Mogherini calls for sooner ratification of demarcation

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, told Kosovars to be more optimistic about the decision on visa liberalisation.

During the meeting with the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi in Brussels, she requested sooner fulfilment of the last criterion on visas – ratification of the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro.

Thaçi said that Kosovo expects a meritorious decision regarding visas. Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia was also a topic of this meeting. Thaçi stressed that this process has positively impacted on peace building and stability all over the Western Balkans.

“A visible and sustainable improvement in relations between Kosovo and Serbia is needed so that normalisation of relations can take deeper roots and that both can continue on their respective European paths,” Mogherini stated referring to dialogue.

Mogherini and Thaçi also welcomed the recent extension of EULEX mandate by the Assembly of Kosovo. President Thaçi was also received by the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz.

Çollaku: Demarcation not necessarily prior to summer recess

(KTV)

Ratification of the agreement on demarcation with Montenegro can be done until the end of the year, not necessarily during this session of the Assembly, Minister of European Integration Bekim Çollaku said. He added that it is important for demarcation ratification to be done within 2016. Çollaku is also convinced that Kosovo will not lose any land with the demarcation.

However, he clarified that this remains a condition of European Commission for Kosovo and it will not change. He also called for consensus between all the parties, while he said that the process will not return to point zero.

Political analyst, Emrush Ujkani, said that citizens must be assured that no time or territory will be lost. Nevertheless, he said that border delineation should be done with consensus.

EULEX suspected of misusing the budget

(KTV)

A big deal was made regarding the extension or non-extension of the mandate of EULEX, but the European Mission itself is having problems with law. Payment for the Constitutional Court judge Robert Carolan has become the reason for this Mission to be investigated by the European Anti-Fraud Office.

KTV learned from its sources within EULEX Mission that judge Carolan has threatened this Mission that he will leave his job of the Constitutional Court judge if he does not continue to be paid, even though he spends most of the time in the United States.

This source, a senior EULEX official, told KTV that EULEX has agreed with Carolan’s conditions, as with the new changes of the European Mission, in case the international judges in the Constitutional Court leave, they will be replaced with local judges. The source told KTV that EULEX is not willing to replace him with a local judge.

Thus, his contract and payment that EULEX makes to the American judge has become a subject to investigation of the European Anti-Fraud Office, which investigates misuses with the budget within the EU institutions.

The investigation was not denied by the Anti-Fraud Office, whereas EULEX did not want to speak about the case. The Constitutional Court of Kosovo did not respond to questions of this TV broadcaster.

Jevtic refuses statements that Serb ministers respond to Mustafa’s invitations

(Klan Kosova)

Serb ministers in the Government of Kosovo are more often seen besides the Belgrade officials than at the company of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa. Minister for Communities and Return, Dalibor Jevtic, says that PM is to be blamed for this, who does not invite them.  Klan Kosova reported that Jevtic became the first Serb minister to take part in the meeting held together with the Albanian Government on 3 June.

“I have responded positively every time that Prime Minister Isa Mustafa invited me in person for any visit or other meeting. The statement that Serb ministers do not go for visits with the Prime Minister, do not stand,” Jevtic said.

Deputy Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic and Minister of Local Government Administration, Ljubomir Maric, did not want to comment their appearances together with Belgrade officials.

Jevtic said their appearance along Serbian officials is completely legal, adding that Kosovo Constitution guarantees and allows Kosovo Serb political representatives to cooperate with Belgrade.

In Mustafa’s cabinet denied having had cases when these ministers refused requests of Prime Minister for joint visits.

Petrit Zogaj of FOL Movement said these Serb ministers have challenged the authority of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa in several occasions.

Mushtisht villagers against return of Serb IDPs

(KTV)

Albanian residents of Mushtishtë village of Suharekë/Suva Reka municipality consider the return of internally displaced Serbs to this village as provocation, KTV reported.

Announcement of the Kosovo Minister for Communities and Return, Dalibor Jevtic, that several houses will be constructed for return of Serb IDPs has triggered dissatisfaction among Albanian families whose relatives have been murdered during the conflict.

Albanians consider that coexistence with Serbs is unacceptable until perpetrators of these crimes do not face justice and Serbs do not apologize.

Suharekë/Suva Reka opposition parties consider that return of Serbs will be followed by tensions and difficulties.

However, Suharekë/Suva Reka mayor Sali Asllanaj confirms that a meeting of municipal officials with Serb representatives took place few days ago related to the return of 10 Serb families in Mushtisht village. He anticipates a return without any problems and expects funds to be allocated for construction of the houses.

Asllanaj also denied statements of Minister Jevtic that Mushtisht villagers always attack and stone Serbs during their visits to this village.

Out of 230 Serb families that used to live in Mushtisht, only ten families have requested to return so far, KTV reported.

Djuric requests immediate release of arrested Serbs

(Klan Kosova & RTK2)

After the St. Trinity feast celebrations, Kosovo Police arrested six Serbian citizens in Petric village of Klinë/ Klina municipality, RTK2 reported.

“While checking their documents, the intoxicated suspects firstly insulted and then assaulted the police officers. As a result of this, four police officers sustained bodily injuries. The suspects got arrested and were sent to the detention based on prosecutor’s order,” the report of Kosovo Police reads.

Marko Djuric, Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo, condemned their arrest and requested immediate release for them.

Establishment of Assembly Ethics Committee requested

(TV21)

During a meeting with Kosovo MPs, a delegation of US Congress requested the establishment of Assembly Ethics Committee, considering it as an urgent matter following the recent events in the Assembly.

According to the US Congress delegation, the Ethics Committee will also serve to penalize all MPs who violate professional ethics and with their actions damage the MP’s reputation.

On the other hand, Kosovo MPs pledged to support establishment of this Committee.