EULEX will not be able to open new cases according to fresh draft law (RTK)
According to the new draft law that the government of Kosovo has approved regarding the extension of EULEX’s mandate, the EU mission will not be able to open new cases on war crimes and corruption before they are initiated by the Kosovo State Prosecution. Sources told RTK that this provision has been included in the draft law although Kosovo institutions have not yet received any feedback from Brussels.
Legal improvisations regarding EULEX’s lifespan (Koha Ditore)
The government of Kosovo is reported to have prepared legal provisions in an effort to provide a basis for the extension of EULEX’s mandate. Unlike the past, the new mandate will not be based on an international agreement between Kosovo and the EU but will rely on a draft law which the government submitted yesterday to the Assembly for approval. Last Friday, the government adopted a different draft law for extending EULEX’s mandate with references to an international agreement with the EU to be reached through an exchange of letters between the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi and the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini. Thaçi went a step further by actually sending out the letter to which Mogherini has not replied. Sources however said that the EU is not happy with the content of the letter because the authority to decide which cases would be transferred to EULEX lies with the Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.
Veseli: Border demarcation to be completed by consensus (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo Assembly President, Kadri Veseli, said after a meeting of the presidency that he expects a swift decision of the EU member states on visa liberalisation for Kosovo but did not say when the Assembly plans to vote on the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro which the European Commission has imposed as a condition for lifting the visa regime. “We will proceed with the issue of demarcation according to the country’s interest”, said Veseli adding that the issue should also be decided through consensus.
Ymeri: Demarcation doesn’t guarantee visa-free travel (Kosova Sot)
The leader of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Visar Ymeri, said on Monday that even if the Kosovo Assembly should ratify the border-demarcation agreement with Montenegro, it would not guarantee visa-free travel in European countries. According to him, another condition set by the EU for visa liberalisation was to combat corruption, while the government has done nothing so far in this regard. “Another problem is also that we are in a very difficult group with Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia,” Ymeri said.
Tahiri: “Sunny Valley” will be stopped by law (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo’s Minister without portfolio, engaged in the dialogue with Serbia, Edita Tahiri, rejected that the so-called “Sunny Valley” in Zveçan/Zvečan could be built legally. She warned that any attempt to start the construction would be stopped by Kosovo through the power of law. Tahiri said in the interview that the construction planned by Serbia would be an interference in the internal affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, adding that these type of projects are political and intend to change of the population structure in the North.
“Plans for ethnic cleansing in the north” (Zëri)
Kosovo Assembly Deputy Speaker and senior member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Xhavit Haliti, during an interview with the paper said there are plans for ethnic cleansing in northern Kosovo and called on Kosovo institutions to act fast while it is not too late. “Certain segments of the Serbian state are making pressure for ethnic cleansing of Mitrovica North,” he said. With regard to the construction of the “Sunny Valley” settlement in Zveçan/Zvečan, Haliti said that this was foreseen in the Ahtisaari status package. Haliti also called on the opposition parties to talk about border-demarcation with Montenegro in the Assembly prior to its ratification. “We are ready to discuss the demarcation issue with the opposition because the demarcation must be done”, Haliti said. He also said that the mandate of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) must be extended and Kosovo institutions must cooperate closely with it.
Hoti: Fund for the North integrates Serbs (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo’s Minister of Finance, Avdullah Hoti, assessed that Kosovo’s Development Plan for the North integrates Serbs. “Since 2013, when the Development Fund for the North was established, ten million Euros have been collected from the two border points in that part, six million are in the process of investments in different projects,” Hoti told Radio Free Europe. According to him, this fund has improved the quality of lives of the citizens in that part, and at the same time, it has had a positive impact on their integration in Kosovo institutions.
Kosovo becomes member of International Court of Arbitration (Indeksonline)
Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Enver Hoxhaj, told the news site that Kosovo was accepted as a full-fledged member of the International Court of Arbitration based in The Hague. “This is an important step for Kosovo’s full integration in international system. Kosovo is grateful to all countries that supported our bid,” Hoxhaj said.
Kerry to Hoxhaj: US helps Kosovo in Euro-Atlantic processes (Epoka e Re)
The U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, has congratulated Enver Hoxhaj on his nomination the Foreign Minister of Kosovo. He has reconfirmed that the U.S. will continue to help Kosovo on its journey towards the Euro-Atlantic processes. “The United States remain determined in support of the complete integration of Kosovo in the Euro-Atlantic family and in the international community as a sovereign, multi-ethnic and democratic state,” wrote Kerry.
