We will not talk about assets of Kosovo (Kosova Sot)

While it is expected in Brussels to continue new talks for the implementation of 19 April agreement, also in January 2014, Serb side is insisting to bring on the table also the topic of the main Kosovo assets in north of Kosovo municipalities with Serb majority, as it is the issue of Trepça, now divided in two parts, northern part and Mitrovica south, but also of Ujman, and the use of water richness of this lake.

The head of Kosovo team in talks, Deputy Prime Minister, Edita Tahiri, said to the newspaper that this request of Serbia is totally unacceptable for Kosovo side, and in this phase of talks that are connected only to the agreement of 19 April. The topic requested from Serbia remains closed for Kosovo side. “Regarding the issues of properties and richness of Kosovo this issue is under the sovereignty of the people and the state of Kosovo, and it will never be a part of the dialogue in Brussels. I have also said earlier, after it happens reciprocity recognition as two independent states, only then it could be a legitimate process of to begin with the succession topic that is done with international laws,” said Tahiri for the newspaper. 

Agreement for courts before 21 January (Kosova Sot)

Kosova Sot carries an interview with British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ian Cliff where he said that the argument presented by the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton before the ministers in Brussels was that Serbia has accepted the concept of basic court in Mitrovica north which will cover seven municipalities, four of them in the north, plus three others. But beyond this, there is an agreement how the branches will be functioning, and here there is a lot of work to be done in this direction. We hope very much that there will be an agreement for judiciary before the start of negotiations with Serbia on 21 January. 

Fuele: Recognition of Kosovo not a condition for Serbia (Kosova Sot)

European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fuele is quoted as saying that Kosovo needs to demonstrate a clear commitment in the fight against corruption and organized crime while noted that although the April 19 Agreement was facilitated by the EU, it is up to the parties, namely Kosovo and Serbia, to see it through and agree on its interpretation. “I urge the two parties to make efforts to overcome differences in the spirit of the dialogue and the first landmark agreement. I am convinced that prime ministers Thaçi and Dacic will find a solution”, said Fuele.

Asked whether Serbia can become an EU member without recognizing Kosovo, Fuele said that EU membership criteria are very clear and the aspiring countries should have a functional democracy and respect human rights but that recognition of Kosovo is not one of the conditions put forth to Serbia. 

Jacobson: Suspects, out of public positions (Kosova Sot)

The U.S. Ambassador in Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson, stated that in order to attract investments that would create jobs, Kosovo should continue not only to control corruption, but to reduce the perception of corruption. One way to reach this, is by assuring that institutions will be lead by qualified people while public officers who face charges raised by the independent judiciary, should be removed from their positions. 

Krasniqi: 2014 will bring novelties on political plan (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo Assembly Speaker, Jakup Krasniqi, assessed 2013 as challenging for Kosovo. He stated that policy making in Kosovo should change completely in 2014. “The Assembly was not itself each time that instrumentalized solutions were made and responsibilities were given to people who did not deserve it. We have made many such solutions during this year. This fact forces me to say that I wish this legislature will never repeat again,” said Krasniqi. He added that he is not only sick of the policy during the last legislation but disgusted as well. However, according to him, positive changes in 2014 will create space for other positive developments, and new perspectives for the citizens. 

Haradinaj: SHIK and intelligence services caused AAK to lose (Kosova Sot)

The head of AAK, Ramush Haradinaj, in an interview for Kosovapress, accused political opponents for incorrect campaign saying that information service of PDK, SHIK, and of other parties have caused AAK to lose in recent local elections.

Although he said 3 November elections were successful for Kosovo, this was not the case for his own party. Despite winning in three municipalities: Deçan, Junik and Obiliq, AAK has lost biggest municipalities which it governed: Gjakova, Suhareka and Rahovec. The cause of this loss, according to Haradinaj, was their “approach in supporting of national topics, or the support of the Government in some cases and as the SHIK of PDK and the information services of other parties,” said Haradinaj.