Hahn: Demarcation, pre-condition for visa liberalisation (Zeri)
The European Union Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, during his visit in Pristina met with the Kosovo government and opposition leaders. Hahn told the political leaders that the agreement on border-demarcation with Montenegro is a pre-condition for visa liberalisation. “I was very clear that without solving some issues, there will be no visa liberalisation,” Hahn said, adding that there must be compromises in democracy in order to move forward. Nonetheless, opposition leaders requested the annulment of these agreements. Citing unidentified sources from this meeting, the paper writes that Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli proposed a solution for the demarcation issue, which was rejected by the opposition representatives. According to the opposition, the border-demarcation issue must be separated from visa liberalisation.
Hahn: Unite in European integration journey (dailies)
The EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Isa Mustafa urged the political parties and civil society in Kosovo to be united on the path towards European integration. According to him, the entry into force of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and visa liberalisation recommendation, prove that there are development opportunities in Kosovo, therefore he requested commitment to implement these decisions accordingly. Prime Minister Isa Mustafa pledged to cooperate with the EU institutions, political parties and civil society. With regard to border-demarcation with Montenegro, Mustafa said this agreement cannot be re-negotiated.
Thaçi commends the political leaders’ meeting (Zeri)
Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaçi has welcomed the meeting held yesterday between the government and opposition representatives on the initiative of the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn. “I welcome the joint meeting of political leaders. I want to reiterate that inter-party dialogue is essential to the democratic functioning of institutions and political stability in the country”, Thaçi said.
Ymeri expresses discontent with visa liberalisation criteria (Bota Sot)
In a meeting with the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Johannes Hahn, Vetëvendosje leader Visar Ymeri expressed discontent with the condition imposed on Kosovo regarding the visa liberalization process to ratify the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. In a Facebook post, Ymeri emphasised the damage that the current border demarcation agreement presents for Kosovo. He also said they discussed the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue. “Normalisation of relations between the Republic of Kosovo and Serbia can happen only after Serbia recognises the Republic of Kosovo while the integration of Kosovo Serbs can only be done through open democratic dialogue on economic and social development”, wrote Ymeri.
EU does not want EULEX mandate to be time restricted (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo and European Union authorities are reported to have accorded their views on the future mandate of EULEX but there are still two outstanding issues that include the mission’s timeframe and the transfer of cases to the local institutions. The paper writes that the decision on these two issues will be taken at a high political level. The government of Kosovo insists EULEX should not handle new cases, even in extraordinary situations but the EU insists its rule of law mission continues to deal with sensitive cases. Kosovo’s Justice Minister, Hajredin Kuçi, said negotiations are still ongoing and confirmed that two issues remain open. “We have not yet agreed on the mandate’s duration. We insist on a fixed timeframe and they (EU) want an open-date”, said Kuçi.
First meeting of SAA committee ends with a joint statement (Kosova Sot)
The first meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee between Kosovo and the EU took place in Pristina yesterday. The head of the EU delegation, Tonino Picula, MEP and former Foreign Minister of Croatia, said at the opening of the meeting that he was pleased that the joint work of the two committees has begun. The meeting focused on a number of issues such as youth empowerment and anti-radicalism, education and protection of human rights, in particular of vulnerable groups, as well as media pluralism.
Lunacek seeks compensation for victims of sexual violence (Kosova Sot)
The Vice President of the European Parliament and Rapporteur for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, urged Kosovo institutions to implement the law on compensation for victims of sexual violence during the Kosovo conflict. Lunacek said she was informed that although the Kosovo Assembly passed the law enabling victims to receive compensation, it has yet to be implemented.
Increased requests for Kosovo documents in the north (Zeri)
The head of the Kosovo Administrative Office in North Mitrovica, Adriana Hodžić, said yesterday that there has been an increase in requests for Kosovo documents by Kosovo Serbs in the north. According to her, this comes after the announcement of the European Commission to recommend visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens. However, Belgrade authorities requested that Serbs from Kosovo should be able to move freely in the Schengen area with passports issued by the Office for Kosovo of the Serbian Government, which is not recognized by the authorities in Pristina.
