Headlines-14.03.2017

• Stoltenberg: KFOR, the only military force in Kosovo (Presheva Jone)
• Government has plan to transform KSF in autumn (Koha)
• Demolli: LDK will vote for KSF transformation (Bota Sot)
• Berisha: No elections even if demarcation is not adopted (Lajmi)
• Mustafa seeks recognition of Kosovo by Muslim states (Kallxo)
• Police arrest two suspects for murder attempt on Azem Vllasi (media)
• Jahjaga: UN to recognize status of victims of sexual violence (Epoka)
• ICRC promises aid to help resolve fate of missing persons (Epoka)
• Special prosecution indicts one person on terrorism charges (Zeri)

Stoltenberg: KFOR, the only military force in Kosovo (Presheva Jone)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg highlighted in his annual report how in 2016 the Alliance took further steps to keep almost one billion citizens safe. In the report, Stoltenberg also speaks about Kosovo noting that NATO has supervised the standup and training of a multi-ethnic, professional and civilian-controlled Kosovo Security Force (KSF). “The KSF is a lightly-armed volunteer force, with no heavy weapons such as tanks or heavy artillery and no offensive air capability. It has primary responsibility for security tasks such as emergency response, explosive ordnance disposal, management of hazardous material, fire-fighting and civil protection,” the report reads. However, Stoltenberg underlined that KFOR remains the only military force in Kosovo for maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Government has plan to transform KSF in autumn (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that the Kosovo government has silently stroke back against President Hashim Thaci’s initiative to transform the Kosovo Security Force into the Kosovo Armed Forces by amending the law. The government is determined to transform the KSF by amending the constitution. The paper further notes that the government adopted on Friday a document which notes that two constitutional amendments will be sent to the Assembly in the third quarter of the year. One amendment relates to the restructuring of the KSF and the mission of the Kosovo Armed Forces and the other amendment focuses on the formation of the Institution of the KAF Commissioner. For the fourth quarter of the year, the government has foreseen changes in the laws that relate to the KSF. The paper recalls that President Thaci wanted the transformation to be done by amending the law and within several days, but that he lacks international support for his initiative. Unnamed sources told the paper that international officials prefer the issue to be postponed for six months.

Demolli: LDK will vote for KSF transformation (Bota Sot)

Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Minister Haki Demolli said that the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) parliamentary group will vote in favour of KSF transformation into an army. In an interview to Kosovapress, Demolli explained that the government of Kosovo has forwarded the draft law to three line ministries to review it and that he was hopeful they would be able to send the bill back to the government as early as today. Demolli said the LDK trusts President Hashim Thaci’s assurances that every action towards KSF transformation is in coordination with international community.

Berisha: No elections even if demarcation is not adopted (Lajmi)

Besnik Berisha, advisor to Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, said on Monday that the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is determined to move forward processes that are being delayed. According to Berisha, even if the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro is not adopted this will not mean that Kosovo will got to early elections. “There will be no elections, no matter if demarcation passes or not. LDK is determined to move the processes forward … There have been some theories that Kosovo was losing territory. The Prime Minister requested by all means written proof that that the territory of Kosovo would remain as it was. If demarcation fails tomorrow, that would not mean that that Kosovo would lose territory but that someone did not like this agreement”.

Mustafa seeks recognition of Kosovo by Muslim states (Kallxo)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, hosted on Monday a meeting with the Secretary of the Muslim World League, Muhamed Bin Abdel el Isa. He informed the Secretary about the progress reached in Kosovo. Speaking about the process of strengthening Kosovo’s statehood, Musatafa stressed the need for Kosovo to be recognized by all countries of the world. A press release issued by Mustafa’s office noted that the Secretary of the Muslim World League valued the achievements in Kosovo and that he expressed the support of this League for further recognitions of Kosovo. “Kosovo’s independence is a just cause, therefore all countries of the world should recognize Kosovo state,” he said.

Police arrest two suspects for murder attempt on Azem Vllasi (media)

All media report that Kosovo Police arrested on Monday two suspects – Murat Jashari and Avni Llumica – who are believed to have shot lawyer Azem Vllasi in front of his apartment in Pristina on Monday. Vllasi was hospitalized after the incident but is not in a life-threatening condition.

Jahjaga: UN to recognize status of victims of sexual violence (Epoka)

Former Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga said on Monday that Kosovo needs strong international support so that the United Nations can recognize the status of cases of sexual violence during the Kosovo conflict. Jahjaga made these remarks during the publication of the second edition of the International Protocol on Documentation and Investigation of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

ICRC promises aid to help resolve fate of missing persons (Epoka)

Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa met on Monday with the Regional Director of the International Committee of the Red Cross for Europe and Central Asia, Patrick Vial. The meeting focuses on the work of the ICRC in Kosovo, with special emphasis on the fate of missing persons. Vial expressed the commitment of the ICRC to help resolve the fate of missing persons.

Special prosecution indicts one person on terrorism charges (Zeri)

Special Prosecution of Kosovo has filed an indictment with the Basic Court in Gjakova/Djakovica against one person accused of participating in a terrorist group. According to the indictment, the defendant is believed to have fought alongside the so-called Islamic State in Syria in 2014.