Headlines - 05.05.2016

EU High Representative Mogherini to visit Kosovo today (RTK)

The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini will visit Kosovo today. Mogherini is expected to address the Kosovo Assembly MPs during a solemn session following the European Commission’s recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo. Mogherini will also meet Prime Minister Isa Mustafa.

In best-case scenario, Kosovars to travel without visas starting in summer (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that the European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said on Wednesday that he hopes the EU Council and the European Parliament will very soon adopt the Commission’s recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo and that the procedure is expected to last 2-3 months. Avramopoulos also said Kosovo needs to ratify the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro and intensify the fight against organized crime and corruption. “It is not easy for a state when it is labelled a corrupt country. Based on my contacts with representatives of the Kosovo Government, I understood that they are committed to combat these phenomenon. Evidence are given through results and I believe that Kosovo’s authorities will be able to eliminate organized crime networks in Kosovo,” Avramopoulos said.

Zbogar: Big day for Kosovo (Koha)

The head of EU Office/EU Special Representative in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, congratulated Kosovo on Wednesday for receiving the visa liberalization recommendation from the European Commission.  Zbogar said this was a big day for Kosovo. “Since the first day in Kosovo, I am constantly asked when will visa liberalization happen. And I said, it will happen very soon. And it happened today, I am very happy and glad to be here with you on this day,” Zbogar said. He said all Kosovo institutions have worked hard to meet the criteria to reach this day. “This shows that the EU listens to the citizens of Kosovo and Kosovo's concerns,” he added.

Lunacek: Day of joy for Kosovo (dailies)

The European Parliament Vice President and Rapporteur for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, congratulated the people of Kosovo on Wednesday on the visa liberalization recommendation. Lunacek said 4 May is a day of joy for Kosovo and a step that would end the long isolation for the citizens of Kosovo. “The European Commission’s long awaited green light for visa liberalization with Kosovo brings joy to Kosovo citizens and all of us who have been supporting visa free travel for this youngest European state for so many years,” Lunacek wrote on her Facebook account.

Vetevendosje complains about visa liberalization recommendation (dailies)

The Vetevendosje Movement welcomed the European Commission’s decision to recommend visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens on Wednesday. Through a press release, Vetevendosje argues that Kosovo should insist that all Balkan countries be treated equally and not to be used different conditions depending on the influence and interests.  “We believe that the isolation of the people of Kosovo so far has been unfair. The people should not have to pay the price of organized crime and corrupt politicians in power with whom various international officials, including those of the EU, have worked closely”, reads the press release. Vetevendosje states that the request of the European Commission for Kosovo to ratify the border-demarcation agreement with Montenegro before the visa liberalization recommendation passes the European Parliament, is unjust “because the current agreement with Montenegro is very harmful”. “Such request has not been made to Montenegro or any other country. The Republic of Kosovo has not demarcated the border with Serbia either. But this has not been a requirement.”

Haradinaj blames the government for visa liberalization delay (dailies)

The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, welcomed the recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo. However, he also criticized the current and past governments for delaying the process.  “The recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo, is good news. This recommendation, even though the last one of all other Eastern European countries, marks a significant step towards integration into the EU, which is our strategic determination. The delay in this process should be billed to current and past governments, while I call upon the authorities in Brussels not to delay the final decision for visa liberalization for Kosovo,” Haradinaj said.

Thaci: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to move to the next level (Bota Sot)

In a meeting with foreign ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in Pristina yesterday, President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci said Kosovo has one of the best Constitutions and one of the most advanced legal frameworks in Europe, “but we will keep making it even better in order to make sure that no one escapes justice”. “As President, I will encourage the amendment of existing laws and the drafting of new laws in order to fill in any possible gaps. Drafting a manual for judicial decisions, strengthening the transparency and accountability of the judiciary are some of the steps that Kosovo needs. News from the economy and the confirmation of positive trends are also very encouraging,” Thaci said. Speaking about the dialogue with Serbia, Thaci said his support for the process will continue. “I believe conditions are now ripe for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia to move on to another level. We need to reach a framework agreement that will pave way to the full reconciliation between the two states and nations … We have also concluded the demarcation processes with our other neighbors. We are building roads and highways that will bring us closer together and will ensure better cooperation and communication”.

Mustafa: We have US and EU support for forming of the army (Bota Sot)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa said Kosovo will have its own armed forces and that it has the US and the EU support on this. He said the fact that Kosovo is receiving positive feedback from the international community on the deep reforms it is undergoing shows that “we are able to manage all structures including the right to have our own army”.

EULEX to extend mandate beyond June (RTK)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa said that the mandate of the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) will be extended beyond June. He said the discussions on the mission’s competencies are still underway but that it will retain its presence in Kosovo as the local institutions have not yet managed to argue against it. He said talks are focusing on EULEX responsibilities in the Kosovo Constitutional Court and the Special Court.

Enver Hoxhaj returns to Foreign Minister post (dailies)

Former Foreign Minister and Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Enver Hoxhaj, has been re-appointed to the post of the Foreign Minister. The news was announced by acting-leader of the PDK, Kadri Veseli. Veseli said Hoxhaj has a lot of work to do in the integration processes. Speaking about the recommendation for visa liberalization, Veseli said that his party was the “locomotive” of this process. “PDK was the locomotive of this process. I thank the former Prime Minister, the Ministers for Integration and Foreign Affairs. The last wall towards Europe is down. Enver Hoxhaj will be responsible for Kosovo’s foreign processes,” Veseli said.

Two former Customs directors racing for post of PAK chief (Koha)

The paper reports on page four that Naim Huruglica, former General Director of Kosovo Customs, and Ekrem Hajdari, former director for law implementation and international affairs at Kosovo Customs, are in the race for the post of managing director of the Privatization Agency of Kosovo. Unnamed sources told the paper that members of the PAK board have contacted both candidates but there is no consensus yet on who enjoys the biggest support of the board. Neither Hajdari nor Huruglica agreed to talk to the paper on the matter.