MLGA and OSCE call for future local governments to be more transparent
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
Lessons learnt for future local governments: experiences from mayors, elected representatives, civil society, and business community. This was the topic of discussion in the workshop organised by Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA) in cooperation with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, where it was called for future local governments to be more transparent.
New municipal governments have not been informed about issues and challenges faced by previous governments; therefore, experience exchange in resolving the issues is needed. This was stated in the workshop held on the topic “Lessons learnt for future local governments.”
Rozafa Ukimeraj of MLGA said: “Although there will be the same candidacies put by mayors, chairs and other stakeholders at central or local level, through today’s dialogue, from the perspective of institutions, civil society, media, businesses, and donors, we aim to contribute for an efficient system which works under all circumstances, regardless changes that might happen in terms of political and institutional representation.”
Christopher Tuetsch, representative of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, said that good government allows combatting poverty and reducing unemployment in Kosovo.
“Generally speaking, Kosovo has made progress in advancing the quality of government; nevertheless, there are still such challenges. Citizens’ trust in institutions plays an important role, since a low level of trust is likely to hinder the engagement of people in seeking quality. The OSCE Mission recognises that good government is important for a sustainable democracy,” Tuetsch said.
On the other hand, the mayor of Junik Agron Kuçi said that insufficient budget continues to be a challenge for good governance in municipalities.
“The municipality of Junik was founded like some municipalities of the minority community in Kosovo as part of the decentralisation process in 2005. From the very beginning, we faced lack of infrastructure which did not exist at all in any segment; there was no administrative infrastructure available, let alone any municipal infrastructure. In addition, insufficient budget continues to be a challenge, because Junik is a small municipality, and own source revenues have been low,” Kuci said.
OSCE supports multi-ethnic basketball camp
(RTK2)
Supported by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, the second multi-ethnic basketball camp has been launched in Germia, Prishtinë/Pristina. Under supervision of professional basketball coaches, 30 boys and girls attend the camp.
The second shift of the camp, which will last until 10th July, will be attended by 30 boys and girls from Strpc/Shtërpcë, Prishtinë/Pristina, Prizren, and Gjakovë/Djakovica. Some of them had experience in similar camps, while others are attending it for the first time.
“This is the second year for us from Strpc/Shtërpcë to be here. We all have good impressions here. Socialising, getting to know each other, so this is more than sport,” one of the camp attendees said.
“I think that what politicians failed to do, always has been possible through sport and arts. That is the first approximating bridge. In addition, the organiser is of great importance. Most of the people working here have no such barriers, and in fact they try to overcome those barriers,” another participant highlighted.
The main goal of such camps first of all is making friendships through sport and entertainment, as well as expanding the idea of multi-ethnic society and coexistence in this area. On the first shift of the camp, coaches of Serb basketball teams took part, as well.
“Nice friends, nice memories, resources are superb. I hope to learn something new about basketball and meet new friends,” another attendee stated.
“I come from Prishtinë/Pristina. This camp is excellent, not only because of basketball, but also because we meet friends of different communities,” an Albanian-speaking attendee said.
The second multi-ethnic basketball camp Germia 2017 has been financially supported by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, USAID Office, and the city of Prishtinë/Pristina.
Thaçi: PAN confirmed that government will be constituted without delays
(RTK1, KTV)
The Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi said that he received confirmation from the election winning PDK-AAK-Nisma (PAN) coalition and their candidate for Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj that the new Government of Kosovo will be constituted without delays.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe, Thaçi said that the mandate issue is not a matter of preference but rather a matter of respecting the citizens’ legitimacy.”
“Kosovo has got the winning coalition that emerged from June 11 elections.” I will respect the Constitution, laws, and decisions of the Constitutional Court of 2014. I also have received confirmation from the winning coalition’s prime minister CANDIDATE that they have got sufficient votes of MPs to constitute new government,” Thaçi said.
Thaçi says he is waiting for election results certification, and then he will sit with the political spectrum, so that together they can schedule the date of constituting new Assembly and government.
In regard to the possibility of PAN’s CANDIDATE Haradinaj to fail and then Thaçi to give mandate to VV’s CANDIDATE Kurti, Thaçi believes that no second mandate will be necessary, and that government will be constituted already in the first effort.
No movement towards FORMING new institutions
(RTK1)
Almost one month has passed since the election process, but at least formally, no movement has been made towards constituting new institutions.
Ramush Haradinaj and PAN coalition, except their statements that they have got sufficient votes, have not proved by any means how they have got the 61 necessary votes.
If they rely on AKR votes, Korab Sejdiu of AKR stated that they will not support PAN.
LDK officials, on the other hand, have ruled out any possibility of entering a coalition with PDK, but that does not apply to AAK and Nisma.
