UNMIK Headlines 16 February
Thaci: Kosovo today stands as source of regional stability (Epoka e Re)
Ahead of the seventh anniversary of Kosovo’s declaration of independence, its former Prime Minister and now Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaci, told the paper that in the seven years, Kosovo has made more progress than anyone believed it would. “The new country has been consolidated in and out and today is a source of stability for the region and beyond,” said Thaci. He added that this year Kosovo aims to apply for membership in a number of international organisations and also expects to sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU.
EU concerned with migration of Kosovo people (Epoka e Re)
The Spokesperson of the European Union High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Maja Kocijancic, told the Albania-based Ora News TV that the EU is concerned with irregular migration of the people from Kosovo and called on the Kosovo government to strengthen control on border crossing points. She said that there has been a considerable increase in demands for asylum from Kosovo in the EU countries. Kocijancic said that Kosovo institutions should also reinforce information campaigns on this issue, investigate bus companies facilitating the travel from Pristina to Belgrade and strengthen cooperation with countries of transit and destination countries. She added that all these issues were raised in the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue.
70,000 Kosovars in Hungary and Austria (Epoka e Re)
Serbia’s Minister of Interior, Nebojsa Stefanovic, stated that the Serbian police detained 2,311 individuals in over a month’s period while trying to cross the border between Serbia and Hungary illegally. He hailed the cooperation with the 20 German police officers who helping Serbian colleagues for two days now. According to Stefanovic, over 40,000 people from Kosovo are already in Hungarian camps, while 30,000 thousand in Austria. He added that only 0.5 to 1 percent of these people have chances to be granted asylum.
Ymeri presents candidacy for leader of Vetevendosje (dailies)
The head of Vetevendosje parliamentary group, Visar Ymeri, on Sunday presented his candidacy to become the leader of this party. Ymeri said that his priority will be strengthening of the regional branches of Vetevendosje and pledged cooperate with trade unions, increase contact with the poor, and increase cooperation with the students and unemployed who, according to him, are forces that bring change in Kosovo. Internal elections in Vetevendosje will be held on 21 and 22 February, and Ymeri is the only candidate running for Vetevendosje’s leader.
Jahjaga meets Croatia’s President, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic (dailies)
President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, met on Sunday with the President of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. Jahjaga and Grabar-Kitarovic discussed deepening of bilateral relations between Kosovo and Croatia and the European prospect of the region. Jahjaga congratulated Grabar-Kitarovic on her election as the first female President of Croatia, stressing that Kosovo and Croatia have witnessed significant evolution in social and political aspects. Grabar-Kitarovic said that she was committed to continue development of relations between Kosovo and Croatia and provide support to Kosovo's Euro-Atlantic integration process.
Kadaj-Bujupi: Agreement on justice violates constitution (Gazeta Express)
The head of parliamentary group of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Donika Kadaj-Bujupi, told Voice of America that the agreement on justice between Pristina and Belgrade violates the constitution and laws of Kosovo. She also said that the surge of irregular migration towards the European Union countries is the result of bad governance, and that people have lost hope and trust in Kosovo’s institutions.