Seselj warns of potential irregularities in the presidential elections in Kosovo

(Klan Kosova)

The candidate for the President of Serbia from the Serbian Radical Party, Vojislav Seselj, said that irregularities might happen during the presidential elections in Kosovo’s territory because, as he said, the rules of the OSCE allow this to happen, the online version of Klan Kosova reported.

“After the elections, the OSCE takes the balloting material and transports it to Vranja and Raska and the votes are counted only after 12 hours. You can imagine it yourselves what might happen illegally with the balloting material for 12 hours,” Seselj said.

However, the decision whether Serbian elections will be held in Kosovo has not been taken yet.

Srpska List returns to Assembly to oppose establishment of Army

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

Srpska List ended its month’s long boycott to Kosovo institutions.  From premises of Kosovo Assembly building, Srpska List Caucus leader, Slavko Simic explained that their return to institutions was done in accordance with the Government of Serbia.

He said that they returned to work for the interests of Kosovo Serbs, in particular for the establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities.

Simic said that they will strongly oppose the establishment of the Army because, as he said, it is in contradiction with the United Nation Security Council Resolution 1244.

“We do not support the draft law on Army because it is in contradiction with Resolution 1244. We do not want to be involved in processes which contradict Resolution 1244. I don’t believe that it is necessary to enter into arrangements for the transformation of Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an Army without the support of the international community, without constitutional amendments and without the support of minorities,” said Simic.

Simic also talked about demarcation, saying that PDK and LDK should reach a consensus on this issue.

“Concerning ratification of Agreement on Demarcation with Montenegro, we have been involved in this process and we will discuss this issue internally and with the ruling coalition partners. However, it seems that there is no consensus between PDK and LDK. Hence, we will review their official stance and decide on this matter,” said Simic.

On the other hand, Glauk Konjufca of Vetëvendosje Movement (VV) said that it is bad news for Kosovo if the return of Serbs happened as compromise for the Association. In relation to the establishment of the Army, Konjufca said that President Thaçi’s statements on this issue are declining. He requested early elections because, according to him, cracks within the ruling coalition have become public.

However, Deputy Assembly Speaker, Xhavit Haliti said that he is not aware if there are open issues between the ruling coalition partners and he emphasized that he does not know if Kosovo will have early elections. He said that coalition leaders decide about potential early elections. Haliti also announced that Assembly will have two plenary sessions during this week, namely in Thursday and Friday.

Apstolova welcomes Srpska List’s decision to return in institutions

(RTK1)

Government of Kosovo commended the return of Srpska List representatives in institutions.  Spokesperson of the Government, Faton Abdullahu told Radio Free Europe that the return of Srpska List representatives in Kosovo’s central institutions is a merit of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.

In an interview for RTK Info3, the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo and the EU Special Representative, Nataliya Apostolova, said that Kosovo is in the right euro-integration path. She requested improvement of the political situation in order to have a sustainable economic development. Apostolova also welcomed the return of Srpska List in Kosovo institutions.

“I am happy to hear that Srpska List decided to return in the Assembly. I have congratulated Srpska List representatives today in the Assembly.  It is an encouraging step because each political entity, be it from the ruling coalition or opposition, should take its own responsibility,” said Apostolova.

Djuric respects Srpska List’s decision to return in institutions

(KTV)

Director of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric, said that he respects the decision of the Srpska List to return to the Kosovo institutions. He said that Srpska List returned in institutions to hinder the establishment of Kosovo Armed Forces.

“Prishtinë/Pristina planned to revoke the mandates of Serb MPs if they would boycott the work of the Assembly for more than six months,” Djuric stated.

Government conditions Vucic’s visit in Kosovo

(KTV)

Candidate for President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic is expected to visit Kosovo during the next coming days, KTV reported.  Vucic has already submitted his request to Government of Kosovo requesting permission to visit in Kosovo.

KTV sources said that Government has decided to condition Vucic’s visit to Kosovo. Government requested from Vucic not to include in his delegation the Minister of Internal Affairs, Nebojsa Stefanovic and the Minister of Defense Zoran Djordjevic, who have already been banned from entering Kosovo.

Aleksandar Vucic has requested permission to visit Leposavic/Leposavic municipality on 29 March, but Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not responded to Vucic’s request yet, KTV reported.

On the other hand, Vucic said that he did not receive any official announcement about conditions to his planned visit to Kosovo, the online version of KTV reported. Asked if his visit to Leposavic/Leposaviq, planned for 29 March has been conditions, Vucic said that he has not been informed about it.

Army will not be submitted in a package with Association and demarcation

(RTK)

Statements that the draft law for amending the mission and competencies of Kosovo Security Force (KSF) will be submitted to the Assembly of Kosovo as a ‘package’ with the ratification of Demarcation with Montenegro and Association of Serb Majority Municipalities have been firmly ruled out by  Kosovo Government officials, the online version of RTK reported.

Kosovo Deputy Minister of Local Government Administration (MLGA), Bajram Gecaj told Radio Kosova that this kind of approach has never been discussed in the Government.

“So far Government has not linked these issues and actually it does not see any link at all between them. I cannot tell what can happen in the future but I can say that these issues have never been linked to each other,” said Gecaj.

Vetëvendosje MP Glauk Konjufca has opposed the potential voting of these three issues in a package. He said that these issues are separated and according to the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, MPs cannot vote all these issues at once.

AAK Teuta Haxhiu said that if Government submits these three issues as a package, they will do everything possible to oppose it.

Demarcation with Montenegro and Association has divided ruling and opposition parties but the establishment of Kosovo Armed Forces on the other hand has unified all political entities.

MPs visit Kosovo Police station in Zubin Potok

(Most monitored broadcasters, Klan Kosova)

Assembly Committee on Internal Affairs, Security and Supervision of the Kosovo Security Force, headed by deputy chairwomen, Ganimete Musliu carried out an official visit to Kosovo Police station in Zubin Potok. MPs were received by the Station Commander, Lieutenant Zevzdan Milojevic and his colleagues.

The aim of the visit was to get more information about the working conditions, challenges policemen face in exercising their police duty and implementation of the Law on Kosovo Police.  Station Commander Milojevic emphasized the need to improve working conditions and upgrade technology and working equipment.

This is the first visit of senior state representatives to this Police station.  On the other hand, members of this committee stressed that they will address the requests to the competent authorities.

KSF most credible security institution in Kosovo

(TV21)

Kosovo Security Force (KSF) for the fifth time has been listed as the most credible intuitions in Kosovo. On Monday, Kosovar Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED) presented its public opinion poll findings according to which KSF is the most credible security institution in Kosovo. Moreover, KSF Minister Haki Demolli has been listed as the most credible leader of security institutions.

According to these findings, Albanian residents from Kosovo north have the highest trust in KSF, TV21 reported.