ITU allocates international dial code to Kosovo
(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
As of Thursday, Kosovo has its own international dial code. Kosovo Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri stated that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has allocated to Kosovo the +383 international dial code. She considered this as an historic achievement after long negotiations with Serbia in Brussels.
“Dial code strengthens the international subjectivity of Kosovo’s statehood. With the dial code Kosovo obtained its state identity in the Telecom sector and won international recognition in this sector,” Minister Tahiri stated, during a press conference in Prishtinë/Pristina.
Minister Tahiri said that with the new dial code Kosovo will profit millions of Euros. According to her all other dial codes will be eliminated while only +383 dial code will be used.
“All other dial codes will be eliminated. There will be no more 381, 377 and 386 dial codes. Kosovo citizens will finally identify themselves with the dial code of their own state and not with the dial codes of other countries as it sued to be in the past,” said Tahiri.
While, Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi said that the dial code will strengthen the statehood of Kosovo. According to him, this achievement is an important step towards Kosovo’s membership in other international organisations.
On the other hand Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa said that besides the financial benefits, the allocation of the dial code marks an important step in completion of Kosovo’s statehood.
Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns Djuric’s visit to the north
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric continues to ignore Kosovo institutions, KTV reported. Despite the fact that Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) rejected his request to visit Kosovo, Djuric ignored the decision and visited the north of Kosovo on Thursday. He attended the opening ceremony of the gas station ‘Nis Petrol’ which has been established by a Serbian company.
Asked if he was banned from entering to Kosovo, Djuric ironized saying that he used alternative routes same as Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa did few days ago.
Serbian media reported that after 17 years, Serbian petrol industry re-launched its activity in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north and other gas stations will be opened in the municipalities of Zvecan/Zveçan and Zubin Potok.
Kosovo Police did not provide any clarifications why Djuric’s visit was allowed taking into account the entry-ban imposed by Kosovo MFA.
On the other hand, MFA considered Djuric’s behaviour as unacceptable, as, according to them, he has openly provoked Kosovo institutions and security institutions in the north.
“Illegal entrance in Kosovo is against the agreement on reciprocal visits reached in Brussels between Kosovo and Serbia. Visits should be approved or rejected by institutions of both countries 24 hours before the visit takes place. This behaviour is against the dialogue spirit and the regional cooperation,” reads MFA’s press release issued on Wednesday.
MFA also stated that it has sent a note of protest to the EU and to all international institutions about the unacceptable behaviour of Djuric.
“The act of disguising in an emergency vehicle to enter Kosovo demonstrates the desperate approach Djuric has decided to pursue in his political carrier,” concludes MFA’s press release.
The online version of KTV reported that the Kosovo Police Deputy Commander in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north, Maj. Goran Zivkovic and Operational Chief, Captain Milija Milosevic have been suspended for 48-hours.
According to the sources, the reason of their suspension was Djuric’s illegal visit to Kosovo.
Mustafa: No Association without dissolution of parallel structures
(RTK1)
Kosovo Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, said in an interview for RTK’s show “New Bugajski Hour” that the current Government should complete its mandate.
“Despite the challenges with the demarcation, the ruling coalition has been cautious and made important decisions such as the establishment of the Specialist Chambers. We will conclude the mandate in June 2018,” said PM Mustafa, the online version of RTK reported.
He emphasized the importance of ratification of demarcation with Montenegro. He said that this issue will be discussed with Srpska List, as soon as they return in the Assembly and Government. He said that opposition parties have built a political cause with demarcation claiming that Kosovo has lost territory. “We have preserved Kosovo’s borders and we do not have anything that backs the claim of the opposition,” said Mustafa.
Among other issues, PM Mustafa also discussed about the establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities. He said that the Statute of the Association should be in compliance with Kosovo’s Constitution and Laws.
“This issue has been discussed in Brussels and what has remained is establishment or formulation of the Association. We cannot launch this process, until Serbs do not return in the Assembly and Government. The Managing Team has been established and we have the involvement of the Ministry of Local Government Administration. But we must clearly state, that before the Statute enters into force it will be submitted to the Constitutional Court to check if it is in compliance with Kosovo laws,” said PM Mustafa.
He stressed that the Association will have no executive competencies and will not be a third level government. Mustafa said that Association will not be established before the dissolution of parallel structures in north.
Two former ministers sentenced for abuse of official positions
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The Basic Court in Prishtinë/Pristina sentenced two former Ministers of Culture for abuse of official position or authority. In the case of defendants Astrit Haraqija and Valton Beqiri the panel decided to render a suspended one-year sentence whereby they will serve out their sentence if they breach the terms of their probation, KTv reported.
