Belgrade issues ultimatum to Srpska List and Kosovo Government
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Monday’s meeting of Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic with Srpska List representatives was concluded with ultimatums. The meeting was called after recent divisions happened within this political entity.
In this meeting, which was attended by Serb Ministers of Kosovo Government, Srpska List was requested to withdraw all the decisions which Serbia considers as harmful and against its interests by 31 December.
Serbia also requested the return of former –Minister Ljubomir Maric to the position of the Minister of Local Government Administration and the withdrawal from this position of the new minister Mirjana Jevtic.
“I called upon Kosovo Serbs to unite and to respect the decisions which we jointly issued because in the past we acted with wisdom and we refused to achieve goals by violence but we were cautious in relation to the interests of Serbs in Kosovo and Serbia because divisions are negative. I called upon them to bring decisions based on what we have agreed and not bring decisions made by certain people which are not done for Serbia’s interests,” said PM Vucic.
“Those who have, on their own and without the Serbian government, made political decisions about the dismissal of Ljubomir Maric must withdraw their harmful decisions by December 31 to preserve the Serbs’ unity, and if they want to participate in what is a unified policy of Serbs and Serbia in Kosovo,” said the Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric.
From this meeting the Serbian Government came out with an ultimatum, too. If within few weeks there are no concrete steps for the establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities, then, according to Djuric, Serbs will establish the Association by themselves.
“We will not beg anyone for what we have already agreed. If in the coming weeks we don’t see any concrete steps for the establishment of the Association, Serb representatives in cooperation with their state shall establish the Association by themselves and will design its functions,” said Djuric.
Despite the recent ban to the visit of Serbian officials to Kosovo, Serbian PM Aleksandar Vucic has announced that he will join Serbs in Kosovo to celebrate the Orthodox Christmas.
Following Belgrade’s ultimatum, AAK Caucus Leader, Pal Lekaj reacted in his personal Facebook post, criticizing the non-reaction of Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa to this ultimatum. PM Mustafa reacted to Lekaj, saying that both Djuric and Lekaj use a language that equals to the language of thugs.
Mustafa: If Maric would be Albanian, he would have been dismissed longtime ago
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Former Kosovo Local Government Administration Minister Ljubomir Maric addressed a series of critics to Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.
Commenting PM Mustafa’s statement that he is not pleased with the performance and the political statements of Maric, the latter said that that he is politically more mature compared to PM Mustafa.
But PM Mustafa immediately reacted to Maric’s statement.
“I am publicly stating today that if he (Maric) would be an Albanian Minister he would have been dismissed long time ago. But as we are in a situation where we have the will and we are more generous as it concerns the space for integration of Serb community and considering the current circumstances, I have tried to discuss with him many times and insisting that he must respect the law and the Constitution,” said PM Mustafa.
Delawie commends return of Srpska List to institutions
(RTK1)
US Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie said that the wall constructed in Ibër Bridge in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north is illegal.
In an interview for RTK2, Delawie said that the wall does not serve to anything positive. According to him the future of Mitrovicë/Mitrovica south and north is implementation of Kosovo laws and cooperation between the two communities.
Ambassador Delawie commended the return of Srpska List in institutions, saying that this is the only way to address the concerns of the Serb community.
With regard to visa liberalization, Delawie emphasized that demarcation is keeping hostage this process, while he praised Kosovo Government and justice institutions for their commitment and fight against corruption.
Moreover, Delawie considered the Brussels as dialogue as successful. Among other topics discussed, Delawie said that Kosovo Armed Forces will be a factor of peace in the region.
Abudllahu: Srpska List returned without any conditions
(KTV)
Officials of Kosovo Government consider that the return of some Srpska List MPs to the Assembly of Kosovo is in function of stabilizing Kosovo institutions but also in the interest of Serb community, the online version of KTV reported.
However, according to the, Kosovo Government does not have any agreement or conditions with Srpska List for their return in the institutions.
Kosovo Government spokesperson, Faton Abdullahu, told Radio Free Europe, that communication with Srpska List, as a ruling coalition partner, was never terminated and it was continuous about different issues.
According to him, there are speculations that Srpska List return in institutions was conditioned, but, according to him this is not true at all.
“No, it is not true. Srpska List considered that it is better to be part of Mustafa’s Government, because by boycotting the institutions they can do no good to anyone, even les for the Serb community in Kosovo,” said Abdullahu.
Serb MPs blame PM Mustafa for the non-transformation of KSF into an Army
(KTV)
Serb MPs blamed Isa Mustafa and his Government for the failure to establish Kosovo Armed Forces (KAF). Despite the fact that Government stated in many occasions that they are trying to persuade Serbs to vote for the transformation of Kosovo Security Force (KSF) to KAF, Serb MPs claimed that there was no interest or initiative byMustafa on this issue, KTV reported.
Former Srpska List MP, Nenad Rasic, said that as it concerns this topic, they were never invited to discuss this issue.
While, another Serb MP, Slobodan Petrovic said that the moment is not appropriate to discuss KSF, as, according to him, this issue is not a priority of Serbs.
However, Kosovo Government, on the other hand, claims that KSF Minister Haki Demolli for a year is discussing with Serb community and trying to convince them that the evolution of KSF into KAF must happen and that it is in the interest of Serb community.
Kosovo Government spokesperson, Arban Abrashi, said that there are positive developments on this issue and, according to him, transformation of KSF might happen in the first half of 2017.
However, opposition parties do not trust this pledge. Vetëvendosje MP Rexhep Selimi and AAK MP Rrustem Berisha said that if the Government continues with the same speed as in 2016, KSF, according to them, will not be transformed into an Army for many more years.
KLI: KPC and KJC lack accountability and efficiency
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) and Prosecutorial Council (KPC) instead of holding Courts and Prosecutions accountable for violations of the law, these Councils are violating the law by themselves.
Kosovo Law Institute (KLI) monitored the work of these both Councils and noted that in many occasions these Councils have issued decisions in contradiction with the law, KTV reported.
Ehat Miftaraj of KLI said that these both Councils continue to face with lack of efficiency, accountability and lack of integrity in exercising their constitutional and legal responsibilities. According to him, these acts are damaging and will continue to damage at a large extent the justice system.
He said that that during monitoring of the meetings of these Councils for six months, certain Council members have never talked or raised any issue.
Miftaraj also noted violations in cases related to corruption, as, according to him, the treatment for senior officials was different in comparison to ordinary citizens.
KLI has also issued recommendations to both Councils which shall help improve their performance.
