UNMIK Headlines 19 October
EU convinced on integration of the north (Koha Ditore)
The Representative of the European Union in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, expressed satisfaction with political trend in Kosovo. The first issue that he mentioned as an evidenced success in the Progress Report, is the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, and stressed that Pristina should be proud of this. He mentioned the start of the negotiations for Stabilisation Association Agreement (SAA) as another success, however, he added that this is not a success of the Government only, but of the entire society, including the opposition parties ans civil society. In an interview for this daily, Zbogar spoke about the “barricades on Kosovo’s path towards EU integration,” and stressed that elections that will be held in the entire territory of Kosovo, will open way to the integration of the north in Kosovo system.
EULEX investigates eight cases of terrorism in Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
EULEX prosecutors are investigating eight new cases of terrorism in Kosovo, four of which are in the final phase. EULEX Spokesperson Blerim Krasniqi stated that charges have been raised on two cases, however, he could not give further details on these cases. Ten individuals from Gjilan and Bujanovc, were convicted on Wednesday with 59 years and nine months prison in total, for terrorism acts, and for organising and participating in a terrorist group.
Serbs expect that Dacic will not be involved in the campaign (KohaDitore)
Despite the pledges of the Government of Kosovo that Serbian officials will not be allowed to enter Kosovo during the election campaign, Ivica Dacic will be in Kosovo on Saturday. His visit to Gracanica will take place at the same time when the Initiative of Serb Citizens, supported by Serbian Government, has planned a massive election campaign gathering. Even though the Serbian official has stated that he would only visit the Monastery, sources of this newspaper expressed dilemma that the visit could have been a pretext for participation in the election campaign.
Internationals foresee division of PDK (Tribuna)
Tribuna claims to posses a recent report of the organisation IHS Jane’s, dated 14 October, which foresees internal clashes within the biggest political party, the Democratic Party of Kosovo. The report says that major challenges await the leader of this party, among them being eventual formal division of the party, that could be initiated by Fatmir Limaj, before the general elections that will be held in spring of the next year. IHS Jane’s is based in the U.S. and gathers professionals for different researches and analyses.
Belgrade wants the position of Daka’s deputy (Tribuna)
Delegations of the technical level in the discussions between Kosovo and Serbia, have gathered in Brussels, to discuss some issues related to 3 Novemberelections. Sources of this daily said that delegations have to agree on the list of voters from Serbia and to find a formula for representation of Serbs, respectively the Serbian List for Kosovo at the CEC. According to these sources, Belgrade does not accept representation of Serb community with only one member, but insists on the level of representation equal to that CEC head. Belgrade wants one of the judges from Serb community to become Valdete Daka’s deputy.
MED: Gazivoda, Trepca and Vallaq, will remain property of Kosovo (Tribuna)
The Minister of Economic Development, Fadil Ismajli, replied to the recent statements of Serbia’s Energy Minister, Zorana Mihajlovic, who said a day earlier that Gazivoda and Trepca are part of Serbia’s industry. Ismajli stated that this statement is yet another agony of Belgrade’s policy and Government, which continues to feed fictive hopes with nonexistent arguments. He reminded Mihajlovic that Gazivoda was never a point of discussions/negotiations in Brussels, and added that the same is valid for Trepca.