Thaçi: OSCE contributed to development and strengthening of democracy
(TV21, Klan Kosova)
President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, received on Monday in a farewell meeting the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger.
President Thaçi said that the OSCE has played an essential role in the organization of the general local elections in the northern part of Kosovo, and it has contributed to the development and strengthening of democracy in Kosovo.
Talking about the process of the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Balkan countries, President Thaçi said that ‘we cannot remain hostage of the past.’
On the other hand, the current Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger expressed his satisfaction with the role he has had in the implementation of the agreements reached within the dialogue.
Jablanovic uninformed of his dismissal from Management Team
(RTK2)
The Mayor of Leposavic/Leposaviq Municipality, Dragan Jablanovic, said that the Management Team for the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities was established in 2013 to organize elections in the northern part of Kosovo. He said that he was not informed about being dismissed from this body.
Jablanovic also said that Serb representatives in Kosovo Government from Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), respectively Ljubomir Maric and Dalibor Jevtic, are obstructing the progress in Leposavic/Leposaviq municipality.
According to Jablanovic, the municipality of Leposavic/Leposaviq is the only municipality in northern Kosovo which has no Memorandum of Cooperation with these two ministries.
Kosovo Ministry for Communities and Return reacted after Jablanovic’s accusations, considering these allegations false.
Ministry emphasized that with the revision of the budget of Kosovo, the budget for the capital projects for the ministry has been increased; however, Leposavic/Leposaviq municipality has requested more funds which are not permissible by law.
No movement on election reform
(KTV)
In the first months of 2014 of the election reform managed to pass only in principle at the Assembly of Kosovo, no matter that it was worked on it for three years.
Many meetings, official lunches and dinners, between the leaders and committees were held during that period and at the end of it the changes were only cosmetic, KTV reported.
2014 elections were done without a reform, while it is still unclear if a reform can be done for the future elections.
Chairperson of Kosovo Assembly legislation committee, Albulena Haxhiu, who comes from Vetëvendosje, says that draft law has remained somewhere in Assembly’s drawers, because there was no political will to make the reform.
Recently, there were some voices from PDK on potential early elections, for which Haxhiu believes that will happen soon. She says that reform cannot be done with this majority; therefore, elections are necessary.
In the meantime, Albert Krasniqi of Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) stresses that election reform is necessary to happen, but, according to him, at this situation, where there are these many polarisations, it is impossible.
He said that together with the election reform it must also be worked on changes on financing of political entities.
Beyani urges Kosovo and Serbia to find durable solutions for IDPs
(Klan Kosova)
Speaking at the end of his five-day visit to Serbia and Kosovo, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs), Chaloka Beyani, urged the Government of Serbia and Kosovo to find an urgent and durable solutions for citizens who have been displaced during the Kosovo conflict.
“All durable solutions for IDPs should remain as options open to them, and must be delinked from political processes”, the Special Rapporteur said.
According to the UN Refugee Agency, there are still some 88,000 vulnerable IDPs in Serbia and over 16,000 in Kosovo who remain with displacement related needs and lack durable solutions.
Beyani also expressed his concern that many IDPs are still living in squalid conditions, especially those belonging to the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities.
SAA implementation remains an issue
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Six months after ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), its implementation continues to remain an issue.
At a public discussion organised by the Assembly Committee on European Integration and the Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS), Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Nataliya Apostolova, stressed that rule of law is crucial and key to SAA.
According to her, EU wants to see a functional Assembly in Kosovo and zero tolerance against corruption, as well as equality of all in front of the law.
Chairperson of the European Integration Committee, Njomëza Emini, said that during these months of SAA’s entering into force the work balance unfortunately is not positive.
Whereas, Vjosa Osmani, member of this Committee, considered that foreign investors are being impeded to invest in Kosovo, by asking them 25% bribe upon their arrival at the airport.
Dren Doli of GLPS said it is necessary for all the political parties and institutions to demonstrate political will in implementation of the SAA.
Students oppose functionalization of a building at UP yard
(Most monitored broadcasters, Klan Kosova & KTV)
Dozens of students have read and discussed near the unfinished building, which is recently being aimed to be turned into a church at the University of Pristina (UP) yard.
Gathered around a student group called “Unity”, students say that the university campus should only be used by the students and for the students.
Whereas, Bekim Lumi, film professor at UP, said that religion and politics have nothing to do at the UP space, which, according to him, is inalienable.
Students continued to read for 45 minutes, as long as a teaching hour lasts. They said they do not have a concrete idea as what should be done with this building, but it must only be used for University’s purposes.
While students were reading, their activity was monitored by Kosovo Police members. Students have announced that they will continue this king of public reading and discussion in the coming days, too.
Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Branimir Stojanovic, has an epithet for those that are opposing functionalization of the Orthodox Church at the University yard, he calls them fascists, Klan Kosova reported.
He said it is clear that there are extremists and fascists who are fighting not to allow completion of this temple, but, to him, this is nothing new.
University of Pristina calls for return of its property
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Management of the University of Pristina (UP) called for return of its property at the university campus and expressed its concern over developments surrounding the building constructed without a permit.
“The process how this building was constructed in our property is widely known and so is the legal basis of this construction that was provided by a regime which for decades promoted and exerted violence and terror. Nonetheless, we hope that the institutions, through political and legal channels, will clarify the situation and to return our property so that together with the students we can continue the path of free academic advancement for all,” reads the UP’s management press release.
It highlights that this position should in no way be understood as interference with religious freedoms and the respect for all communities in Kosovo, which must be protected and respected.
Vujicic enters hunger strike, accuses Ahmeti of fascism
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Head of the Association of Kosovo Montenegrins, Slobodan Vujicic, has entered hunger strike on Monday morning, with the request for returning the monument of Boro Vukmirovic and the street name sign with the name of Radovan Zogovic.
Vujicic said he entered hunger strike because he is dissatisfied with Prishtinë/Pristina local authorities. He also said that he will not give up his strike until Prishtinë/Pristina Mayor, Shpend Ahmeti, returns them to their earlier place.
Vujicic accused Prishtinë/Pristina Mayor, Shpend Ahmeti, of fascism.
