UNMIK Headlines 7 February
- Mogherini: Encouraging developments in Mitrovica (Zeri)
- U.S. Embassy hails agreement on Mitrovica wall (dailies)
- Koha Ditore: Northerners to build remote controlled wall
- Shala: There will be no wall in Mitrovica North (RTK)
- Fire engulfs DSS offices in Mitrovica north (Kosovapress)
- Kosovo has not issued any arrest warrants for war crime suspects (Indeksonline)
- Kosovo Assembly to discuss armed forces (Zeri)
Kosovo Media Highlights
Mogherini: Encouraging developments in Mitrovica (Zeri)
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, said that there have been “encouraging” developments in Mitrovica recently. Mogherini said that she would brief EU foreign ministers on the progress of the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue over the last weeks, as well as on developments in Mitrovica.
U.S. Embassy hails agreement on Mitrovica wall (dailies)
The U.S. Embassy in Pristina has hailed the agreement on the Mitrovica wall between the Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Ferat Shala and the Mitrovica North Mayor Goran Rakic. “The agreement reached will result in the construction of a beautiful pedestrian area that fulfills the 2015 agreement on freedom of movement for all of Kosovo’s people. Much can be accomplished when all sides come together to work for the common good,” the statement reads.
Koha Ditore: Northerners to build remote controlled wall
The Government of Kosovo has not made public the amended plan for the construction of the new Mitrovica square, but three drawings that the paper claims to have secured show that a new 70cm-concrete construction will be placed along the space occupied by the wall recently demolished by the Mitrovica North leadership. According to the drawings, metal posts will be placed over this concrete construction which would be remote controlled by Mitrovica North officials as to when they would be raised or lowered. Mitrovica North Mayor Goran Rakic said such an arrangement would ensure that King Peter Street remained pedestrianized and would only open to vehicles in case of emergency.
Shala: There will be no wall in Mitrovica North (RTK)
Kosovo’s Minister for Environment and Spatial Planning, Ferat Shala, said that a lane for bikes will be put up alongside the now-demolished wall in Mitrovica North as well as a pedestrian zone. Furthermore, Shala said there will also be 40-70cm high concrete containers for plants and that the entire project will be supervised by the government of Kosovo.
Fire engulfs DSS offices in Mitrovica north (Kosovapress)
The offices of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) in the northern part of Mitrovica have been engulfed in a fire that began at around 3 a.m. According to reports, apart from material damage, no one was injured in the fire.
Kosovo has not issued any arrest warrants for war crime suspects (Indeksonline)
Although not a member of Interpol, Kosovo has the right to issue, through UNMIK, arrest warrants for members of the Serbian forces suspected of perpetrating war crimes, writes the news website. However, Interpol said it possesses no such requests from Kosovo institutions. At the same time, UNMIK Spokesperson, Sanam Dolatshahi, suggested the Kosovo’s Ministry of Justice should be approached for more information but officials there made no comment.
Kosovo Assembly to discuss armed forces (Zeri)
In a session scheduled for Thursday, the Kosovo Assembly is expected to discuss the issue of armed forces on the request of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) MP, Daut Haradinaj. Assembly President Kadri Veseli said the creation of a Kosovo army is a reality. “A Kosovo Army will be formed very soon, but it is important this decision is taken together with the international community,” Veseli said.