Ambassador Schlumberger held farewell meeting with Serbian FM Dacic
(RTK2)
Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic received on Monday a farewell visit from the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger.
Support for further OMIK activities in a status-neutral way and in compliance with the UN SC Resolution 1244, was highlighted at the meeting.
Hoti urges municipalities to be more efficient in spending the budget
(Klan Kosova)
Representatives of the Ministry of Finances and the Association of Kosovo Municipalities gathered on Monday to discuss the development of municipal budgets for the next three years, for the municipalities of Prishtinë/Pristina and Mitrovicë/Mitrovica region.
In this Forum that was organized in cooperation with the OSCE Mission, it was announced that in the context of amending the draft-law for local government finances, an amount of EUR 4 Million has been distributed to municipalities with a population under 22 thousand inhabitants. Although this allocation has been welcomed by the municipalities, they admitted to have difficulties with the current budget.
Obiliq/Obilic Municipal Economy and Finances Director, Zarife Behluli, said that they always have problems with the budget.
While, the Mayor of Vushtrri/Vuctirn, Bajram Mulaku said that the capital investments of the Government for 2016 are reduced compared to the plans from the previous year.
Kosovo Minister of Finances Avdullah Hoti answered to the complaints of the municipal officials, saying that the budget has not been changed but emphasized that the expenditure should be more efficient.
Discussions about the challenges of municipalities in the budget process will continue in other municipalities, too.
Nikolic reiterates the importance of the UN Mission in Kosovo
(RTK2)
On Monday, the Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic discussed with UNMIK Chief Zahir Tanin about the role of the UN Mission in Kosovo. Dacic reiterated the important role of the UN Mission in Kosovo and expressed his expectation that its scope would remain unchanged.
On the other hand, UNMIK Chief Tanin said that the quarterly report of the Secretary-General at the next meeting of the Security Council on the work of UNMIK in Kosovo will be realistic, balanced and status neutral.
Strong explosion heard near RTK antennas in Prishtinë/Pristina
(RTK1 23:00)
RTK1 in its late news edition reported that a strong detonation has alarmed the employees of RTK1, RTK2 and RTK3 in Prishtinë/Pristina. The detonation is suspected to have happened near the antennas of this broadcaster.
The detonation happened around 2200hrs while Kosovo Police and fire-fighters arrived at the scene and are carrying out investigations to determine the type of the explosive device. Detonation did not cause any damage, RTK1 reported.
Thaçi urges MPs to ratify the demarcation
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi again urged MPs ratify the Border Demarcation Agreement with Montenegro. Thaçi, through a post in Facebook account, said that different political entities are using false causes for personal interests and political gains.
According to President Thaçi, the political spectrum and MPs should rise above any interest and provincial mind-set and to vote the Agreement.
Stojanovic: Srpska List to announce soon its stance about the demarcation
(KTV)
Ratification of the Demarcation Agreement with Montenegro is expected to be discussed and put to vote on the session of Kosovo Assembly scheduled for 01 September, the online version of this broadcaster reported. 80 votes are required for ratification of this Agreement. Currently, the ruling coalition is trying to convince MPs and get the required number of votes to pass the demarcation. Srpska List, with its 11 MPs, is also part of the ruling coalition.
Branimir Stojanovic from Srpska List told Radio Free Europe that they will soon come forward with an official stance on the demarcation issue.
“As always, Srpska List will present its stance. Therefore I would not comment this issue now”, Stojanovic said.
Police: Billboard in Mushtisht has no incriminating elements
(RTK1)
Kosovo Police officials stated that there are no incriminating elements in the case of a billboard placed at the entrance of Mushtisht village of Suhareka/Suva Reka municipality, which shows pictures of burned houses in this village during the last conflict.
Kosovo Police spokesman in Prizren, Hazir Berisha, told Radio Free Europe the police did not find elements of criminal act since, according to him, this is also related to the freedom of speech of citizens and, as he said, it is not forbidden or illegal.
Placement of this billboard has been strongly condemned by Kosovo Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic.
Muja’s retrial to resume within few months
(KTV)
Ramadan Muja’s retrial in Court of Appeals is expected to resume within few months. This was confirmed to KTV by this Court, which is competent to treat the case of Prizren Mayor.
Based on judicial practices, Muja’s case might not be concluded before the next municipal elections.
Opposition parties in Prizren and civil society have continuously criticized the delays about this case, considering the delays as intentional in order to avoid early municipal elections in Prizren.
The Mayor of Prizren, Ramadan Muja was sentenced in 2014 to 2 years of imprisonment with execution being suspended for 3 years and prohibition of exercising public administration or public service functions for 30 months.
