UNMIK Headlines 27 August
Tahiri: Serbia has recognized Kosovo (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Minister without portfolio, Edita Tahiri, in an interview with the paper said that with the signing of the agreement on energy, Serbia has recognized Kosovo. This is because, according to her, in the agreement, for the first time in any agreement signed by Kosovo and Serbia the term “Republic of Kosovo” is mentioned. Tahiri said that all arrangements are in full compliance with the laws and Constitution of Kosovo and that the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities will not have executive competencies. In regards to the barricade over the Ibar River, Tahiri said that this barricade will be removed by 15 October, and the bridge will be open for vehicles and pedestrians by June next year. She said the agreements reached with Serbia bring Kosovo closer to the European Union.
US embassy commends Kosovo on agreements reached with Serbia (dailies)
The United States Embassy in Pristina congratulated the government of Kosovo for concluding four agreements in Brussels. “The agreements, which respect Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, will improve the lives of all people in Kosovo and are a victory for all sides. These steps will strengthen regional stability, contribute to normalization of relations with Kosovo’s neighbors, and help Kosovo continue along its path to closer integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions. The United States strongly supports the dialogue process, understands that it requires difficult decisions from all sides, and recognizes the courage required to look toward the future,” noted a press release issued by the US embassy.
Celebration in north, despair in south (Zeri)
The paper reports that Serbs in northern Mitrovica celebrated with fireworks the achievement of the Agreement on Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities. The Mayor of Mitrovica North, Goran Rakic, said that with this agreement, Belgrade has created a better life for the Serbs in Kosovo. Meanwhile, Albanians from Mitrovica south said that except for the removal of the barricade over the Ibar River, nothing has been achieved with this agreement. Lajmi.net reports that also the Serbian List representatives said that this round of talks between Belgrade and Pristina has brought significant progress towards greater protection of Serbs in Kosovo.
KDI: Association leads to third-level power in Kosovo (RTK)
Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) commented on the recent agreement signed between Pristina and Belgrade representatives for the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities by saying the mechanism is set to exceed freedom of association as stipulated by the Kosovo Constitution. In a press conference, KDI officials said the Association/Community does not have the features of a non-governmental organization as was originally announced but, rather, resembles a third-level power through the rights it will exercise in different fields.
Kosovo and Montenegro sign agreement on border demarcation (dailies)
Kosovo and Montenegro yesterday in Vienna signed the agreement on border demarcation. Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaci, said that the agreement is in full compliance with the 1974 Constitution, Ahtisaari’s documents and Kosovo Constitution. Thaci stressed that Kosovo has completed the process of border demarcation with Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Montenegro, and expressed the hope that this will be soon concluded with Serbia as well.
Protest against Kosovo-Montenegro border demarcation (RTK)
A group of local residents protested yesterday in Peja/Pec against the signing of the border demarcation agreement between Kosovo and Montenegro. The protest organizer, former Peja mayor Ali Lajci, appealed to the Kosovo leaders not to sign the agreement as it strips Kosovo of thousands of hectares of land. Lajci said the agreement would not produce peace and is not sustainable. He added that they plan to also organise protests in Pristina and are trying to raise enough signatures to oppose the ratification of agreement by the Kosovo Assembly.
Meucci and Kuci discuss war crimes (dailies)
The head of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Gabriele Meucci, yesterday met Kosovo’s Justice Minister, Hajredin Kuci, to discuss ongoing issues on the judiciary in Kosovo. Meucci and Kuci agreed on the importance of prosecution of all war crimes, regardless of the political or ethnic background of the perpetrators. In addition, they discussed the end of EULEX’s current mandate in June 2016.