Coalition is stable and functional, Government says
(RTK1)
The coalition is stable. This is the conclusion of the Government, following the meeting of PDK-AAK-Nisma (PAN) leaders.
According to a press release, the Dialogue platform will reflect unified position of the country’s institutions to reach a comprehensive, legally binding agreement, which should result with mutual recognitions and with Kosovo’s membership in the UN.
The press release says that the coalition partners have agreed to intensify their actions and activities in adjusting the decision-making process on current issues in the coming days.
“In today’s (Wednesday) meeting, leaders of the Government coalition parties discussed recent political development in the country, functioning of the institutions, fulfilment of the government and legislative agenda especially focussing on approval of the 2019 Budget, package of accompanying laws, the Dialogue platform, and the tariff issue.
Most of the discussion at the meeting was focussed on key aspects related to the Dialogue platform, which is expected to be approved in the Kosovo Assembly soon.
In addition, the coalition leaders expressed their commitment to intensifying their steps and coordinating their decisions with the strategic partners of Kosovo, namely the US and the EU.
It is a common conclusion that the coalition is functional and stable. We remain committed to achieving the goals, in line with objectives of the Government’s platform objectives,” the Government wrote.
In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo and chairman of the Social Democratic Initiative, Fatmir Limaj, spoke after the recent political developments in the country.
Limaj posted on the Initiative’s Facebook account, saying that Kosovo was able to find the language of compromise and unity for the major interest of the country even at its most difficult times.
Deputy Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly and member of the PDK chairmanship Xhavit Haliti said that the governing coalition remains stable, and he insists that a compromise solution within the coalition needs to be found, in order to suspend the tariff.
In an interview with TV Dukagjini, Haliti stated that with the imposed tariff, some Serbian and some Kosovo companies might have suffered losses, but he believes that some businesses have become rich by this embargo. “I do not know what has Kosovo benefitted from the famous tariff they have imposed on Serbia,” he said.
Haliti said that all those ideas that question relations with the US must be opposed. He said that a possible action of any person who would affect breaking of relations with the US is national treason, saying that Prosecution should interfere in such cases.
Haradinaj and Kossnet to discuss tariff on Thursday
(KTV)
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj is expected to have yet another meeting with the US Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett.
A source within the governing coalition told Koha.net portal that this meeting could be decisive either for the tax or for the Government.
Speaking under condition of anonymity, this source said that this issue will ultimately be decided within this week.
“Prime Minister Haradinaj will speak tomorrow (Thursday) with Ambassador Kosnett. They will have a meeting. This week it will be decided whether the tariff will be rescinded, or the Government will fall,” the source said.
The portal was unable to confirm the news on the possible meeting with Ambassador Kosnett from the Office of the Prime Minister.
Gjini: PM Haradinaj remains determined for tariff
(KTV)
In an interview with KTV’s Rubicon show, the AAK vice chairman Ardian Gjini spoke after the telephone conversation that Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj had with the US Advisor for National Security John Bolton, on Wednesday.
Gjini said that he was not physically present, but according to him, tariff suspension was mentioned to Prime Minister Haradinaj in this conversation.
“As far as I know, it was mentioned that it would be good to suspend the tariff, and I do not know what the rest of the discussion was about. To my knowledge, the discussion was very fair, the US has treated us extremely well compared with the size of our country,” Gjini said.
“This topic will be discussed, but I think that the whole world needs to understand that Kosovo should get what it deserves. I reiterate that there has been insecurity here for a long time. Everything happens within a year and we cannot get stabilised, as new issues emerge,” he added.
Gjini pointed out that Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj remains determined that the tariff should remain applicable.
According to Gjini, the tariff will remain as a tool in hands of the Kosovo Government, which conditions Serbia to change its relation towards Kosovo.
“We do not need to talk against each other. I think that Kosovo is in a good position to keep both the Government and the tariff, and then political parties can agree on when they want to enter elections. Prime Minister Haradinaj himself has stated this several times. The Prime Minister insists on keeping the tariff. PDK strongly supported him initially, but now it is put under pressure. Nevertheless, the Prime Minister is absolutely determined that the tariff should remain applicable,” Gjini stated.
Gjini implied that Haradinaj is strong and he does not accede to pressure.
Assembly sessions start with clashes between ruling and opposition parties
(KTV)
The Assembly started working on new session with old topics. The opposition called for prevention of President Hashim Thaçi from his aims to partition of Kosovo, as well as Government’s resignation.
Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti said they insist that tariff against Serbia should remain, but also on Haradinaj Government’s ousting.
