Assembly session on KLA war values ends with tensions, continues on Friday

(KTV – Interactive)

Over ten-hour long debate at plenary session of the Assembly of Kosovo ended without approval of the draft-resolution on defence of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) values.

Different from the initial hours of the session, debate escalated at the end of it followed with tense situations between MPs.

As in a quiz show, in his speech, Vetëvendosje MP Glauk Konjufca said he would read a statement to PDK MPs and ask them later how many agree with it.

“The statement is this: ‘A very big contribution against us’ he is saying against KLA, because he is a KLA commander – ‘A very big contribution against us has been made by our fellow party members’, he is saying from you, ‘from ministers and deputy ministers. Their intensive lobbying in embassies and in EULEX against us for a long time has given its adequate and expected results, and this is why we are being convicted.’ How many of you from PDK agree with this statement? And I am telling you who said this. It was said by the one that was convicted in Drenica Case, Sami Lushtaku,” Konjufca said.

But when he revealed name of the author of this statement some took it as a joke, while PDK MP Nuredin Lushtaku rushed toward Konjufca telling him that it was him that called Sami Lushtaku a criminal.

Kosovo Assembly Speaker approached and discussed with Lushtaku and Konjufca later, while in his address to MPs Speaker Veseli said that MPs themselves were asking for trouble. He warned them by saying ‘do not kill yourselves’! Veseli said he will not take over responsibility as Assembly Speaker if MPs continued to behave like that.

The session will continue on Friday at 10:00hrs in the effort to try voting the draft-resolution again.

EU Office in Kosovo to MPs: Do not question court decisions

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV&TV21)

The European Union Office in Prishtinë/Pristina has requested from the Kosovo Assembly MPs to refrain from calls which put court decision into question. The EU Office called on MPs to take into consideration division of powers and not interfere in court decisions.

In a statement for Kallxo.com, EU Office in Prishtinë/Pristina among others said that: “In democracy, the Parliament is the place for political debate on the key matters in interest of people. This debate however should always be made by respecting fully the line between the government from judiciary, executive and legislation, as ground of democracy. The elected officials and public authorities, including MPs, should however restrain from calls that question the decisions of the court, because implementation of the rule of law requires unconditional respect of the court decisions and division of powers.”

This call was made on the day that Members of Kosovo Assembly were discussing approval a resolution against the Court’s decision which confirms the sentence for Drenica I and Drenica II cases.

Kosovo Judicial Council also has called on political parties to refrain from statements regarding court decisions, KTV reported.

“Court decisions are based on the law and anyone that seeks to intervene in these decisions directly interferes and undermines the independent work of the judiciary,” said KJC in a statement.

Mogherini tells Vucic that Brussels agreements must be swiftly implemented

(Klan Kosova, KTV)

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, spoke on the phone to Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic on Thurdsay.

According to Serbian media, Vucic and Mogherini agreed that it is necessary to implement the agreements that Belgrade and Prishtinë/Pristina reached in Brussels as soon as possible, as this is a basic condition for resumption of dialogue on other important topics.

A statement of Serbian Government says that Prime Minister Vucic and High Representative Mogherini agreed that the continuation of Serbia’s European path is of crucial importance, not only for political but also for the economic future of Serbia.

Tahiri: Kosovo has not conditioned Serbia in any way

(KTV)

“Prishtinë/Pristina has not conditioned Serbia in any way, but the document for which Belgrade is talking about has been submitted to Brussels in 2014 in the framework of agreements for topics that would be discussed during talks between Prishtinë/Pristina and Belgrade,” Kosovo Government Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, stated for N1 TV station.

“Kosovo does not condition anyone. We have not submitted any new document to Brussels,” Tahiri said, adding that this is, as she said, ‘a manipulation of Belgrade.”

Tahiri said she talked about the document in front of Kosovo Assembly ‘because it has been a while since she briefed MPs on talks with Belgrade,” online version of KTV reported.

Delawie: Corruption cannot be fought with corrupt officials

(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)

The United States Ambassador in Kosovo, Greg Delawie, said that Kosovo Government should do more in fighting corruption. He said that any person involved in corruption affairs should get the merited punishment.

Speaking in the conference organised by Kosovo Law Institute, Delawie said that corruption cannot be fought with corrupt officials.

“Corruption is increasing the poverty,” Delawie said.

On the other hand, United Kingdom’s Ambassador in Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, said he regrets that corruption convictions in Kosovo are many in low and medium profiles, but they are rare in high profiles.

According to him, there are many deficiencies in the justice system. Ambassador O’Connell reminded that fighting of corruption is one of conditions for liberalisation of visas.

Lunacek: Difficult to say if visa liberalisation declaration can be sufficient

(TV21)

Rapporteur of the European Parliament for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, told TV21 that European Union wants results regarding demarcation and successful track record of convictions against organised crime and corruption in order for Kosovo citizens to move freely in Schengen Zone.

“I am aware of efforts to achieve a common declaration of Kosovo political parties, and of course this would be a very positive step that will show that all political parties in Kosovo are united to achieve the joint goal of visa liberalisation, which I and the European Union strongly support. Nevertheless, it is very difficult to say that this declaration can be sufficient in order to change one of the two criteria that have been set – ratification of Montenegro border demarcation; the other one is the successful track record of convictions on high level crime and corruption,” Lunacek stated.

On the other hand, experts of European integration believe that Kosovo has lost its chances for liberalisation of visas this year. They consider that Kosovo institutions have failed to meet the two visa liberalisation conditions set by European Commission.

Ramiz Kelmendi appointed as Deputy Prime Minister

(All monitored broadcasters, TV21)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, has decided to appoint Ramiz Kelmendi at the post of First Deputy Prime Minister in the Government of Kosovo.

On Thursday, Kelmendi will deliver the mandate of Member of the Assembly of Kosovo, a press release issued states.

During the day, Kelmendi officially adhered in Democratic League of Kosovo – LDK.

Interview with Albanian Prime Minister – Edi Rama

(Klan Kosova – Debate Zone show)

The Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke about his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic, discussions with him on Kosovo, and many other things in the Debate Zone show of Klan Kosova.

He came to Kosovo to respond to the criticism that was addressed against him regarding the visit to Belgrade, and why he spoke on Kosovo’s behalf. Albanian PM Edi Rama categorically denied the latter when talking to Klan Kosova’s Debate Zone show. Furthermore, he said that with his actions he did the right thing.

“I spoke about Kosovo, not on behalf of Kosovo, and I do not believe I have stated something that is not right. The best thing, as always, is that they do not deal with what was said, but he said it, why did he say it! I believe that I once again did was the right thing to do,” he said.

Rama also explained why he talked about Trepça in the debate with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic.

“At the evening prior to the meeting, I was looking at all Serbian media in English, the portals, because they have portals, too. It was Trepça, Trepça, Trepça all over the place. I believe I raised the issue by stating the right thing. I do not deal with the Law, I deal with the fact that Serbia disputes a sovereign decision of Kosovo,” Rama added.

The Albanian Prime Minister also explained the reasons behind frequent meetings with the Serbian Prime Minister.

“We do this because we have to interest to do it. It is above all our interest that imposes us to be maximally open, to be open to dialogue and of course categorical where our positions are categorical. We need to transform the region into a joint market in order to have development, economy and sustainable peace. Above all, to give to those who come after us, the next generations, the possibility to live in a better reality, be it here or there,” Rama continued.

While he had one final response for all this debate that he qualified fabricated.

“What will Serbia do? Serbia lost the war, do you understand or not, it lost the war!” he concluded the interview.