Hahn: Visa liberalisation timing unclear (Zëri)
The European Union Commissioner for Neighboring Policies and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, told Radio Free Europe that that visa liberalisation timing was “unclear” and was dependent on finding solutions to the border dispute with Montenegro and building up a track record in fighting organized crime. He said that Kosovo did not fulfill the condition for liberalization of visas, which is demarcation of the border with Montenegro, and added that “everything now depends on Kosovo”.
Demarcation agreement to be resubmitted to the Assembly (Zëri)
The government of Kosovo is expected very soon to re-proceed at the Assembly the draft law for demarcation of the border between Kosovo and Montenegro. “There is no time limit but, but due to the significant processes as is the case with visa liberalization, we should return it to the Assembly as soon as possible. I believe this will be after consultations with partners of the coalition in the following days,” said Bajram Gecaj, Deputy Minister for Administration and Local Government, and adviser to the Prime Minister.
Border demarcation concessions (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo government’s insistence on ratifying the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro at all costs may result in further concessions for the Serbian List, writes the paper on the front page. Last week, the government withdrew the demarcation draft bill from the voting procedure at the Assembly due to the absence of the Serbian List MPs. And while it maintains it is not ready to make any deals with its lesser coalition partners, it continues to have talks with them to secure the required number of votes to pass the bill. Sources said that the Serbian List wants to see the speeding up of the process for establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities, have its members be appointed to the post of Kosovo Intelligence Agency deputy chief and to that of the Kosovo Security Force deputy commander. Another demand includes allowing the Serbian mobile telecom operator (MTS DOO) to place transmitters in different parts of Kosovo.
EP committee to vote today on visa liberalisation (Kosova Sot)
European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is expected to vote today whether to proceed with visa liberalisation process for Kosovo, Ukraine, and Georgia. The paper however writes that it is very unlikely that the visa regime will be lifted for Kosovo as European officials have warned that there are still two criteria that the local institutions need to fulfill.
UN urged to prevent Jeremic from appointment to top post (Bota Sot)
Mothers of missing persons and representatives of civil society organisations protested over the weekend in Pristina against the candidacy of Vuk Jeremic to the post of United Nations Secretary-General. The organisers read out a letter that they will also send to UN headquarters in New York where they accuse Jeremic of inciting hatred among the people.
