Government postpones meeting on demarcation

(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1 & KTV)

Discussion and submission of the agreement on border demarcation between Kosovo and Montenegro, was the second point of the agenda, but the meeting of Kosovo Government scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed.

The postponement was confirmed by ministers of Kosovo Government, who said that the postponement happened because of Prime Minister’s busy agenda, KTV reported.

While the Government plans to proceed to the Assembly the agreement which was signed on 27 August last year in Vienna, MPs of opposition and ruling parties say that they have no information about this agreement.

Deputy Assembly Speaker of PDK, Xhavit Haliti, said that PM Mustafa might call for an extraordinary session of the Assembly on demarcation, but, as he said, it is up to the MPs to vote in favor or against this agreement.

On the other, LDK MP Vjosa Osmani considered that demarcation should not be proceeded through fast-track procedures to the Assembly, as, according to her, MPs still do not know the content of this agreement. According to her, this agreement has been kept away from MPs for more than a year without any reason, which, as she said, turned this issue from a professional matter to a political one.

Vetëvendosje Movement (VV) MP, Donika Kadaj-Bujupi reiterated the stance of VV against the demarcation in the current version, while, according to her, VV is open for discussion at a roundtable with experts.

AAK called upon MPs of Kosovo Assembly to vote against the current demarcation agreement with Montenegro.

Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) also called upon Kosovo Government to clear up the dilemmas about the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro before submitting it to the Assembly for ratification.

For KDI, the need for an open parliamentary debate about this open issue is essential while they also requested to avoid hasty decisions which might be irreversible.

O’Connell: Government to organize public debates about demarcation

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Government of Kosovo should present the facts to its citizens on the way how the border demarcation with Montenegro has been done, this was the recommendation of the United Kingdom Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell on Tuesday.

After a meeting he had with Kosovo Minister of Foreign Affairs, Enver Hoxhaj, O’Connell emphasized that all the facts should be taken into consideration about this issue.  He said that he understands people who feel good, thinking they are defending Kosovo and its land, but according to him, before proceeding in this direction, it should be looked at what has really happened, KTV reported.

According to him, Government of Kosovo might review the option to open a public debate on this issue and inform citizens with the facts.

On the other hand, Minister Hoxhaj spoke about the importance of border demarcation with a UN member state, but he did not reveal when it will be submitted to the Assembly for ratification, as according to him, this is a matter for the PM.

As it regards new recognitions of Kosovo, Minister Hoxhaj pledged that he will make outmost efforts to secure more recognition for Kosovo to enable it to gain membership in international organizations.

Ambassador O’Connell emphasized that regardless of the recent developments in Great Britain; his country will remain an important supporter of Kosovo and will also help in in its path to joining international organizations

LDK Presidency discussed demarcation issue

(Klan Kosova)

LDK Presidency, during an urgent meeting held on Tuesday evening, discussed about the demarcation with Montenegro and Government’s reshuffle, Klan Kosova reported.

However, LDK representatives denied that the postponement of the Government meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, happened because they don’t have the necessary votes of MPs to ratify the demarcation agreement in the Assembly.

LDK spokesperson, Arban Abrashi said that the meeting had nothing to do with the number of votes, but said that the postponement happened because of the Prime Minister’s busy agenda.

He stressed that they are working closely with the coalition partner on this issue and that demarcation shall be soon submitted to the Assembly. According to him, demarcation should be voted as soon as possible, because, as he said, it is one of visa liberalization criteria.

Abrashi said that they have also discussed about potential changes in Government, particularly about closing some ministries and merging some others.

However no decision derived out of this meeting. Abrashi announced that in the coming days they will come forward with concrete proposals about this matter.

Stojanovic calls upon KFOR to protect Paralovo/Parallovë Serbs

(RTK2) 

“Police is incapable and uninterested; I call upon KFOR to set up a military post in Paralovo/Parallovë village,” said Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic, after the recent attack against Stojkovic family from Paralovo/Parallovë village, Novo Brdo/Novobërdë municipality, the online version of RTK2 reported. 

Stojanovic said that they are worried by the recent attacks that are continuously taking place for several years now.

“We are appalled by the inability, and now, also we suspect of the complicity of police in the systematic harassment of Paralovo/Parallovë residents”, Stojanovic said.

Condemning the incident which happened last night in Paralovo/Parallovë village, Deputy PM stated that they have lost the patience but also the trust in police. He called upon KFOR to set up its checkpoint in this village, in order to protect the residents and their properties.

“As Deputy Prime Minister, I will directly address this request to KFOR because my pleas and appeals addressed so far to Kosovo Police Directorate obviously have not been taken into consideration. Therefore from the police in Gjilan/Gnijlane region, and particularly, from the police in Novo Brdo/Novobërdë, I don’t expect anything anymore”, said Stojanovic.

Srpska List conditions the establishment of KAF

(RTK1)

Transformation of Kosovo Security Force to army remains a challenge. This issue remains part of Kosovo political statements whereas seems that the main obstacle for the establishment of Kosovo Armed Forces (KAF) is Srpska List, RTK1 reported.

LDK admits this, while PDK officials say that no one can stop Kosovo from having its army.

According to RTK1 sources, the main request of Srpska List, except the Association of Serb majority municipalities, is also KAF’s deputy commander position.

Moreover, according to the member of the Kosovo Assembly Internal Affairs Committee, Rexhep Selimi, Srpska List main condition is the establishment of a battalion within the army, which, according to him, is unacceptable.

Assembly Committee adopts draft-law on Child Protection

(Klan Kosova)

On its Tuesday meeting, the Assembly Committee on Human Rights, Gender Equality, Missing Persons and Petitions, approved in principle the draft law on Child Protection. Committee members had several comments on the draft-law, particularly to the allocated budget of 180,000 Euros for 2017-2018 dedicated to child protection and victims of trafficking, Klan Kosova reported.

Srpska List MP Nenad Rasic said that there is no difference in the budget compared to the previous years. MP Kujtim Baxhaku said that there are no clear recommendations about the ways how child trafficking can be prevented.