UNMIK Headlines 6 February
Parliament adopts resolution on preventing irregular migration (Koha)
The Parliament of Kosovo on Thursday adopted the resolution on preventing the irregular migration of the people from Kosovo. The resolution, sponsored by the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), calls on the Kosovo government to step up efforts in ensuring economic development, with a focus on creating new jobs. The resolution also proposes the creation of a special fund for preventing irregular migration and reaching an agreement with European Union countries to provide seasonal employment for the Kosovo people.
Jahjaga, Mustafa discuss irregular migration with EU officials (Epoka e Re)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, and Prime Minister Isa Mustafa met on Thursday with ambassadors and representatives of EU countries in Kosovo in an effort to address the issue of irregular migration of the people from Kosovo. Jahjaga expressed the deep concern of Kosovo institutions with the influx people leaving Kosovo, especially during the two last months. While she recognized the responsibility of Kosovo institutions to deal with the issue, she also stressed that cooperation with all EU countries is also required. EU countries’ ambassadors expressed concern regarding the increase of asylum seekers in their countries and stressed that they are treating this very carefully. They said that Kosovo should present economic measures to address the situation and that Kosovo should prepare for accepting the people after they are repatriated.
EU to pressure Serbia on irregular migration (Zeri)
The opposition parties are asking the Kosovo government to raise the issue of the Kosovo’s people irregular migration in the Brussels dialogue because, they maintain, Serbian authorities are enabling Kosovars to illegally cross the border into Hungary. Government officials say that they have asked Serbian and Hungarian authorities to prevent the illegal border crossings and noted that the issue of irregular migration can be treated directly with the countries involved in this process. Government officials also said they have asked the EU to contribute in preventing Kosovo’s people migration.
Jablanovic’s dismissal to be discussed in Brussels (Epoka e Re)
Dismissal of Aleksandar Jablanovic from the post of the Kosovo Minister for Communities and Returns, made the Serbian List temporarily leave the institutions of Kosovo. The List’s representatives announced yesterday after a meeting with Serbia’s Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vucic, that Jablanovic’s dismissal will be discussed in Brussels on 9 February in the meeting between the prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia. Head of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo Marko Djuric also confirmed that the further participation of the Serb representatives in Kosovo institutions will depend on these discussions. “We do not accept that Aleksandar Jablanovic is guilty of anything. We do not accept claims that Serbian List is responsible for the increased political tensions in Kosovo,” Djuric said.
Mustafa meets head of IOM in Kosovo (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, on Thursday met with the head of the International Organization on Migration (IOM) in Kosovo, Jorge Baca Vaughan. Mustafa and Vaughan discussed Kosovo’s government commitment to deal with the issue of irregular migration, the challenges, and concrete steps being taken by Kosovo institutions to prevent this phenomenon.