Braathu appointed as the new Head of the OSCE Mission to Kosovo
(RTK & KTV)
The current Ambassador of Norway to Kosovo, Jan Braathu, has been appointed as the new Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, the online edition of KTV and RTK reported.
Kosovo President, Hashim Thaçi congratulated Braathu on his appointment.
“Congratulations to the Ambassador of Norway to Kosovo, Jaan Braathu for his appointment as the new Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. I know the reputable Ambassador since the Conference in Rambouillet and I will have the pleasure to cooperate with him on his new position. He is an exceptional friend to Kosovo”, said Thaçi.
One-hundred new houses to be constructed for Serb returnees
(KTV)
Kosovo Ministry for Return and Communities announced that 100 new houses will be built for Serb returnees in Kosovo during this year.
While some of these houses are expected to be constructed in village Mushtisht, Suharekë/Suva Reka municipality, in village Babush of Ferizaj/Urosevac, 80 houses which have been constructed years ago have already been demolished, as Serbs never returned to live in these houses, KTV reported.
All these houses were complete, including interior and accompanying infrastructure. A school and a health centre were constructed also in order to reintegrate the returned Serbs. However, these uninhabited houses, which cost to Government of Kosovo over EUR 2 million, have been destroyed entirely.
All these funds have been unreasonably spent, as besides 5 families no other Serb returned to live there, KTV reported.
Ferizaj/Urosevac municipality officials admitted that they are aware about this issue, and suggested to ask the Serbs if they would want to return because, as according to them, those Serbs that have already been integrated in Serbia will barely return.
Bahtiri: Assembly should discuss about the blockade of Ibër Bridge
(KTV)
The predictions of the mayor of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica south, Agim Bahtiri that in July the barricade over Ibër Bridge will be removed did not materialize. He was confident that this issue will be settled by the European Union, but as the latter did not provide any solution, Bahtiri is considering a different alternative.
Bahtiri says that Kosovo Assembly should discuss the blockade on Ibër Bridge.
On the other hand, internationals have constantly told KTV almost the same answer that the EU in its role as the facilitator is working with the parties to implement what has been agreed.
This blockade is hindering the free movement of citizens, who are desperate that nothing has progress since 17 years in this director.
Legal expert oppose the establishment of the Information Commissioner
(KTV)
After complaints that that Government of Kosovo is not implementing the Law on Access to Public Documents, the Government says that they are working in amending this law. The amendment expected to be made, foresees also the establishment of the Information Commissioner’s position.
But legal experts consider this as unnecessary. Flutura Kusari says that the role of Information Commissioner is implemented by the Ombudsperson, and, as she said, such an initiative would just deepen the closure of the institutions.
This initiative of the Government is also unacceptable for Kosovo Ombudsperson, Hilmi Jashari. According to him, the issue of the non-implementation of this law is of a practical nature and not a legal one.
During 2015, Ombudsperson received 33 complaints related to limitations in accessing public documents. Out of these complaints, 23 have been accepted for investigation while 10 have been rejected.
Rasic submits ministry’s instruction on pensions to the Constitutional Court
(KTV)
Srpska List MP and former Kosovo minister of labor and social welfare (MLSW), Nenad Rasic addressed to the Constitutional Court the MLSW’s Administrative Instruction which would leave pensioners that do not live in Kosovo without basic pensions.
The administrative instruction which defines the procedures and necessary documents for receiving the basic pensions has started to stop the basic pensions for thousands of pensioners who live in Serbia but come here only to receive pensions, Koha.net portal reported.
This step taken by current MLSW minister Arban Abrashi aims to clear pension’s scheme and other schemes which are overloaded with irregularities.
Newly established municipalities request Government’s assistance
(KTV)
Ahtisaari’s package and decentralization have triggered new problems. Some of the newly established municipalities, established based on these agreements, are in serious financial crisis, KTV reported.
Municipalities of Hani i Elezit/Elez Han, Mamuşa/Mamushë/Mamuša, Klokot/Kllokot, Obiliq/Obilic, Junik, Partes/Partesh, and Ranilug/Ranillug, unable to fulfil their obligations to citizens and businesses, have requested assistance from the Government to increase the allocated budgets.
However, in order to assist these municipalities, the Government of Kosovo was forced to amend the Law on Local Government Finance.
By amending this law, which will be in power for a transitional period until 2019, the Government allocates 2.7 per cent of the general grant to municipalities which have less than 22 thousands residents.
On the other hand, civil society representatives consider this as an alarm for politicians. According to them, new municipalities should not be established just to gain more votes in elections.