Many concerns were raised at the session, and the topic of strikes and Law on Salaries triggered clashes. Nevertheless, the biggest clash there happened with regard to the budget.
Vetëvendosje’s MP Albulena Haxhiu asked Minister of Finance Bedri Hamza on what legal ground is he spending the budget, when 2019 has not yet been voted.
The clash went on when the ruling parties attempted to include government’s decision to extend the 2010 budget allocation on the agenda. This proposal failed in the first attempt, since there was no quorum during the voting process.
The ruling parties did not withdraw from their request, and tried for the second time the vote of this proposal which was strongly objected by the opposition.
The voting failed again as it managed to get only 56 votes of MPs, while the Assembly Presidency decided that the budget will be voted on Saturday.
Debate and clashes also took place when the President’s decision to return the Law on Freedom of Association in Non-Governmental Organizations was reviewed.
There were MPs who protected the rights of NGOs, and others who accused organizations of connection with organized crime.
Voting of this, as well as many other draft laws, was left to be done when the Assembly will have a quorum.
LDK will not vote the budget, Abrashi says
(RTK)
Arban Abrashi of Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) said this political entity will not vote the budget. He spoke on Wednesday on RTK’s “55 minutes” show.
“LDK has its doubts and remarks about the budget. We do not believe this budget brings development to the country; therefore we will not be part of it. Let it remain an issue of the [governing] coalition,” he said.
Draft law on dialogue does not stop Thaçi from discussing borders
(KTV)
Many criticisms and accusations were addressed towards the ruling parties regarding the Draft Law on Dialogue.
Chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Vjosa Osmani, said that the draft law does not prevent President Hashim Thaçi from discussing territory of the country.
Moreover, she said that this draft law legalizes President’s plan for partition of Kosovo.
Glauk Konjufca of Vetëvendosje also criticized and accused compilers of this draft law and the President.
The ruling party MPs and their partner in Dialogue, Shpend Ahmeti’s PSD, supported the Draft Law on Dialogue.
Despite all the remarks and accusations, the Draft Law on Dialogue was adopted with six votes in favour and three against.
The Assembly Presidency decided that the Draft Law on Dialogue will be discussed at the February 2nd session.
US Ambassador criticises government on failing to fight corruption
(GazetaExpress)
US Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett, commenting findings of the Transparency International’s new report on perceived levels of public-sector corruption, said ranking of Kosovo should concern every citizen.
The Transparency International’s latest annual report on perceived corruption around the world ranked Kosovo below average ratings. According to TI Kosovo had dropped two points since 2017, with rule of law and lack of accountability of public officials remaining key issues for the country, along with threats to journalists investigating corruption and a need for transparency in party financing.
The US Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett said the CPI2018 report findings on Kosovo in 2018 were worse than in 2017.
“The CPI2018 is out, and perceptions of public sector #corruption in #Kosovo in 2018 were worse than in 2017. This should concern every citizen of Kosovo. How can you help demand accountability from your government in 2019?” US Ambassador wrote in his Twitter account.
Investigations launched against police officers in Valbona Nrecaj’s case
(KTV)
Five months after the murder of Valbona Nrecaj and her daughter by her husband Pjetër Nrecaj, investigations for three members of the Kosovo Police station in Gjakovë/Djakovica have been launched.
The Kosovo Police Inspectorate (KPI) has filed a criminal report against three police officers for abuse of official duty in this case.
According to the criminal report, police officers of Gjakovë/Djakovica police station are suspected of illegally helping the suspect Pjetër Nrecaj to take the children under the care of their late mother, Valbona Nrecaj.
Those police officers conducted all the mediation without notifying their superiors.
But, Kosovo Police in Gjakovë/Djakovica said they were not aware of this criminal report and investigations against its members, with justification that this issue belongs to KPI.
Police spokeswoman in Gjakovë/Djakovica, Lirije Podrimja, briefly confirmed that the three police officers are continuing to be suspended.
The Kosovo Police Inspectorate, which in September suspended police officers with suspicions of misuse of official duty last year, was reluctant to speak.
This institution, which investigates violations of Kosovo Police members, only confirmed that this month it has submitted to the Prosecution a criminal report against three police station officers in Gjakovë/Djakovica.
Civil Service suspends strike
(TV21)
Kosovo Civil Service Union announced that they have suspended the strike. According to this Union, strike suspension will be in force until the approval of Draft Law on Salaries in the Assembly of Kosovo.
This decision follows Wednesday’s meeting of Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj with representatives of Kosovo Civil Service Union.
