UNMIK Headlines 13 February
European Commission: Essential, uprooting corruption (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Minister of European Integrations, Vlora Çitaku, after the meetings with European Commission senior officials in connection with the dialogue for visa liberalization and rule of law said that it is not up to her to talk about the date when visas will be removed for citizens of Kosovo but she reaffirmed the commitment of the Government to fulfill “in record time” all criteria for visa liberalization.
EC officials evaluated that the issue of the date is not the first and foremost question which should be asked by the Kosovars. They presented before the Kosovo Government representatives the report with conditions that need to be fulfilled to achieve visa liberalization and expressed readiness to help and guide. EC officials also made it clear that the decision is taken in Brussels but the work has to be done in Kosovo.
Stefano Manservisi, European Commission General Director of Internal Affairs emphasized that EC considers that it is in joint interest to have visa liberalization for Kosovo. “Best way to do that is to work hand in hand and it is true that the decision is taken in Brussels but conditions are fulfilled here”, said Manservisi. In connection with the report of European Commission, Manservisi said that it underlines 70 recommendations which reflect the reality and do not hide anything.
AKR demands a ministry from Thaçi (Zëri)
New Kosovo Coalition (KKR) led by the party of Behgjet Pacolli New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) does not intend to give up the demand for taking over another ministry, namely the Ministry of Economic Development. This ministry is currently led by Besim Beqaj from Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) but AKR insists it is entitled to get another ministry since Agim Çeku left KKR and joined PDK.
The fate of the Ministry of Economic Development is expected to be determined after 18 February when Deputy Prime Minister Pacolli returns to Kosovo.
Haziri: Government, incapable of implementing EU agenda (Epoka e Re)
Chairman of the Assembly’s committee for European integrations, Lutfi Haziri, in an interview for the paper accused the Government of Kosovo of not engaging in the process of visa liberalization. He said that out of 92 requirements, the Government only implemented 22. “The fact that block recommendations include 70 concrete actions, we can freely say that the progress is very much limited and that the Government is lost in the agenda of visa liberalization,” said Haziri.
According to him, the main challenges on the road to visa-free travel remain corruption and organized crime.
KLA veterans boycott institutions in marking of independence (Koha Ditore)
KLA war veterans associations announced they are pulling out of the organizational council for marking of the fifth anniversary of declaration of independence of Republic of Kosovo as well as of all activities organized by state institutions – Presidency, Assembly, Government and municipalities.
KLA associations said in a statement that they were forced to undertake this decision because state institutions have ignored those who with their efforts and sacrifice are most deserving for the declaration of independence of Republic of Kosovo. They emphasized that the original plan was for KLA fighters to march alongside the KSF troops on the anniversary of independence of Kosovo but, as they said, Kosovo institutions decided not to allow marching of KLA.