they encounter. Kosovo Assembly Committee on rights, interests of communities and returns has monitored implementation of the Law on Velika Hoca/Hoçë e Madhe and this monitoring has brought some results. This year, the Council for implementation of this Law has its own budget,” Srpska List caucus leader, Slavko Simic told RTK2.

Srpska List MP Nenad Rasic told residents of this village that they should get organized and have a joint electoral list in the forthcoming municipal elections. According to him, this might result with one or two municipal councillor seats in Rahovec/Orahovac municipality.  Rasic said this would be a great success, as currently there is no Serb representative in Rahovec/Orahovac Municipal Assembly.

Kosovo remains committed to dialogue with Serbia

(All monitored broadcasters, TV21)

Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga emphasised in Brussels that Kosovo remains committed to continuation of dialogue with Serbia on normalisation of relations as the only way for speeding up Euro-Atlantic integrations of both countries.

President Jahjaga was received by Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, at the EC headquarters.

Jahjaga emphasised the need that this EU facilitated process and supported by the United States of America to focus on implementation of the agreements achieved in Brussels, by conditioning progress of implementation of the agreements achieved in the framework of dialogue with progress on the road toward EU membership.

President Jahjaga thanked Mogherini for her and the EU support and engagement on strengthening European perspective of Kosovo with signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, which has already entered into force.

Mustafa: Kosovo decides about Trepça

(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa responded to statements of Serbian PM Aleksandar Vucic who said that Trepça mining complex is a property of Serbia.

Mustafa said that these statements of Vucic are lame and that only Kosovo institutions decide about the fate of Trepça.

He said that Trepça issue will not be discussed with anyone. “Kosovo property will not be part of the dialogue with anyone,” Mustafa underlined.

On the other hand, civil society sees great danger in inclusion of Trepça mining complex in political talks in Brussels, KTV reported. Erëza Pula of the Group for Legal and Political Studies said that Kosovo society as a whole, irrespective to their political affiliation, should get involved in not allowing inclusion of Trepça in the agenda of talks with Serbia.

Kosovo Government agrees with her. Its spokesman, Arban Abrashi, said that until the end of this year Kosovo Government will develop a strategic plan for development of this mining complex and other mines.

Government expects positive report on visa liberalisation

(TV21)

European Union Special Representative in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, congratulated Minister of European Integrations Bekim Çollaku for entering into force of the Association and Stabilization Agreement. Zbogar offered the support of European community in its implementation.

Çollaku and Zbogar also discussed visa liberalization process, concluding that the report from the assessment mission on fulfilment of the eight final recommendations is expected to be positive and to open way to the meritorious decision on visa liberalisation.