Headlines - 05.04.2018

• Assembly adopts investigation committee for six Turkish nationals (media)
• Haradinaj: I cannot give away my home for the sake of a friend (Lajmi)
• Intelligence chief offered his resignation (RTK)
• All parties favor early elections, except GDP (Zeri)
• Haxhiu: We need to go to elections as soon as possible! (Bota Sot)
• New structures for Association/Community established (media)
• Kosovo leaders expect news on visa liberalization soon (Koha)
• “Four MPs are being investigated for corruption” (Zeri)
• Haradinaj: Withdrawal of Burundi’s recognition due to Serbian officials (Lajmi)
• Russia accuses internationals of allowing Djuric’s arrest (Kosova Sot)
• Government approves nomination of Trepca board members (media)

Assembly adopts investigation committee for six Turkish nationals (media)

All media cover yesterday’s extraordinary session of the Kosovo Assembly on the arrest and deportation of six Turkish nationals. Koha Ditore reports on the front page that MPs accused President Thaci and Prime Minister Haradinaj for the deportation of the Turkish citizens. Haradinaj and Assembly President Kadri Veseli did not attend the session. At the end of the session, MPs adopted four recommendations: 1. To set up a parliamentary committee that will investigate the deportation of six Turkish nationals, 2. Parliamentary groups to send the names of their representatives in the committee to the Assembly Presidency within three days, 3. The Assembly obliges all relevant institutions to respond to the requests of the investigation committee, and 4. The Assembly gives the investigation committee the mandate to check if procedures followed in the case were in compliance with the Constitution and the applicable legislation. Koha Ditore also notes that while Albanian MPs expressed concern over the violation of human rights, Turkish MPs said the deportation of the six Turkish nationals was necessary. Kosova Sot notes in its coverage that MPs have called for President Thaci’s dismissal. Bota Sot reports on its front page that “the deportation of Turkish citizens has caused an earthquake within Kosovo’s institutions”. In another article, the paper notes that the incident will hinder Kosovo’s path toward EU integration.

Haradinaj: I cannot give away my home for the sake of a friend (Lajmi)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj said on Wednesday that he will complete Kosovo’s duties on his own, without Turkey. “I did not interfere in Turkey’s affairs, I will commence Kosovo’s affairs without asking them. I am not very much informed about developments there. Kosovo citizens are not fools, they know how to judge. Something improper happened in my home, I acted as one should, based on the Constitution,” Haradinaj said. He added that no one can blackmail him. “I cannot give away my home for the sake of a friend,” he added.

Intelligence chief offered his resignation (RTK)

Kosovo’s Minister of Justice, Abelard Tahiri, told Pristina-based T7 broadcaster that the Director of Kosovo’s Intelligence Agency, Driton Gashi has offered his resignation following the arrest and deportation of six Turkish nationals. “Mr. Gashi has offered his resignation in order to make way for any decision made about him. He was sincere and ready. He said he does not want to be an obstacle of future decisions, after what happened,” Tahiri said.

All parties favor early elections, except GDP (Zeri)

The paper reports on its front page that political parties from the ruling coalition and the opposition, except for the GDP [The Group of Independent MPs], have said they are ready for early elections because of the difficulties faced by the current government. GDP MPs on the other hand said they are ready to help the current government “as there is no reason to go to early elections”.

Haxhiu: We need to go to elections as soon as possible! (Bota Sot)

Vetevendosje MP, Albulena Haxhiu, said on Wednesday that the government has created new structures that will form the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and this according to her will create another Bosnia in Kosovo. “Haradinaj must stop. He shouldn’t make the same mistake he made with the border demarcation [with Montenegro]. This is the only reason why Thaci and Veseli need Haradinaj. We need to go to elections as soon as possible,” Haxhiu added.

New structures for Association/Community established (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, together with the President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, in accordance with the decision of the Constitutional Court, the Constitution of Kosovo and the laws in power, have reactivated the managerial team which will draft the statute for the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. “Drafting of the statute will be transparent and all-embracing, and it will be comprised by three working mechanisms; managerial team, implementation committee and national constructive group, who will guarantee involvement of the entire political specter, civil society and other relevant mechanisms of the society. International mechanisms which helped Kosovo during all phases will be also involved in the process. The final drafting of the statute will be sent to the Constitutional Court in order to ensure that it is in complete accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo. With this step, Kosovo also fulfills the international obligation proving its commitment in the Euro-Atlantic road,” said a press release issued by Haradinaj’s office.

Kosovo leaders expect news on visa liberalization soon (Koha)

Heads of Kosovo’s institutions are saying that all visa liberalization requirements have been met even though EU Office Head in Kosovo, Nataliya Apostolova, said recently that local authorities must undertake several more steps in the process, chief among which is solid evidence of the fight against organized crime and corruption. President Hashim Thaci told the National Anti-Corruption Council on Wednesday: “following the [border] demarcation and the visits I had in Brussels, it was concluded that Kosovo has met the 95 requirements for visa liberalization”.

“Four MPs are being investigated for corruption” (Zeri)

Imer Beka, chief prosecutor at the Basic Prosecution Office in Pristina, told the paper on Wednesday that four members of the Kosovo Assembly are being investigated on corruption charges. Beka also said his office was investigating ministers, deputy ministers, mayors and other state officials. “We have 206 unfinished cases. All these cases involve state officials, suspected to have manipulated with social property or the budget of Kosovo,” he added.

Haradinaj: Withdrawal of Burundi’s recognition due to Serbian officials (Lajmi)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj, said on Wednesday that withdrawal of the recognition of Kosovo’s independence by Burundi, did not happen due to statements made by Kosovo’s government officials. “Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli is active, he has secured several recognitions, and during this process we have recognitions but also retractions … This retraction comes as a result of Serbia’s continuous lobbying against the state of Kosovo,” Haradinaj said.

Russia accuses internationals of allowing Djuric’s arrest (Kosova Sot)

A spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday that international forces in Kosovo – KFOR and EULEX – silently endorsed the arrest of Marko Djuric, the Serbian government’s office for Kosovo director. Maria Zakharova posted on Twitter that international structures bear the biggest responsibility for the security of non-Albanians in Kosovo. She also accused international forces of preventing “Pristina’s illegal actions”.

Government approves nomination of Trepca board members (media)

Most media report that the Kosovo government approved on Wednesday the proposal of the recommendations committee for nomination of new members of the Supervising Board of the Trepca mining complex. Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said they are concluding in this manner the government’s pledge to complete all boards. The new members of the board are Esat Peci, Feris Fetahu, Xhaver Nura, Shyqeri Sadiku, Ardina Syla and Naser Peci. The recommendations committee remains to propose three other members of this board.