Headlines-21.02.2015

Jacobson: Special court to deal with only ten cases (Koha Ditore)

The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson, said on Friday that the establishment of the special court, which will deal with war crimes allegations, is in the benefit of Kosovo and its future. According to her, this court will function according to Kosovo laws, and it will deal with individual cases. She said that there will be no more than ten such cases. Jacobson made these comments during a visit to Prizren Basic Court.

Special court to function as parallel court (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports on its front page that the special court will operate completely in parallel to Kosovo justice mechanisms. According to the draft-law for the special court, this court will have: Basic Court Chamber, Court of Appeals Chamber and the Supreme Court Chamber. The paper writes that a Special Prosecution Office within the special court, will receive the mandate and personnel from the Special Investigative Task Force (SITF).  Zeri reports on its front page that MPs from opposition political parties reiterated that they will vote against the draft-law on the establishment of special court.

Kosovo judiciary needs EULEX (dailies)

The Kosovo government on Friday presented its new strategy to address the enormous problems in the justice system. "The Strategy for assistance in the sector of rule of law 2016-2019" was presented by the Minister of Justice, Hajredin Kuci, during a public discussion in Pristina. According to Kuci, the contribution of this strategy will be in three segments: improving the independence of the judiciary, increasing its efficiency, and increasing the accountability and impartiality of the judiciary. Kuci emphasized that there are two processes that the government has been more focused on: the process about the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and visa liberalization process. Speaking about international presence in the segment of justice, Kuci stressed that the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) should remain in Kosovo until the local institutions have full stability in this field.

Zbogar: Special court to improve Kosovo’s image (Lajmi)

The European Union Representative / Head of EU Office in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, told Politiko news agency that the establishment of the special court, which will deal with war crimes allegations, will improve Kosovo’s image. “These proceedings will eventually clean up the image of Kosovo, because, individuals and not the state, will be investigated for war crimes allegations” said Zbogar. In regards to irregular migration, Zbogar said that people from Kosovo are leaving for many reasons, but reiterated that there will be no asylum granted for them. He said that visa liberalization does not resolve the issue of migrants, and that there is still work to be done in this regard.

Hahn: Kosovo people are fleeing from economic crisis (Koha Ditore, Kosova Sot)

The European Union Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, said on Friday in Brussels that the Kosovo people are migrating towards European Union countries because of economic crisis. Hahn told media that he disagrees with the Kosovo authorities that say that the lack of visa liberalization is the cause of migration. The EU commissioner said that the solution to this situation should be sought in economic development, by creating a more favorable climate for foreign investors, and by combating organized crime and corruption. He noted that the EU has allocated 660 million euro for Kosovo's economic development in the next five years.