Headlines - 26.08.2016

• UN Security Council debates on Kosovo (media)
• U.S. message for Kosovo: Ratify demarcation with Montenegro (Epoka)
• Protest against border demarcation in Peja on Saturday (media)
• Kelmendi: My vote will be against demarcation (Epoka)
• Simić: Serbian List might not participate at demarcation voting (Epoka)
• Government, opposition clashes over demarcation on Facebook (Epoka)
• Kosovar women to protest against Jeremic’s bid for UN chief (media)
• Kosovo’s roads and railroads part of Albania-Serbia protocol (Koha)
• Azem Syla released from detention (Epoka)
• Vetëvendosje to organise “symbolic action” in Mitrovica today (media)

UN Security Council debates on Kosovo (media)

All media cover yesterday’s session of the United Nations Security Council on Kosovo. Koha Ditore reports that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has criticised the failure to implement agreements reached in the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue in Brussels. The paper also reports that UNMIK chief Zahir Tanin, through a video-link, informed the Security Council about the latest developments in Kosovo, noting that ongoing political tensions between the government and the opposition are impeding the normal functioning of institutions. Zëri on its front page quotes Kosovo’s Ambassador to Washington, Vlora Çitaku, as saying that the UNSC sessions on Kosovo are a waste of time because Kosovo is on a state-building path. The paper notes that in his address, UNMIK chief Tanin said that there have not been any interethnic incidents in Kosovo in the last three months. Kosova Sot notes that in his report, Tanin mentioned an incident between an Albanian and a Serb over a parking space. Telegrafi quotes Kosovo’s Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, as saying that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was not properly informed in the past about the Brussels dialogue. “This is the first time that he talks about both sides. In the past, Mr. Ban criticised only the Kosovar side. I am glad that he now views both sides with the proper information he receives,” Tahiri said. Epoka e Re reports on its front page that during her address to the Security Council, Ambassador Çitaku, said that Serbia should give up Kosovo and reflect. “No one was punished for the majority of killed children in Kosovo despite the fact that there is evidence on the perpetrators who committed the crimes,” Çitaku said. She also said that the meetings at the UNSC are more of a waste of time as Kosovo is already on its way of state-building. “Kosovo is a new republic, which is facing challenges, however it should not be facing challenges like this one, meeting every three months. We are wasting our time with matters that are not of importance, this time could be used for something better,” she said. She also spoke about Kosovo’s challenges on the rule of law and reported on the progress of Kosovo’s war against terrorism. “No Kosovar joined ISIS during the last ten months,” Çitaku said.

U.S. message for Kosovo: Ratify demarcation with Montenegro (Epoka)

The representative of the United States of America at the UN Security Council, Ambassador Michele Sison, said that Kosovo should ratify the agreement on the demarcation of the border with Montenegro and advance on its integration path. Speaking about the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, Sison appealed to both parties to implement the agreements. “The rhythm of normalization has slowed down. Implementation of these agreements has been prolonged. We request from the parties to continue with negotiations,” said the U.S. representative at the UN Security Council.

Protest against border demarcation in Peja on Saturday (media)

Several media report that a protest will be held in Peja on Saturday against the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. Representatives of the regions of Rugova, Podguri and Deçan told a press conference on Thursday that members of the Kosovo Assembly will have to choose on 1 September if they will be remembered for “national treason or for defending national identity”. Ali Lajçi, a member of the organisational council of the protest, called on all citizens of Kosovo to join the protest on Saturday, “because the border with Montenegro is a state and not municipal border, and the border delineation by the Kosovo Government needs to be strongly opposed”.

Kelmendi: My vote will be against demarcation (Epoka)

The independent MP of the Assembly of Kosovo, said in an interview for the paper that for the sake of some fellow residents, he will vote against demarcation of the border with Montenegro. He said that Čakor is the spiritual border of the people from Rugova. He added that his objection to the demarcation is not the same as that of the opposition parties. Kelmendi further criticized both the government and opposition on the matter. According to him, the government did not inform the opinion sufficiently about the agreement, while the opposition has politicized it.

Simić: Serbian List might not participate at demarcation voting (Epoka)

Head of the Serbian List at the Assembly of Kosovo, Slavko Simić, said that Serb MPs might not participate in the voting on the demarcation of the border with Montenegro. The Serbian List has yet to decide on its participation, even though it considers the process to be complicated but important for the citizens who live not only in Kosovo. “We are focused on economic and infrastructural progress of our surrounding. This is an issue that does not preoccupy us much and during this last year we have been outside of the entire decision making process on this significant matter of vital interest,” Simić said.

Government, opposition clashes over demarcation on Facebook (Epoka)

Leaders of the state institutions and those of the opposition parties are debating the matter of the border demarcation on Facebook. This social network has become the arena of the disputes on demarcation. On one hand, Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and Prime Minister Isa Mustafa appeal every day to ratify the agreement for demarcation, while on the other, leaders of the opposition parties defend their position of objecting the agreement and request to stop pressure towards the MPs.

Kosovar women to protest against Jeremic’s bid for UN chief (media)

Most media report that a group of Kosovar women will hold a protest on 3 September in downtown Pristina against the candidacy of Vuk Jeremic for the post of United Nations Secretary-General. “If this person gets enough votes, Kosovo will lose its chance to join the United Nations. It is our obligation to raise the voice of protest. Serbia has apologised and it has not been condemned for genocide,” a press release issued by the organisers noted.

Kosovo’s roads and railroads part of Albania-Serbia protocol (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that Albania and Serbia are aiming to sign a series of agreements for the road and railroad transport that will affect Kosovo too. Governments of the two countries will soon meet in Nis, Serbia. Officials of the Kosovo Government will not be present at the meeting. The Nis meeting between Albanian and Serbian Prime Ministers, Edi Rama and Aleksandar Vucic, will be guided by a protocol signed by the two governments in 2015. The paper further notes that Serbia has signed an agreement with Albania by including Kosovo’s railroads and national roads. According to the paper, which claims to possess a copy of the protocol, point 3.3 of the document talks about Kosovo’s railroads. The paper also notes that Albania has tried to keep the protocol a secret, whereas the Kosovar side found out too late about what was signed.

Azem Syla released from detention (Epoka)

Former MP of the Democratic Party of Kosovo Azem Syla, was released on Thursday from the detention. Syla will have to report to the police once a week. He is being accused of expropriation of properties.

Vetëvendosje to organise “symbolic action” in Mitrovica today (media)

Several news websites report that the Vetëvendosje Movement, the biggest opposition party, will organise what it called a symbolic action in Mitrovica today. “On March 26, at 12:00 hours, the Vetëvendosje Movement will organise a symbolic action in Mitrovica. The meeting with reporters will be held at the bus station in Mitrovica,” a press release said.