Headlines - 10.02.2018

• Haradinaj: Kosovo-Serbia agreement by 2019 (Telegrafi/RTV21)
• EU: Strategy treats Kosovo equally with rest of Western Balkans (Zeri)
• Hoxha: Kosovo committed to advancing EU integration process (Epoka e Re)
• “No EULEX judges and prosecutors as of July 1” (Koha)
• Assembly recommendation calls for int’l inquiry into grenade attack (Koha)
• Displaced Serb cancel visit to Kosovo citing security concerns (Telegrafi)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Haradinaj: Kosovo-Serbia agreement by 2019 (Telegrafi/RTV21)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, told RTV21 from the U.S. that he expects all open issues between Kosovo and Serbia to be resolved by 2019. “Things cannot remain the way they are now. You see we are all blocked. The EU has not blocked us but we are stranded by our own relations in the region. And this is not only us but Serbia as well and all others that cannot find a solution,” Haradinaj said. He pointed out that non-recognition of Kosovo by Serbia will keep the entire Balkans hostage to the future and risks “recycling the past.”

EU: Strategy treats Kosovo equally with rest of Western Balkans (Zeri)

In a written response to the paper, the EU Office in Kosovo said that the European Commission’s enlargement strategy treats Kosovo equally with the rest of the Western Balkans and that it offers a clear European perspective. “Accession criteria have not changed but the Strategy is an opportunity for these countries to catch up with the rest on the integration journey,” the EU said. In the case of Kosovo, this translates into implementation of reforms, fight of corruption, and implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

Hoxha: Kosovo committed to advancing EU integration process (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo’s Minister of European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, said in a telephone conversation with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, that there is no alternative to Kosovo’s membership in the EU vowing to complete all tasks in the integration process. Hoxha said Kosovo remains committed to advancing European integration process and that it will accelerate implementation of necessary reforms in cooperation with all relevant institutions.

“No EULEX judges and prosecutors as of July 1” (Koha)

As the government of Kosovo makes plans to end the mandate of the EU rule of law mission, an EU delegation is expected to visit in Kosovo at the end of the month to discuss the future of its mission and come out with a proposal, Koha reports. Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Abelard Tahiri, tasked with planning the transitory phase, said law enforcement agencies in Kosovo are ready to continue work unaided by EULEX. To this end, Tahiri said July 1 will see no more EULEX judges and prosecutors taking on new cases in Kosovo.

Assembly recommendation calls for int’l inquiry into grenade attack (Koha)

The Kosovo Assembly has adopted Vetevendosje-sponsored recommendations calling for an international inquiry into the grenade attack on the Assembly building in 2016 for which a group of Vetevendosje members already got convicted. The inquiry is also recommended to look into allegations that senior police officials were involved in “framing” the attack. The Ministry of Justice reacted shortly after the recommendations were passed saying they undermine the independence of judicial institutions while the Kosovo Judicial Council slammed the recommendations as “unacceptable.”

Displaced Serb cancel visit to Kosovo citing security concerns (Telegrafi)

A group of displaced Serbs have cancelled visit to the city of Gjakova/Djakovica after voicing concerns over their safety.  The group was planning a visit to the city cemetery but said that it was cancelling the trip because of an “atmosphere of intimidation, hatred and false accusations.” The group called on international institutions to ensure them the right to free movement and security. Earlier, members of the civil society filed a war crimes lawsuit against former Gjakova/Djakovica mayor, Djokica Stojanovic, who is also head of the city’s association for the displaced persons.