Headlines - 28.12.2017

• Thaci: If demarcation does not pass in January, we will remain without visas (RTK)
• Thaci: Special court, historic injustice towards Kosovo (Epoka e Re)
• Government to prepare platform for final stage of dialogue (Epoka e Re)
• EU: Pristina and Belgrade decide on format of dialogue (Koha Ditore)
• Haliti: Not easy to abolish specialist chambers (Zeri/RFE)
• Daut Haradinaj: We will have visas but also Kulla and Cakorr (Lajmi)
• Usurped properties in Mitrovica North released to PAK (Zeri)
• Prosecution opens investigation into electricity billing in the north (Zeri)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Thaci: If demarcation does not pass in January, we will remain without visas (RTK)

The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, told Radio Free Europe that the initiative of the MPs for the Special Court is not a request to challenge the Court, but an alternative, as in other countries of former Yugoslavia, Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia. He said that he does not encourage MPs on the initiative to abolish the Law on Special Court, however he added that if the Assembly voted for it, he would have signed it. He does not consider that this would have been a deceit of the international allies. Thaci said that there is nothing closed in this world and assessed that every constitutional, legal step undertaken by regular procedure by the people elected from population, should be taken seriously. “Even today I consider that it is a historic injustice, especially now when the Hague Tribunal for former Yugoslavia is closed. Now the question is why something special for Kosovo, are we citizens of the second rank? Have we attacked any country? Serbia? Serbia occupied Kosovo and it was a defensive war of the liberators and population of Kosovo,” Thaci said. Thaci spoke also about demarcation of the border with Montenegro. “I think that we should proceed with demarcation as soon as possible. We should establish Association of the Serb-majority Municipalities and move towards visa liberalization. If this does not happen during January, Kosovo will continue to be isolated,” Thaci said.

Thaci: Special court, historic injustice towards Kosovo (Epoka e Re)

In another interview given to Epoka e Re, Thaci is quotes as saying that he supports the initiative to abolish the specialist chambers and that he would decree such a law. He said he considers the court to be “historic injustice” but that he pushed forward its establishment for the sake of preserving partnership with international community. Asked to comment on media reports that he could be among persons indicted by the new court, Thaci said: “I feel very proud for my entire activity with the Kosovo Liberation Army and I am convinced our war was pure, fair, and legitimate. This was the only way to win freedom and independence and if the special court is the price to pay for freedom, we will naturally take on all responsibilities put on us both as citizens and institutional leaders,” Thaci said. He noted that no one in Kosovo knows who will be indicted by the court but “one thing’s for sure, it will be KLA people.”

Government to prepare platform for final stage of dialogue (Epoka e Re)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, said a long list of duties await Kosovo next year. “The government needs to prepare a platform for the final stage of the dialogue and we have consulted the president and Assembly speaker on this,” Haradinaj said at the meeting of the government.

EU: Pristina and Belgrade decide on format of dialogue (Koha Ditore)

The EU has reiterated that the format of the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue is decided by the parties themselves. The EU’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, told the paper that Pristina and Belgrade should define dialogue’s rhythm and format. As to the implementation of agreements reached so far in the process, Kocijancic noted that “both sides have reconfirmed their strong engagement in implementation of agreements.”

Haliti: Not easy to abolish specialist chambers (Zeri/RFE)

Kosovo Assembly Deputy Speaker and member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Xhavit Haliti, told RFE that abolishment of the specialist chambers is not an easy process. He said Kosovo has reached agreement with the EU to establish the court and has also received funds for the purpose. “It is not easy to undertake steps that will breach all these agreements,” Haliti said.

Daut Haradinaj: We will have visas but also Kulla and Cakorr (Lajmi)

Daut Haradinaj, Kosovo Assembly MP from the Alliance for The Future of Kosovo (AAK), said the problem of the demarcation of the border with Montenegro was inherited but added that they did not hesitate to deal with it. “We have established a new commission which addressed the government and the Assembly with its findings. It belongs to the parliamentary committee to submit it to the Assembly session and then it remains in hands of the MPs. The government did a good job by sending it to the Assembly and this matter should have its epilogue at the Assembly of Kosovo.” He said that he would vote against the current agreement for demarcation of the border with Montengro. Haradinaj said no one guarantees that liberalization of visas will happen by demarcation of the border. “We will gain liberalization of visas but also Kulla and Cakorr. It is an injustice that we are kept isolated,” Haradinaj said.

Usurped properties in Mitrovica North released to PAK (Zeri)

Privatisation Agency of Kosovo (PAK) director, Ekrem Hajdari, said in a press conference that an operation to free socially-owned usurped property was being carried out in Mitrovica North. The paper reports that seven facilities illegally occupied are expected to be put under PAK management and that this also includes the infamous “Dolce Vita” café bar near the main bridge in Mitrovica.

Prosecution opens investigation into electricity billing in the north (Zeri)

Kosovo’s Special Prosecution has opened a preliminary investigation into the practice of billing unpaid electricity in the north. Prosecutor Ali Rexha confirmed asking the police to gather information regarding allegations that consumers in the other part of Kosovo were charged for unpaid bills in the north.