UNMIK Headlines 28 February
KSF transformation in hands of Serbian List (Koha Ditore)
At least three MPs of the Serbian List would have to vote in favour of transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Kosovo Armed Forces (KAF) in order for the law to be passed at the Kosovo Assembly, writes the paper. Kosovo Assembly MPs however expressed concern over the readiness of the Serbian List to support the motion. KSF Minister Haki Demolli told a parliamentary commission that it is not under the competency of the ministry he lead to deal with concerns whether the legislation will be endorsed or not. “Our task is to prepare the draft law… and other issues will be addressed by the Assembly,” said Demolli. He added that before the law is passed, the Assembly would have to adopt constitutional changes which require two-third of votes from the members of the non-Albanian communities represented in the legislation.
Explosion reported in Mitrovica North (Koha)
An unidentified person is reported to have thrown a hand grenade in the centre of Mitrovica North causing only material damage and no casualties. The blast is said to have occurred at 6 a.m. in front of a pastry shop. More recent reports suggest that the grenade was thrown at a building that houses Veselinovic brothers suspected of involvement in criminal activity.
Kosovo to be granted EU candidate status (Zeri)
Kosovo minister without portfolio Edita Tahiri said in a meeting with a group of European MPs in Brussels that the EU needs to sign Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo as soon as possible and that Kosovo should soon after be granted EU candidate status. Tahiri stressed that Kosovo needs greater support from the EU and that visa liberalization process should also be finalized soon.