Headlines - 14 01 2016

Haradinaj: Opposition will call new protests soon (Kosova Sot)

The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, told Pristina-based broadcaster KTV that the opposition will not give up on their demands. He stressed that the opposition will call for new protests soon, despite the fact that there were incidents in the last protest. According to him, protests will not stop until the resignation of the government. In regards to border demarcation with Montenegro, he said no expert in the world could change his stance on this issue.

PDK appeals for dialogue within institutions (Epoka e Re)

The leadership of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), discussed on Wednesday during its regular meeting the recent developments in Kosovo. The leadership stressed the need for complete normalization of the political situation and creation of the conditions for functioning institutions, in accordance with the Constitution, laws and democratic norms. A press release issued after the meeting reads: “The Democratic Party of Kosovo expresses faith that the solution of the current situation should be found through political dialogue in Kosovo’s institutions and it appeals to the entire political spectrum for an institutional dialogue among parties, without any exclusion.”

The press release further stresses determination of the PDK to strengthen the partnership with the international community, implement international agreements in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo, and strengthen the partnership with the Democratic League of Kosovo. The party condemned violence towards the institutions and called on the people of Kosovo to distance themselves from it.

Opposition: Jahjaga’s commission, meaningless (Zeri)

The opposition parties consider as meaningless the initiative of President Atifete Jahjaga to establish an international committee that would review the process of the demarcation of the border with Montenegro. The opposition is seeking the dismissal of the current Commission and the withdrawal of the agreement on border demarcation. “After the dismissal of the Commission and annulment of the agreement, the government should resign because it has lost its legitimacy,” said Frasher Krasniqi, spokesperson for Vetevendosje. According to him, Kosovo loses eight thousand hectares of land with the current agreement.  Activists of the three opposition parties yesterday held a symbolic action in front of the government building, calling for government’s resignation.  They placed some posters on the government fence with the inscription "Crime scene: violators of Constitution stay here".

The North reject census despite the “bargaining” with government (Koha)

The population and agriculture census in Kosovo’s four northern municipalities with Serb majority, planned for 2016, might fail. The local representatives of these municipalities, supported by Serbia, have requested the return of the displaced population prior to the census. They expressed their disagreement even after the government gave in on increasing the number of the advisers at Zvecan and Zubin Potok municipalities, which was a set condition for the census. Information officer of the Statistics Agency of Kosovo, Hazbije Qeriqi, also confirmed that the census planned for the end of the year will depend on some factors, mentioning cooperation of the mayors of four northern municipalities as being one of them.

Serbian Patriarch requests to defend Kosovo even by force (RTKlive)

The Austrian daily Die Presse reported that head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej, has requested to defend Serbian interests in Kosovo with all forces. “Unfortunately, the truth has to be defended even by violence,” said Irinej on Saturday for Jedinstvo. “We pray never to lose this part of our country, we have to protect them even by force. Serbia and its Church consider Kosovo its sacred place, where every inch of the land was wetted with the blood of the best sons, daughters and children of our nation,” the Patriarch is quoted as saying.

Indictment filed against Enver Hasani (dailies)

The Special Prosecution of Kosovo (SPRK) yesterday filed an indictment against former President of the Constitutional Court, Enver Hasani.  Hasani is accused of the criminal offence of falsifying official documents and misuse of official position. Due to lack of evidence, the prosecution dropped the investigation against the current President of the Constitutional Court, Arta Rama-Hajrzi, who was also investigated for falsifying official documents.

Ahtisaari and Bildt might engage to mediate Kosovo crisis (Koha)

The Austrian-daily Der Standard wrote in an article published on Wednesday that a mediator is needed to end the current political crisis in Kosovo. Without mentioning any sources, Der Standard writes that the mediator should not necessarily be from an EU country, but someone like Marti Ahtisaari or Carl Bildt. “One of the options is also to engage the Venice Commission,” reports Der Standard. According to this daily, the agreement on Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities is being opposed because the government of Kosovo negotiated this agreement behind closed doors. The daily also writes the only political party in Kosovo that focuses on real problems is the Vetevendosje Movement, which is being ignored by the international community.