Hahn brings political party leaders around the same table

(All monitored broadcasters, Klan Kosova&TV21)

The EU Enlargement Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, brought together leaders of all political parties in Kosovo. After the meeting which went on for about two hours, none of the political party leaders made pronouncements for the media.

Whilst, Commissioner Hahn said that parties did not move from their positions as far the agreement on border delineation with Montenegro is concerned. He underlined that if this agreement is not ratified, there shall not be visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens.

“I called on parties to defer so they can solve the problems. But, they had the already known positions as far as demarcation is concerned. If demarcation is not discussed and this problem is not solved, liberalisation cannot happen. I have asked the political party leaders to sit and discuss about this. We are ready to help Kosovo, but local authorities are those that should take the decision. I hope we will have success stories in the future, and we hope that big decisions will be taken soon. Atmosphere of the meeting was peaceful,” Hahn said.

On Tuesday morning, Hahn had separate meetings with Kosovo institutional and opposition party leaders.

After the meeting with Hahn, PM Isa Mustafa restated that international experts have not identified any irregularities in the agreement with Montenegro. He insists that this agreement should be ratified in the Assembly.

AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj said that agreement with Montenegro should be altered.

In the meantime, Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi said that political class in Kosovo should be unified to fulfil the two criteria set by the European Union for visa liberalisation.

Klan Kosova quoted Head of Nisma për Kosovën National Council saying that the issue of demarcation must be separated from the visa liberalisation process. 

Visa recommendation increased citizens’ interest for biometric passports

(TV21)

The number of Kosovo citizens getting biometric passports after the European Commission’s decision to recommend visas has increased.

According to Ministry of Interior, more than 15,000 citizens have applied for these passports only during the last 10 days.

Serbs of the north obtain Kosovo documents following visa announcements

(TV21) 

Adriana Hodzic, Head of the Administrative Office in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north, said that over the last week Serb citizens in Kosovo north have shown increased interest to obtain personal documents of Kosovo following the announcements for visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens.

Forty-nine SAA required amendments adopted

(TV21)

Kosovo Assembly Committee on Stabilisation Association Agreement (SAA), with the presence of the members of European Parliament, adopted forty-nine SAA required amendments.

Tonino Picula, representative of the European Parliament delegation, said that during this two-day meeting they discussed key SAA principles and exchanged information about developments in Kosovo.

On the other hand, MEP Ulrike Lunacek commended the positive communication developments in Kosovo between the communities. She also said that the Law on women raped during the war, approved by the Assembly, should be implemented and emphasised that the compensation guaranteed for them must be paid.

Bosnia and Herzegovina to ease visa procedures for Kosovars

(TV21) 

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Igor Crnadak, said that even though his country has not recognised the independence Kosovo, it might ease visa procedures for Kosovo citizens.

According to Crnadak, it is the duty of experts to see how visa procedures can be eased, but this is expected to be done as per the agreement reached with the European Commission.

Bahtiri announces resignation if town’s boundaries will be changed

(Klan Kosova)

They come from different political parties, but the fate of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica brought together Albin Kurti and Agim Bahtiri on Tuesday in Prishtinë/Pristina.

When the Mayor of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica south, Bahtiri, took the floor, he said that if boundaries of the southern part of the town will be changed, he would leave his mandate.

“If the Government or the Assembly of Kosovo will make changes I will resign because I can no longer be the Mayor of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica,” Bahtiri announced.

No matter that he did not give any date as when the revitalisation of the bridge over Ibër River will happen, he said that citizens are moving freely both in the north and in the south of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica.

Conversely, citizens living in the northern part of the town did not state the same thing.

Online version of RTK reported that European Union Office in Kosovo has insured Mitrovicë/Mitrovica Mayor, Agim Bahtiri, that EU is committed to reaffirmation of administrative borders between Mitrovicë/Mitrovica South and North, and not on their changing.

International Day against Homophobia marked

(RTK1)

On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, a march was held in Prishtinë/Pristina called “Our love is constitutional”. Besides activists of LGBT community, international diplomats and Kosovo senior officials joined the march.

Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi was also part of the march.  He said that the rights for all citizens and communities are guaranteed with the Constitution. According to Thaçi, this march conveys the best message that any citizen, regardless of his/her ethnicity, gender or sex, enjoys equal rights.

Other broadcasters reported that the US Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delawie, United Kingdom Ambassador Ruairi O’Connell, MEP Ulrike Lunacek and former Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga joined the march.

Aside from the march, Kosovo Government Office for Good Governance and organizations that advocate and promote rights of LGBT community organized a conference on this occasion.

“Republic of Kosovo has the most developed legal infrastructure which guarantees equal rights for all. Government has also established coordination and consultative mechanisms, which closely cooperate with the civil society to ensure implementation of LGBT community rights,” said Edon Myftari, advisor to Prime Minister of Kosovo.

Representatives of organizations that advocate for LGBT rights said that the number of participants in the march shows an increase of citizens’ awareness in respecting this community.

MP Kelmendi: Homosexuality should not be promoted

(Klan Kosova)

Gëzim Kelmendi, member of the Kosovo Assembly and chairperson of Fjala political party, told Klan Kosova’s Info Magazine, said that same-sex marriages do not preserve the family, but rather destroy it entirely.

MP Kelmendi said that rights of LGBT community are guaranteed with law, but added that this should not be promoted on the streets. He said that homosexuality is a sickness which has been confirmed by medicine.

However, Petrit Zogaj of FOL Movement objected Kelmendi’s statement. He said that this allegation cannot be found in any books of the World Health Organization.