Thaçi calls upon MPs to ratify demarcation with Montenegro
(Klan Kosova & RTK1)
U.S Vice President Joe Biden conveyed clear messages during his visit to Kosovo. One of the messages conveyed by VP Biden is that Kosovo should respect the international agreements, including the ratification of the demarcation with Montenegro, RTK1 reported.
After VP Biden’s visit, which was considered as very important, Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, through a video message, addressed to the citizens of Kosovo.
He said that the success of the Kosovo judo-player Majlinda Kelmendi, admission in UEFA and FIFA, the positive visa liberalisation recommendation, signing of SAA and few other successes of Kosovo might be the last of this European year, if the Agreement on Demarcation is not ratified on 01 September. Thaçi urged MPs to ratify the demarcation, as, according to him, this would reconfirm Kosovo’s partnership with the U.S.
“Dear citizens’, any delay by the Assembly of Kosovo in ratifying the demarcation undermines Kosovo’s European future. It would break the hopes and the trust of Kosovo citizens that they will travel, during this year, without visas in the ‘Schengen Area’. But this would not be the only damage but only the beginning of the consequences. Because, if we fail to ratify the demarcation, then we will be late in establishing Kosovo Armed Forces and the NATO integration process would be postponed for an indefinite period of time,” emphasized President Thaçi during his speech.
“We cannot correct the historic injustices now. But we can ensure a Euro-Atlantic future. Also, the Agreement for the establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities must be implemented. This will be done in compliance with the laws and the Constitution of Kosovo”, said President Thaçi among other topics.
Mustafa: Kosovo should fulfil its international obligations
(TV21)
A day after the visit of the U.S Vice President Joe Biden, Kosovo Prime Minister, and Isa Mustafa said that U.S is Kosovo’s biggest supporter. However, PM Mustafa emphasized that Kosovo should fulfil its international obligation: the ratification of the demarcation with Montenegro and the implementation of the agreements reached in Brussels.
Srpska List commends Biden’s visit to Kosovo
(TV21)
Srpska List considers the visit of the U.S Vice President Joe Biden to Kosovo and Serbia as very important. Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic said that the support of the U.S is essential and should continue. Commenting the request of VP Biden to establish the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities, Stojanovic said that the message conveyed by VP Biden was clear. Stojanovic emphasized that the Association is crucial for the Serbs to get organized.
Vetëvendosje calls a general protest on 01 September
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Vetëvendosje Movement (VV) called a protest for 01 September, on the day when the Assembly of Kosovo will have in its agenda the ratification of the Agreement on Demarcation with Montenegro. It was stated that VV MPs will protest inside the Assembly against this agreement, but without defining the way how they will protest.
At a press conference staged on Thursday, VV leader Visar Ymeri, announcing the protest said that they unsuccessfully tried to meet with other opposition parties about this issue.
“Today we are announcing 01 September as the date for the general protest.We must stop demarcation by all means and by any democratic tool,” said Ymeri.
On the other hand, AAK representatives said that they have not decided yet about joining the protest.
Serbs not aware about the right to use their language in institutions
(RTK2)
Incorrect use and grammatical mistakes in the translation of official documents are only some of the problems in implementation of the Law on the use of the Serbian language in Kosovo.
One of the basic human rights is the right to use and preserve the mother tongue. According to Kosovo legislation, Albanian and Serbian languages have equal status and equal rights as to their use in all Kosovo institutions. But this is often not respected, RTK2 reported.
Sanja Vukovic from the Office of the Language Commissioner says that there are problems in implementing the Law on the use of the Serbian language in Kosovo. According to her, a big number of Serbs are not aware that they are entitled to use their own language in all institutions and in any place in Kosovo.
Laws, regulations of institutions, court verdicts or traffic penalties prove that the Law on the use of Serbian language is not properly implemented. This situation is justified with the lack of the professional cadre, which also reflects on the quality of the official translations, RTK2 reported.
Albanian and Serbian languages have an equal status according to the law, but in the everyday life, Kosovo citizens rarely speak the languages of other communities.
Different from the past, nowadays, Albanians and Serbs rarely learn each other’s language. Translator, Bojana Radovanovic says that it is necessary to learn the language of the first neighbour, as, according to her, this facilitates the life in a multi-ethnic society.
Amendment of the Criminal Code not foreseen in the legislative calendar
(KTV)
The initiative of Kosovo President, Hashim Thaçi to amend the Criminal Code is on the right track but this is not planned in the agenda of the legislative for this year, KTV reported.
Kosovo Chief State Prosecutor, Aleksandër Lumezi also requested the amendment of the Criminal Code and the same was requested by the U.S Vice President Joe Biden during his visit to Kosovo.
However, such amendments are not foreseen by the legislative calendar for this year.
Assembly Legislation Committee chairperson, Albulena Haxhiu admits that so far there were no real initiatives to amend the Criminal Code, except statements in the media. However, she expressed her readiness to support any potential amendment that would help fight the crime, but according to her, Kosovo needs firstly to be liberated by the institutional ‘criminals’ and prosecutors delegated by them.