In addition, the court sentenced the actor Armond Morina and the producer Nehat Fejza. The Court requested from Morina to return to the Ministry of Culture EUR 100.000 thousand Euro, while Fejza has to return EUR 188.000.
Azem Syla pleads not guilty
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
All defendants in the ‘Land’ case, including former PDK MP Azem Syla, pleaded not guilty on organized crime charges.
The trial session continued without the presence of two defendants, Halil Mustafa and Hajrullah Berisha. The Prosecution has requested to issue international arrest warrants for both of them.
The Special Prosecution of Kosovo (SPRK) accuses former MP and former commander of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), Azem Syla, and 38 other people of illegally appropriating socially- owned property and money laundering
52 additional observers will observe the election process in Gllogovc/Glogovac
(RTK1)
Central Election Commission (CEC) decided to accredit additional and new observers in the second round of elections in Gllogovc/Glogovac municipality scheduled on 18 December. CEC increased the number of observers with additional 52 observers, RTK1 reported.
CEC Secretariat CEO Enis Halimi said that the entire election material is being prepared according to the foreseen dynamic.
Apostolova urges Kosovo to avoid politicization of issues
(Summary of KTV – Rubicon show)
European Commission Report on Kosovo reflects many missing sectors and reform.
The Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Natalya Apostolova, said in an interview with KTV Rubicon show on Thursday evening, that there are many sectors for which Kosovo is commended for the progress achieved. She emphasized that the rule of law remains the most important sector for the EU.
“For us, the main area that we are interested to see essential progress, and Kosovo has made already the first steps on it, is the rule of law. This is essential for the development of the country, not only for the stability and credibility of Kosovo but also for the economic development,” she said, pointing out that the judiciary in Kosovo should be more operational.
Among other issues, Apostolova said that the public administration reform remains an issue of concern, but which, according to her, has been put on the right track.
“Indirectly, lots of public administration officials are appointed on political grounds as favour to a group of voters,” said Apostolova, stressing that this and nepotism will not be tolerated by the EU.
Lack of transparency by political entities was another issue pointed out by the Head of EU Office in Kosovo, Natalya Apostolova.
“What we are missing are the publications of financial reports of political parties on their webpages. This is something that each party can do immediately. Only one party has done it (Vetëvendosje),” said Apostolova.
“It must be very clearly explained that the credibility of a political party and being responsible to those who have voted for you makes you accountable and the publishing of financial reports and transparency in financial deals is going to make you stronger. I have conveyed this message to the Assembly on several occasions,” she said.
Moreover, Apostolova said that fighting corruption is a continuous process and there should be more court verdict on corruption cases, more corrupt persons sent to prison and trials with speedy procedures. According to Apostolova, this would be the key that demonstrates that corruption is seriously being fought.
She emphasized that EU member states should be convinced that Kosovo is on the right track on the fight against corruption.
“What we would like to see more in the fight against corruption is more speedy processes, real verdicts issued by the courts and people who are sent in jail. Not small cases but really cases which are emblematic and important and give the credibility to Kosovo people that there is justice, that they are going to be remedied and they are going to be compensated for people who have stolen from their own assets,” she said.
However, she stressed that EULEX Mission in Kosovo has done its job but, as she said, the Mission cannot do much by itself. She said that EULEX should not be blamed for the failure of some court cases. “EULEX did its job. I reiterate, Internationals should not be blamed for trying to offer a transparent process and trying to speed it up,” she said.
Demarcation with Montenegro was another issue that was discussed during the interview. According to Apostolova demarcation should have been only a technical issues and it should not have been politicized as it happened.
“This issue was considered a technical issue. This issue could have most probably found an easier solution if and very much unfortunately, some sides have not put as part of political agenda. So, my message would be: On the way on this enlargement path try to avoid politicization of issues which might be solved in an easier way. On the way to Europe you are going to have much bigger challenges. You have to revise your whole legislation, you have to transpose extremely non-popular reforms, because these are the rules of the game into the European Union, this is our acquis communautaire. So don’t lose the time in making let say minor or technical issues hampering the path of Kosovo to the EU”, she concluded.
She emphasized that border demarcation and fight against corruption should happen before visa liberalisation.
Moreover, Apostolova criticized the Government of Kosovo about the lack of European Integration Minister. According to her the delays in appointing the new minister are not in line with Government’s pledge to the European processes. She demanded from the Government to appoint the new minister at the earliest time possible.
As it regards the wall in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north, the Head of the EU Office considered that the wall prevents the freedom of movement. She reiterated that there will be no wall.
Commenting the death of Vetëvendosje acitivist, Astrit Dehari in the Detention Centre in Prizren, Apostolova said that no political figure should interfere on this case until investigations are concluded. She emphasized that statements of political figures during the investigation process might be dangerous.
