Headlines - 17.03.2016

Border demarcation commission’s report to be finalized in two weeks (Koha)

The paper reports that the ad-hoc commission established by President Atifete Jahjaga to look into the border demarcation agreement between Kosovo and Montenegro is expected to present its findings in two weeks’ time. Officials from Jahjaga’s office said the commission, composed of three international experts, will not only scrutinize relevant documentation but will also meet with institutional and political officials in Kosovo and Montenegro.

LDK supports border-demarcation commission (Kosova Sot)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), through a press statement yesterday, said the ad-hoc commission of international experts for the border demarcation between Kosovo and Montenegro will perform its duty with professionalism, not based on political causes but on actual documents. The party has also called on other political parties to contribute to this process.

Vetevendosje’s Bojken Abazi deported from Kosovo (dailies)

The Vetevendosje Movement, through a press release, announced yesterday that its secretary of external relations, Boiken Abazi, was arrested by civilian police and was given a decision for his deportation from Kosovo. The police decision says that Abazi left Kosovo on 2 March 2016 and there are no data on his legal entry to Kosovo. According to Vetevendosje, this was not true. “The deportation of Boiken Abazi, who is a member of the Presidency and Secretary of external relations, happened only because he is a member of Vetevendosje and he is from Albania. Kosovo does not deport citizens of Serbia who exercise their illegal activities within the parallel structures,” reads the press release issued by Vetevendosje. Kosovo police also arrested Vetevendosje activist Dren Kukaj who went to the police station to ask for an explanation on Abazi’s deportation. Kukaj was sent to detention of 48 hours. 

Konjufca and others in EULEX case, released from detention (Epoka e Re)

The court session held on Wednesday decided to release the 13 accused activists of Vetevendosje movement, among them Glauk Konjufca, Frasher Krasniqi and Dardan Molliqaj, from the detention. They were being held for overturning EULEX vehicles in 2009. Xhelal Svecla, who was arrested on Wednesday for not showing up at the court, was also among the accused.

Haliti: Opposition’s boycott, comfort for government (Zeri)

Kosovo Assembly Deputy Speaker and senior member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Xhavit Haliti, told the paper the opposition’s boycott in the Assembly only created a comfort for the government. According to him, a parliament without an opposition voice would diminish Kosovo’s democracy. In regards to opposition’s request for early elections, Haliti said elections cannot be the solution to the current crisis. As for the special court for war crimes, Haliti believes Kosovo has done the right thing by voting the establishment of this court. “Only through such a process we can really clarify the allegations for war crimes,” he said. 

Three official vehicles set on fire throughout Kosovo (RTK/Kosovapress)

Several media report that three official vehicles were set on fire during the last night. One of the vehicles was set on fire in Ferizaj/Urosevac and belonged to the Institute for Social Work in this city. The second vehicle was burned in Gjilan/Gnjilane in the courtyard of the Basic Court. Meanwhile, Kosovapress reports that another government vehicle, used by prosecutor Ali Rexha, was set ablaze in Mitrovica last night. The car was parked in front of Rexha’s apartment block. Witnesses claimed to have seen three masked persons breaking the window of the car and then setting it on fire by Molotov cocktail. The police did not yet confirm the incident. 

Nishani: Association and demarcation to be resolved with maturity (Epoka e Re)

The Mayor of Pristina Shpend Ahmeti visited Albania on Wednesday, where he met with the President of Albania, Bujar Nishani, Assembly President Ilir Meta and Prime Minister Edi Rama. Nishani valued Ahmeti’s role on leading the municipality of Pristina and his serious determination for improvement of the daily lives of the people there. He also valued Kosovo’s progress since the declaration of independence especially on the increasing of brotherly relations between Albania and Kosovo at all levels. Speaking about the current political developments in Kosovo President Nishani stressed that it is very important not to impede the progress reached so far by political wars. “Treating of the major issues, such as Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities and border demarcation with neighboring countries should be resolved through a political maturity and suitable judicial approach,” Nishani said. 

KDI publishes report on Assembly’s work in 2015 (Koha Ditore)

The Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) presented yesterday a report on the work of the Kosovo Assembly in 2015. It concluded that the last year was characterized by tensions between the ruling and opposition parties which in turn translated into a low work output. The blocking of plenary sessions through use of tear gas, violation of parliamentary procedures, adoption of laws without a debate, as well as expulsions and arrests of opposition MPs are some of the problems identified by the KDI in its monitoring report.

EU praises Jahjaga’s role (Epoka e Re)

Samuel Zbogar, Head of the EU Office in Kosovo and EU Special Representative, as well as the EU Heads of Mission in Kosovo hosted on Wednesday a farewell lunch for Atifete Jahjaga, outgoing President of Kosovo, to thank her for the excellent cooperation over the past five years. The EU diplomats particularly praised President Jahjaga's role in trying to bridge political divides in Kosovo, stay above party politics, and work in the interest of the Kosovo people in a unifying way, while demonstrating statesmanship.