Thaçi: Delays by the EU might create space for dangerous ideologies
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Security situation in Kosovo and threats from political and religious extremism were the main topics of the second day of the 93rd Rose Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly which is being held in Prishtinë/Pristina.
Speaking about Kosovo’s aspiration to become member of NATO and the EU, President Hashim Thaçi, said that the delays of the EU and NATO in the integration of the Western Balkans create space that might be used for other dangerous ideologies and agenda.
“Any delay of the EU and NATO will be misused by others”, said President Thaçi.
He said that he does not agree with the EU’s condition that Kosovo must ratify the demarcation before getting visa liberalisation. According to Thaçi, there are several EU member states that have not defined their border issues. However he stressed that the Agreement on Border Demarcation is just and in interest of both countries.
President Thaçi also emphasized that Kosovo wants to have the consent of all communities for the establishment of Kosovo Armed Forces.
The U.S Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delawie, on the other hand, said that NATO will not pull out from Kosovo; however he noted that KFOR cannot remain forever in Kosovo.
“Should KFOR remain forever here? I would say no. Can Kosovo have an effective Army? I would say yes. We believe that KSF can gradually be transformed into an Army,” said Ambassador Delawie.
93rd Rose Roth seminar of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly will conclude on Monday while this was the first time Kosovo hosted this seminar, KTV reported.
Company that will facilitate recruitment in public institutions selected
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
United Kingdom Embassy to Kosovo signed a contract with “BDO LLP” company to assist Kosovo institutions in recruiting candidates for senior positions in public institutions of Kosovo.
This contract has been signed within the project ‘Strengthening of the good governance, transparency and accountability of Kosovo public institutions.” This is a joint project with the Assembly and Government of Kosovo. The three institutions have agreed a list of 30 vacancies within 20 public institutions of Kosovo for which candidates shall be recruited before March of 2017.
“Nepotism and clientelism are Kosovo’s main issues. I am happy that we can support Kosovo Assembly and Government to make positive changes,” said British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell.
Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli considered this initiative as an important process for de-politicization of senior state positions.
Prime Minister Isa Mustafa said that Government has marked concrete results in all aspects related to reforms, which, according to him, have increased the accountability, transparency and the trust of citizens’ and international partners.
Excavations in Krizevak suspended for the third time
(KTV)
Hopes of the families of missing persons to have information about the fate of their loved ones are fading away, KTV reported.
For the third time, excavations in a suspected mass grave in Krizevak of Serbia have been suspended. It is suspected that bodies of Albanians killed during the recent conflict have been buried in those locations. The situation got even more complicated, when the families learned that the main witness has passed away.
Representatives of the families of missing persons are dissatisfied with the Serbian side who is claiming lack of funds for the continuation of excavations and as well with the Kosovo side.
Kosovo Governmental Commission for Missing Persons said that suspected locations in Krizevak have been identified but the Serbian side hesitates to carry out the excavations.
Young people learn critical thinking skills
(RTK1)
UNICEF Innovations Lab is organizing a three-day workshop that aims to strengthen the role of young people from Kosovo. 30 young people from all over Kosovo, aged between 14 and 20 years-old are attending this workshop. The main topic of discussion is the daily information they receive from media.
Through critical thinking and reading, the group of young people aims to review the media information from a critical and useful perspective.
Workshop participants do not consider the coverage of political events by the media in their interests, but rather as in the interest of the media themselves. They pointed out the lack of social issues in the media, as well as economy and education topics.
Fani Farmaki, Senior Programme Officer in the OSCE Mission in Kosovo said that in line with the framework Strategy for Youth 2013-2017, we work to increase civic activism of young people and their inclusion in the decision making process.
While, Valon Nushi, Coordinator of YEP Pillar, said that short term media internships will be offered to participants who will demonstrate qualitative writing skills.
Deçan/Decan and Junik argue about delimitation of administrative borders
(KTV)
Deçan/Decan municipal officials dispute the administrative border with the Municipality of Junik. Residents of Voksh region of Deçan/Decan municipality expressed against the delimitation of administrative borders with Junik municipality. According to them, since 2008 part of territories that belonged to Deçan/Decan are under the administration of Junik municipality.
According to Deçan/Decan Municipal Administration Director, Bashkim Ramosaj, Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA) did not consult them at all when defining the administrative border between these two municipalities.
On the other hand, Junik municipal officials denied to have received any complaints from Deçan/Decan.
Representatives of Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA) stated that delimitation between these two municipalities has been done in compliance with the Law and following a prior consultation with Deçan/Decan municipality.
