Next round of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue scheduled for 01 February
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
New round of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia will continue on 01 February.
This time it will be at the level of Prime Ministers. Isa Mustafa and Aleksandar Vucic are expected to discuss implementation of agreements which were earlier achieved in Brussels, the implementation of which has stalled.
Maja Kocijancic, Spokesperson of Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in an electronic response told KTV that progress on the EU path is linked for both, Serbia and Kosovo, with progress in the Dialogue.
“This meeting follows the one held on 24 January where both sides agreed to leave the tensions behind and to focus on the work ahead within the EU-facilitated Dialogue. The High Representative/Vice President is looking forward to the continuation of the discussions, on outstanding issues and on the state of play of implementation of past agreements as well as on the way forward in the Dialogue. Progress on the EU path is linked for both, Serbia and Kosovo, with progress in the Dialogue,” Kocijancic stated.
Although there are not many details, Kosovo Government’s Spokesperson, Arban Abrashi told Kohavision that this meeting will serve to avoid provocations and lower the tensions.
Agreement on energy and the one on justice system in the north are expected to be the two topics of this new round of talks.
Association to be discussed in new round of dialogue
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
Minister for Dialogue Edita Tahiri told RTK1 that Association of Serb Majority Municipalities will also be among the topics of new round of dialogue scheduled for 01 February.
According to her, it is important that the political level dialogue is continuing in Brussels and this demonstrates maximum engagement of the EU and High Representative Federica Mogherini to intensify dialogue results for good neighbourhood and peace between Kosovo and Serbia, and to overcome the recent tensions and series of provocations made by Serbia.
Minister Tahiri said that concluding phase of dialogue will also be discussed in the next meeting, for which she said that it will conclude with mutual recognition between the two states.
As far as removal of the wall from northern part of Ibër River Bridge is concerned, Minister Tahiri said that highest Kosovo institutions are intensively working for its removal and to secure free movement in line with the highest European standards and Kosovo laws.
Bahtiri: Wall will be demolished in February
(Klan Kosova)
Mitrovicë/Mitrovica South Mayor, Agim Bahtiri, said that the wall in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North is expected to be demolished in February.
Bahtiri said that he is discussing this issue with the European Union officials and Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North local authorities.
Bahtiri said this wall will be demolished with EU’s support and ‘without trouble’.
According to him, those that have constructed the wall should also demolish it. Bahtiri said he has requested from Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North Mayor, Goran Rakic, to do so because it is at their interest, but also at the general interest in order for the town to be set free once and for all.
Kastrati: Army might also be established without Srpska List’s support
(RTK1)
Former Commander of Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Kadri Kastrati, said that KSF has all operational capacities to be a new military force.
Furthermore, Kastrati said that Kosovo institutions can establish Kosovo Army even without the support of Srpska List.
“Government of Kosovo and the Assembly can do this in cooperation with international partners and without changing the Constitution. Let the name Security Force remain to it, but the current force should be given the military mission and tasks to come out of that mission, with new armament and equipment that it will need to move ahead and not to stay at one place as it is,” Kastrati said in a pronouncement for the Kosovo public broadcaster.
Commenting statements of the United States Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, for transformation of KSF into an Army, Kastrati said that US was the main supporter of KSF and Mattis’s statement has demonstrated the constant support of United States of America toward Kosovo.
“Since the KSF establishment US was our strategic partner and supporter in every aspect, starting from the equipment it has given to Kosovo Security Force in order for it to develop and to be able to perform its tasks,” Kastrati said.
Limaj: Serbia is present and organised in Kosovo north
(KTV)
Leader of Nisma për Kosovën, Fatmir Limaj, said that not even during the time of [Aleksandar] Rankovic it was not harder for a person who wants to serve his country in Kosovo.
“One should be a cheater in order to move ahead faster, but if you serve your country, they either send you in jail, in Shtime/Stimlje [Mental Institution], or they kill you,” Limaj said at the Convention of Nisma për Kosovën branch in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica.
As far as the north is concerned, Limaj said that Serbia, as never before, is organised in this part of Kosovo.
“The north is neither administered nor governed. As never before, Serbia is present and organised there. People are fleeing the north and what is Prishtinë/Pristina doing? It remains silent! The wall is erected in front of their eyes here; they say that they will demolish it in case it will be built. They say that Mitrovicë/Mitrovica citizens should demolish it,” Limaj said.
