UNMIK Headlines 13 November
Dialogue to continue if Serbia vows that it will not hinder Kosovo (Zeri)
The paper reports that the failure of Kosovo to join UNESCO has raised the dilemma of whether the Pristina – Belgrade dialogue should continue. Lawmakers and political analysts told the paper that this is the last chance for Kosovo to change the course of the negotiations, since according to them, many agreements reached are not being implemented by the Serbian side. Even the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Ganimete Musliu, said that the agreements that are not being implemented by Serbia should be reviewed. “We should ask the EU to pressure Serbia on these agreements,” Musliu said. Meanwhile the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP, Melihate Termkolli, said that now is the time to review the whole dialogue process with Serbia. Vetevendosje Movement spokesperson Frasher Krasniqi said that Serbia's aggressive campaign against Kosovo in UNESCO is a case to be used to annul the agreements reached with Serbia.
Tahiri: Serbia’s behaviour violated the dialogue (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo’s Minister without portfolio, Edita Tahiri, in an interview with the paper denied the possibility of suspending the EU-brokered dialogue with Serbia. She said that despite obstacles that Serbia made to prevent Kosovo from joining UNESCO, the dialogue for normalization of relations should continue. “Serbia’s behaviors violated the dialogue. It is the EU that should address these concerns,” Tahiri said. According to her, the suspension of dialogue would damage Kosovo. Tahiri also said that if the Constitutional Court considers that the agreement on Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities violates the Constitution of Kosovo, then it would be renegotiated.
Zbogar: Kosovo has more work to do (Koha Ditore)
Head of the EU Office in Kosovo and EU Special Representative Samuel Zbogar said in an interview aired last night on KTV that the European Commission’s Progress Report clearly indicates Kosovo’s spot on the EU integration path. “We have said Kosovo is at an early stage, which is logical because it only just signed the SAA (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) and is at an early stage of cooperation,” said Zbogar. He said there has been progress in the last year in Kosovo but at the same time there were both challenges and shortcomings. Zbogar said the report doesn’t address visa liberalization but added that Kosovo has made “good progress” in the process.
Kosovo think tank assesses EC’s progress report (Kosova Sot)
The Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) think tank presented its assessment on the latest European Commission Progress Report on Kosovo saying that it concluded Kosovo lacks specialized judges and prosecutors to try serious cases of corruption while public institutions are still at an early stage of socio-economic development. According to the KDI, the report identifies three challenges that need to be addressed urgently: the fight against corruption, the functioning of the Assembly and election-related issues.
Ymeri: Opposition will not shift stance (Kosova Sot)
Vetevendosje leader Visar Ymeri said that the opposition parties have not shifted their position against agreements with Serbia because they have not changed their substance. “These agreements are extremely damaging for the Republic of Kosovo, the territory of Kosovo, and Kosovo’s functioning,” said Ymeri.
Serbs readying to unilaterally establish Association of municipalities (Bota Sot)
The paper quotes what it says are international sources saying that Serb radical elements in Kosovo are coordinating actions with Belgrade in face of the decision of the Kosovo’s Constitutional Court to temporarily suspend the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and one of the possible scenarios involves the unilateral establishment of the Association. The paper warns that such an action would lead to the creation of a territory outside the control of Pristina authorities and would highly complicate the political situation in Kosovo.
Clashes between Thaci and Veseli supporters (Zeri)
In a front-page story, the paper reports that the idea that the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Hashim Thaci will give up the post of President in order to retake the post of Prime Minister has caused clashes within the party’s senior officials. Citing unidentified sources, the paper reports that supporters of PDK deputy leader Kadri Veseli are seeking Thaci’s appointment as President, thus leaving the party’s steering wheel to Veseli.