International experts: We did not delineate a new border

(KTV)

The international commission on demarcation says that no new border was delineated by them or the Kosovo’s commission on demarcation, as the border already existed.

In an interview with Rubicon show, the three international experts presented the facts and methods they used to confirm demarcation with Montenegro. These three experts, who were invited by President Atifete Jahjaga for delineation of the border with Montenegro, defended their findings, no matter that the opposition parties do not accept their assessment.

Fletcher Burton, the American member of this commission, said they met people who are closely related with this area. Nevertheless, according to him, close relation with the area cannot be an argument for a legal definition on borders.

Fred Newton, another expert of the same commission, is convinced that Kosovo is not losing any part of its territory with this demarcation process.

Opposition is not agreeing with these findings and qualified the members of this commission as non-professionals, whereas the AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj requested an investigation by FBI for members of Kosovo’s state commission on demarcation.

Mustafa: Opposition has no reason to protest over border demarcation

(All monitored broadcasters, Klan Kosova)

A day after the report of international experts on demarcation with Montenegro was made public, Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa called on opposition to give up its suspicions regarding this borderline.

“It has been proved that we have not taken or given away any meter of land to Montenegrins,” Mustafa said during a visit he made to Pejë/Pec municipality on Thursday.

Pejë/Pec Mayor Gazmend Muhaxheri also said that Kosovo does not lose any piece of land with this demarcation, but, according to him, issue of the border with Montenegro was seen with a lot of emotions, and not facts.

Mustafa responds to Stojanovic for implementation of Brussels agreements

(Klan Kosova)

During a visit made to the Municipality of Junik, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa had an answer for his deputy, Branimir Stojanovic, who said that Brussels should put pressure on Prishtinë/Pristina regarding implementation of the Brussels agreements reached with Belgrade.

“The Association has remained the only thing in our part. However, we will also address the issue of the Association in relation with dissolution of parallel structures in Kosovo,” Mustafa stated.

Mustafa’s answer came after DPM Stojanovic is criticizing Government that he is part of not implementing the signed agreements with Belgrade. In an interview with B92, Stojanovic insisted on Brussels pressure on Prishtinë/Pristina, particularly regarding establishment of the Association of Serb majority municipalities.

In the meantime, Kosovo Minister of Diaspora Valon Murati suggested a political dialogue with Serbia and reciprocity in all the fields. In an interview with the InfoMagazine show Murati said that demarcation issue with Montenegro should be solved with international arbitrage.

German Embassy calls on all sides to review demarcation findings

(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

German Embassy in Kosovo welcomed the report of the ad hoc commission for reviewing the border delineation process between Kosovo and Montenegro.

According to this Embassy, the Commission found that the delineation process ‘clearly satisfied international norms’ and called for steps to improve border management and strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Using its Facebook page, German Embassy also called on all sides to carefully review the Commission’s findings, bring the bilateral agreement to ratification and to return to a peaceful dialogue on substantive issues in the Assembly.

US Embassy in Kosovo also welcomed findings of the international demarcation commission.

Kadaj-Bujupi left AAK because of its unilateral actions

(KTV, 23:00hrs)

Unilateral decision of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) to abandon the Assembly and its non-harmonisation with Vetëvendosje Movement became the main reasons for resignation of the former AAK caucus leader, Donika-Kadaj Bujupi.

In an interview with Rubicon show of this TV broadcaster, Kadaj-Bujupi said she insisted on existence of a joint organisation between opposition parties, in order for them to continue with a joint election list, but she did not find that understanding after her return from prison.

Kadaj-Bujupi said she will soon come out with a stance regarding her future political engagement.

She considers annulment of the protest as a wrong move of the opposition, and says that Kosovo needs to have another protest similar to the one of 9 January this year.

Institutional will to fight money laundering is missing

(KTV)

Money laundering remains a challenge for justice institutions. At a roundtable held in Prishtinë/Pristina on Thursday on the topic of “Reaction against money laundering in Kosovo between politics and practices” civil society representative and officials of the EU Office in Kosovo concluded that will of justice institutions to fight this phenomenon is missing.

Libor Chlad of the EU Office said that based on the data that this Office holds, money laundering happens most in very profitable sectors, such as construction.

Representatives of the Agency for managing sequestrated and confiscated assets said they have no data on how many assets they confiscated from money laundering.

A report prepared by KIPRED Institute finds that the majority of smuggling profits are believed to have been directly laundered through the state’s economy, in the fields like construction, sales, banks, financial services, casinos, etc. According to this report, political parties continue not to report regularly to the Financial Intelligence Unit of Kosovo. It adds that majority of the powerful companies in Kosovo remain linked with political parties and they continue to gain tenders.

SPP premises in Leposavic/Leposaviq stoned

(RTK2)

Premises of the Serbian Progressive Party (SPP) in Leposavic/Leposaviq town were stoned on Wednesday night by a person who was identified afterwards, Kosovo Police told Kossev news portal. This incident was strongly condemned by the Kosovo branch of the Democratic Party of Serbia, whereas SPP did not react to this attack.

On the other hand, RTK2 reported that during a press conference staged in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) announced that it will support SPP on the extraordinary Serbian parliamentary elections called for 24 April.

Gunshots fired in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north

(Klan Kosova)

Gunshots were fired on Thursday evening in close vicinity to a group of children that were playing at ‘Kodra e Minatorëve’ neighborhood of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north. The Albanian children, at the presence of their parents, emphasized that they were scared when they heard gunshots, adding that shots were fired by a Serb neighbor who they know, Klan Kosova reported.

A teenager, who witnessed the incident, explained to Klan Kosova that their Serb neighbor came with his vehicle and fired shots against this group of the children.

On the other hand, Kosovo Police regional deputy commander Besim Hoti confirmed the incident and said that investigations were underway. He emphasized that Police is offering security.

However, local residents said they do not feel safe and announced a meeting with representatives of Kosovo Police. They also demanded an increase of police presence in this neighbourhood.

In the meantime, quoting eyewitnesses, online edition of RTK reported that this incident happened after a fight between Serb and Albanian children.