UNMIK Headlines 13 February
Belgrade ensures “individuality” of north for judiciary (dailies)
Kosovo and Serbia agreed that there is going to be only one basic court for the entire region of Mitrovica, seven municipalities (not only with a Serb majority) and that this should be finalised in the next meeting between the prime ministers. However, there are going to be special buildings in the north, while the court “units” will reflect the ethnic composition of the specific area. Serbia says that this ensures “individuality and specificity of Serbs in the north.”
Similar to remarks made after previous meetings, Prime Minister Hashim Thaci gave few details about that what was discussed in the meeting but stressed that “everything will be according to the laws and Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo.”
Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic further elaborated on the topics discussed, noting that “individuality and specificity of Serbs in the north of Kosovo” has been preserved. “I cannot say that we have achieved an agreement, because it is not finalised yet, but I can say that we are on the right path,” said Dacic.
Assembly commission discusses EP resolution (dailies)
Kosovo Assembly’s commission for foreign affairs said that the recently-passed resolution of the European Parliament on Kosovo is better than that of last year as it refers to Kosovo without a footnote. However, members of the commission said that the footnote is still present inside the text of the resolution and believe that this was more of a technical slip than intentional. Chairman Albin Kurti was authorised by the other members of the commission to prepare a note with remarks on the EP resolution that will be subsequently sent to Brussels.
Zbogar requests Assembly to perform SAA tasks (Koha Ditore)
EU Special Representative in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, in an informal meeting, requested for tasks arising from negotiations for Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) to be fulfilled by representatives of the Kosovo Assembly. EU representatives said there are many fields and topics where both institutions could exchange their views and expertise.
Constitutional Court: No more reserved seats (Tribuna)
Kosovo’s Constitutional Court rejected requests by communities’ MPs to benefit from the system of reserved seats at the Assembly for another mandate. The court ruled that the provisions referred to in the MPs’ request are not embodied in the Constitution of Kosovo. “Claimants do not specify which human rights would be violated and how,” the court said further.
Thaçi sees elections as a need (Tribuna)
The governing coalition does not have the necessary votes to approve the important draft-laws, while the opposition is powerless to ensure 61 votes to bring down the Government. This situation in the Kosovo Assembly has created a new institutional crisis in which Thaçi is also interested to overcome. After his return from Brussels, he is expected to immediately start meeting with the heads of parliamentary parties to discuss a way out of the present situation. One senior official preferring to remain anonymous said Thaçi will consult with the heads of parties, with which he agreed on election reform, when the best moment would be to hold parliamentary elections.
Radivojevic sentenced to 8 years in prison (Koha Ditore)
Ivan Radivojevic was convicted to eight years in prison for war crimes against the civil population. The decision was taken by a judicial body consisting of local and international judges. Radivojevic was accused by EULEX to have abused at least 40 Kosovars in 1999 at the bus station in Fushe Kosova, reports KTV. Witnesses have heard during legal process said that they recognised Radivojevic among the Serb policemen because he was their neighbor in Fushe Kosova.
Prosecution investigates “HIB Petrol” (Zeri)
The Basic Prosecution in Pristina launched investigations against the “HIP Petrol” company for suspicion of selling heating oil instead of Eurodiesel oil to the municipality of Pristina. The market price for oil is around 1.2 euros, while heating oil is 40 percent cheaper. Pristina municipal officials said they provided the prosecution sufficient evidence to open a case.