Lack of quorum postpones discussion on EULEX to Friday
(Klan Kosova)
Members of the Kosovo Assembly did not vote on Thursday for the EULEX mandate extension. Although it was included in the agenda for discussion, this point was postponed for Friday at 11:00hrs due to lack of quorum.
Draft laws on EULEX should have two-thirds of MP votes, but the coalition PDK-LDK-Srpska List and others did not have the 81 necessary votes.
Other TV broadcasters reported that the two draft laws on EULEX were adopted by the Government of Kosovo and they were also approved by the Assembly Legislation Committee.
Voting for visa liberalisation in early fall
(RTK2, RTK1)
Most likely, the European Parliament will vote for visa liberalisation of Kosovo in early fall. This agenda was presented on Thursday when the EP Rapporteur for liberalisation of visas for Kosovo, Tanja Fajon, presented her draft at the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.
In her presentation, Fajon said that visa liberalisation is a complex issue and very sensitive for Kosovars, as the country remained isolated for too long.
She underlined in front of Members of the European Parliament that Kosovo side has met 90 criteria, which is the double compared to the one requested from the other Western Balkan countries.
“The longer that we will keep a country isolated, we will also create the ground for organised crime because of illegal travels and forged documents,” Fajon cautioned.
She urged Prishtinë/Pristina to ratify demarcation of the border with Montenegro at the earliest time possible, although she continues to have doubts if this condition is fair, as it did not exist as a request in other cases of visa liberalisation. Nevertheless, Fajon considers that European Commission’s recommendation is clear and that the two remaining criteria must be met prior to the decision on visa abolishment.
Representatives of all political groups at the EP supported visa liberalization for Kosovo in principle, RTK1 reported.
No Association without implementation of agreements from Serbia
(Most monitored broadcasters, Klan Kosova)
Minister for Dialogue with Serbia, Edita Tahiri, accused the Serbian side for non-implementation of agreements reached in Brussels. In the periodical report presented at the EU headquarters, Kosovo Government accused Belgrade for blocking the agreement on dial code and the one on energy.
According to this document, as a response to Serbia’s blockades, Kosovo has made it clear that it will not take any action for implementation of the Agreement on the Association Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo, before Serbia will remove its blockade on dial code for Kosovo and independent operation of KOSTT, same as before the barricade over Ibër River in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica is not removed.
Director of Serbian Office for Kosovo at the Serbian Government, Marko Djuric, reacted against these conclusions. He called on officials in Brussels to react against Prishtinë/Pristina’s efforts to condition establishment of the Association.
MPs demand accountability for the tragic death of Prizren girl
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The tragic death of Prizren three-year-old girl has triggered harsh debates in the Assembly of Kosovo during Thursday’s session.
MPs demanded accountability from those who have neglected their duty, KTV reported. They said that Xheneta Gashi’s family needs institutional assistance.
On the other hand, Vetëvendosje MP Glauk Konjufca expressed his concern about the existence of parallel structure in Kosovo north. He showed a photography depicting Klokot/Kllokot mayor exercising at polygon in the north which, according to him, was funded by Belgrade.
Opposition MPs during the time for parliamentary questions criticized Kosovo Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa. PM Mustafa was not present at all during the session, while the opposition MPs said that the PM is avoiding his accountability.
Tërmkolli wants revision of demarcation with Montenegro
(KTV)
MPs of the ruling coalition also consider that demarcation with Montenegro should be revised.
After the PDK MPs Xhavit Haliti and Adem Grabovci, LDK MP Melihate Tërmkolli also said that the demarcation should be revised. She said that the Government Commission for Border Demarcation with Montenegro should be dismissed.
On the other hand, Muharrem Nitaj of AKK said that submission of the demarcation to Assembly for ratification would be a provocation.
Several MPs of the ruling coalition have recently called for establishment of a new commission to assess demarcation with Montenegro.
Shaip Havolli to head Anti-Corruption Agency in the next five years
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Assembly of Kosovo has appointed Shaip Havolli as the new Director of Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency (KACA).
Havolli got a five-year mandate from 47 MPs who voted in his favour, while his counter candidate, Burim Sadiku, took 31 votes.
Havolli comes at this post after Hasan Preteni, who was in this post so far. Until now, Shaip Havolli was chief of economic crimes investigations at the Kosovo Police.
KACA to make scrutinize checks of senior public officials
(Klan Kosova)
Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, Deputy PM Hajredin Kuçi, Prishtinë/Pristina mayor Shpend Ahmeti are among the senior public officials who will be subject to scrutinized checks of assets by the Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency, online edition Klan Kosova reported.
806 senior public officials, out of 3,900 officials who have declared their assets, will be a subject to a scrutinized check by KACA.
These checks will be completed by the end of this year and KACA will publish the main findings.
