OSCE speaks about its presence in Gllogovc/Glogovac elections

(Tribuna Channel)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo believes their presence in Gllogovc/Glogovac electoral process would be beneficial with the aim of strengthening the integrity of this process.

Spokesperson of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Senad Sabovic, said for Tribuna Channel that the OSCE can engage in this electoral process only upon authorization of the Central Elections Commission (CEC).

“We believe that the presence of OSCE would indeed be beneficial as it would strengthen the integrity of the process. Kosovo has the full capacity to conduct free and fair elections and the presence of monitors can only be added value. For these reasons, the OSCE has asked the CEC for authorization to conduct a monitoring operation. The CEC is the sole election authority of Kosovo and we can engage only upon its authorization,” Sabovic stated.

In the meantime, CEC has decided to extend the deadline for application for accreditation of international observers. These observers will take part in the extraordinary elections for the Mayor of Gllogovc/Glogovac Municipality which will be held on 04 December in line with legal provisions on the role of election observers.

“Regarding the specific request, CEC, backing itself on the laws in force, announces that it had no obstacles to successfully implement this process to its end, no matter that it was extraordinary one,” a CEC press statement reads.

The Great Britain’s Ambassador, Ruairi O’Connell, requested from the CEC Chairperson, Valdete Daka, to allow OSCE and its staff to have proper access to polling centres and stations in the election day, in order to ensure a professional assessment on development of the process.

The OSCE would need full access to monitor the conduct of the vote, beyond that access granted to the general public, the Mission will need to take a form of formal agreement by the CEC to allow this, the letter of Quint Ambassadors addressed to CEC states.

CEC extends deadline for registration of international observers

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

The Central Election Commission announced that they have received a request from British Ambassador to Kosovo Ruairi O’Connell, sent on behalf of the representatives of four friendly countries, about monitoring of elections in Gllogovc/Glogovac.

CEC has decided to extend the deadline for application for accreditation of international observers for the extraordinary mayoral elections in Gllogovc/Glogovac until Saturday. Whereas, regarding the specific request, CEC, backing itself on the laws in force, announces that it had no obstacles to successfully implement this process to its end, no matter that it was extraordinary one.

Elections in Gllogovc/Glogovac, Pacolli disappointed with CEC’s response

(RTK)

Behgjet Pacolli, leader of Alliance for New Kosovo (AKR), expressed his disappointment regarding the decision of Central Elections Commission (CEC), according to which, the OSCE will not have access to elections in Gllogovc/Glogovac.

Online version of RTK brought Pacolli’s full post regarding this matter:

“The request of British Ambassador in Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, for strict monitoring of electoral process in Gllogovc/Glogovac was very encouraging. In fact, the British Ambassador addressed this request on behalf of big friends of Kosovo which make the Quint – the United States of America, Germany, France and Italy.

This request was appropriate and necessary for many reasons, in order for the citizen’s vote not to be abused and suffering of the people to stop.

The CEC’s response, which does not give access to the OSCE, was disappointing. Unfortunately, the bitter past might be repeated in Gllogovc/Glogovac, where, because of vote abuse, over 260 citizens were sentenced to imprisonment, but the goal of theft rather was achieved.

CEC, which today is composed by parties in power the most, should know that it is these parties that are campaigning with citizens’ money.

Gllogovc/Glogovac has been covered today with jeeps of Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Assembly Speaker and MPs, by abusing the work time of teachers of students, which is unseen in civilised countries.

Once again, I express my great gratitude to our Western allies, and ask them to be present with their observers in election day in Gllogovc/Glogovac,” Pacolli concluded his post.

Kosovo and Serbia see Agreement on Justice as their triumph

(KTV)

It was the first agreement after the recommencement of dialogue and the first one to be signed by Isa Mustafa as Prime Minister, in framework of Prishtinë/Pristina-Belgrade dialogue.

Almost two years after its achievement, the Agreement on Justice is likely to enter into force on 10 January 2017 and for put parallel justice institutions in the north under the control of Kosovo institutions.

For this matter, EU has given an 8-day timeframe to both sides to fulfil the remaining obligations, in order for the integration to be fully effective on 10 January, 2017.

The so-called Director of Serbian Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric, said that with this Agreement they have managed to also execute the judgements made even after 1999.

“Following months of diplomatic efforts, our delegation managed to ensure with this agreement the recognition and execution of judgements and decisions made by the courts of the Republic of Serbia in Kosovo and Metohija after 1999, securing adequate legal protection for Serb natural and legal entities in the province,” Djuric stated.

In relation to these statements, KTV tried to take a response from Kosovo Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, who is continuing her visit to Brussels. After her staff members were informed with the request, she left a time to discuss this issue over the phone, but did not respond later.

Dacic: Prishtinë/Pristina is displaying nervousness

(RTK2)

Agreement on Justice which was achieved in Brussels is important for the overall assessment of progress, and it will certainly contribute to opening of chapters, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said. Nevertheless, he added that establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities still remains the key issue.

Dacis considers that Prishtinë/Pristina is displaying nervousness because it is less and less successful on the international scene. He repeated the statement of European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, who said she was sorry that five EU countries have not recognised Kosovo.

According to Dacic, this demonstrates the pressure that is being put not only on Serbia, but also on EU member countries to recognise Kosovo.

Molliqaj: Support for Vetëvendosje is growing

(Klan Kosova)

Vetëvendosje Movement Organisational Secretary, Dardan Molliqaj, stated that the Movement he belongs to is growing in numbers of its supporters.

Talking to Klan Kosova Debate Zone show, Molliqaj said he does not have exact figures of growth in votes, but he is feeling this great support each time he is visiting the field.

Molliqaj said that Vetëvendosje Movement has worked a lot, and it can also use the failure of parties in power to achieve as better results as possible in elections.

Host State Agreement for Kosovo Specialist Chambers to come into force in January

(KTV Interactive)

The Kingdom of Netherland’s has done the ratification of the Host State Agreement (HSA) for the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. This is written in official website of the Special Court.

This agreement is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2017.

“The Kosovo Specialist Chambers welcome the Kingdom of Netherland’s ratification of the Host State Agreement (HSA) between the Netherlands and Kosovo. This is the agreement which provides legal basis for the Kosovo Specialist Chambers to conduct proceedings in the Netherlands and is to enter into force on 1 January 2017. Until its entry into force, the Specialist Chambers continue to function under the provisions of the Interim Host State Agreement, which allows for implementation of the mandate of the Registry and preparatory work in relation to judicial proceedings,” reads the Special Court’s announcement.

Twenty-five new prosecutors swore in

(KTV)

Twenty-five new prosecutors swore in front of Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi after their proposal by the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council. Following the oath taking ceremony, the prosecutors, who will have an initial mandate of three years, President Thaçi offered his support to them. He urged them to be determined in the fight against organised crime and corruption.

“This fight will strengthen the country within, it will increase security and restore citizens’ trust in justice system,” President Thaçi said among other things.

On the other hand, Chief State Prosecutor Aleksandër Lumezi thanked President Thaçi for his support and urged prosecutors to engage maximally within the three coming years, which will also be the probationary period for them.