Thaçi: Kosovo shouldn’t undermine alliance with US because of Serbia
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi said that Kosovo may not undermine its strategic alliance with the United States, due to the animosity with Serbia.
On Monday he spoke with Report Tv.
“Nobody would think that Kosovo could dispute the US advice. Kosovo is a state in its building process, in the process of its internal and external consolidation, and it does not have the luxury and may not say ‘no’ to the US. Kosovo does not have the luxury to satisfy the opponents of independence,” he said.
“Let us not think that we are the epicentre of the world. Where would we be without support of the US?” Thaçi highlighted.
Thaçi said that the tariff against Serbia should be rescinded; adding that although it is in effect, Serbian goods are still being smuggled, reaching Kosovo through Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania.
Haradinaj: Tariff is preventing formalisation of territory partition
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said that the tariff against Serbian goods has been preventing formalisation of the territory partition.
He made this statement at the commemoration on 29th anniversary of the murder of Enver Hadri.
“Today, 20 years after liberation and as we are entering the second decade of independence, the dialogue for normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia has been deviated by some circles in Kosovo and Brussels, turning into a dialogue for territories. Therefore, today we need the model of our hero Enver Hadri, in order for the history not to be repeated.
The determination to stick to the right of Kosovo of 17th February, is alignment on the right side of history, and with our action to block goods of Serbia, the 100 percent tariff, is also an action that prevents formalisation of a partition.
Kosovo does not give land in exchange for recognition, and if this is the price, Kosovo does not need recognition by Serbia,” Haradinaj said.
Vucic intends to launch internal debate about Kosovo
(Most monitored broadcasters, Klan Kosova)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated on Monday that in the coming days he would discuss with leaders of the Serbian Government about Serbia’s policy towards Kosovo, and about messages of all countries of the world.
“If we fulfil our part of the Brussels Agreement 100 per cent, whereas Albanians do not fulfil any obligation and impose 100 percent tariffs and appoint private persons in the Government, then the question arises whether our responsible and serious policy is the only response possible,” Vucic said at a press conference, following his meeting with the French Foreign Minister Nathalie Loiseau.
Vucic’s reaction to appointments in the Kosovo Government happened a few hours after Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj appointed Dijana Zivic as Minister of Agriculture.
Her appointment followed dismissal of Nenad Rikalo of Srpska Lista, a party which enjoys Vucic’s support.
On the same topic, Klan Kosova reported that representative of Gorani community in the Kosovo Assembly, Adem Hoxha, said that appointment of Diana Zivic as Minister of Agriculture was absolutely in contradiction with democracy, and it demonstrates disrespect for democratic values and for members of the Government coalition by Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj.
“As the only MP from Gorani community, I am disappointed for not being consulted about appointment of new ministers… and thus I raise the question of her legitimacy, because she is a person who is still in her studies, she is a student,“ Hoxha said in a press statement.
“Hereby, I would like to inform the public that I can no longer support proposals of this Government in the Kosovo Assembly, because I have reached here with votes of citizens who want the rule of law, democracy, and order in Kosovo,” he stated.
Serb List says Kosovo PM linked to protests in Belgrade
(N1)
A Kosovo Serb party loyal to Belgrade has attacked Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj for appointing a member of a rival Serb party to his cabinet, claiming that Pristina made a deal with the Serbian opposition.
The Serb List said that the appointment of Dijana Zivic of the Independent Liberal Party to the post of agriculture minister showed that Haradinaj does not respect the Kosovo Serbs since she has “no legitimacy among the Serb people just like her party”.
“The Serb List publicly distances itself from Dijana Zivic as a representative of the Serb people. Our members will not cooperate with her because she did not get the post based on the will of the electorate but under a decision by Haradinaj and his agreements with the opposition in Belgrade,” a statement said.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Haradinaj had chosen his own private minister just to show that he is all-powerful.
According to the Serb List, Haradinaj’s decision to appoint Zivic has officially made him part of the 1 in 5 Million protests, adding that Zivic has become the link between (Serbian opposition leader) Djilas, Jeremic and Obradovic and Haradinaj.
Senior officials of Zivic’s party complained earlier of harassment by the Serbian authorities.
Shala calls for tariff suspension
(RTK1)
Blerim shala, advisor to President Hashim Thaçi, says that the 100 percent tariff on products of Serbian and Bosnia and Herzegovina origin should be suspended.
“Objectively, the stance of the EU and of the US, which has been made clear to us, is that the tariff should be suspended, in order to give dialogue and an agreement between the two countries a chance,” Shala said on Pressing show.
Shala says that the tariff has caused freezing of the dialogue, and opening of problems between Kosovo and the US and EU.
“It is evident that we should try to implement a comprehensive agreement between Kosovo and Serbia,” he added.
According to him, communication between Prishtinë/Pristina and Belgrade authorities has stopped at all levels since November last year.
“Since 8th November when last meeting took place, there has not been any communication or discussion between Thaçi and Vucic,” Shala said.
Kosovo applies for INTERPOL membership again
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Kosovo has again applied to become member of INTERPOL, and the application has been received by this organisation. This was confirmed by the Kosovo Government officials.
Kosovo Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Izmi Zeka told Radio Free Europe that Kosovo submitted its application for INTERPOL membership on 31st January.
He believes that this year Kosovo will be more engaged diplomatically, in order to become an equal member of INTERPOL.
On the other hand, Serbian authorities said that they have been preparing to oppose admission of Kosovo to INTERPOL and to other international organisations.
Last week, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said that Kosovo’s application for INTERPOL membership was a suiciding action.
Police released eight Serbs in Brezovica
(RTK1)
On Sunday evening, Kosovo Police arrested eight Serb nationals in a zone in Brezovica.
They were suspected to belong to some illegal structure.
This was confirmed by the Police spokesperson Baki Kelani.
“After interviewing and verification procedures were conducted, in consultation with the prosecutor in charge, the suspects, who had been suspected to belong to some illegal structure, were set free,” Kelani said.
Gashi sent to Disciplinary Committee because of statement given to KTV
(KTV)
Because of his statements given to Kohavision, former applicant for director of Kosovo prisons Ali Gashi has been investigated by the Inspectorate of Kosovo prisons.
This happened upon request of the Minister of Justice, Abelard Tahiri.
After the investigations, the chief inspector, along with two other inspectors concluded that Gashi should be sent to the Disciplinary Committee of the Kosovo Correctional Service.
On Monday, Gashi answered questions of the Committee members for about an hour.
The Committee is expected to decide about disciplinary measures against Gashi.
In his interview with KTV, he had accused director of prisons Nehat Thaçi that since the time he has led the Correctional Service, from two sectors that the Juvenile Department in Prishtinë/Pristina is supposed to have, another two sectors have been added.
Following Gashi’s complaint, the Independent Oversight Board requested cancellation of the job vacancy. Gashi says that Minister Tahiri has no right to send him to the Disciplinary Committee.
However, Minister of Justice Abelard Tahiri says that when such statements for abuse are made public, he cannot remain indifferent. Tahiri said that was the reason why he requested the investigation at the Correctional Service.
Tahiri did not disclose details of the report of the Inspectorate and did not tell whether Gashi’s allegations were grounded, with the justification that it is an internal document.
Ministry of Public Administration had found appointment of Nehat Thaçi as director of prisons legal, and sent to the Court the decision of the Independent Oversight Board to cancel the vacancy, and the Court is expected to establish the case.
