UNMIK Headlines 8 February
Kosovo footnote sneaks its way into European Parliament (Koha Ditore)
Foreign Policy Committee of the European Parliament endorsed draft resolution for Kosovo calls on five EU member states to recognize Kosovo. However, certain MEPs from countries that have not recognized Kosovo’s independence included an amendment in the document claiming that the use of the name Kosovo bears no prejudice on its status. This amendment was passed by a narrow majority and expects to drop the wording when the European Parliament votes on the resolution in March.
North resolved soon? (Express)
The European Union aims to resolve problems between Kosovo and Serbia by March of this year. Despite the statements of President Atifete Jahjaga and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi that the north will not be discussed with Serbia, the EU decided to accelerate the process for a solution for this part of the country. In fact, Baroness Ashton intends to convince the leaders of Kosovo andSerbiato agree on the solution of “The Issue of the North.” Sources claimed that the plan enabling membership of the three municipalities in European mechanisms, which concern local and regional governing, remains on Ashton’s table.
KIPRED analyst Ilir Deda sees these and Jahjaga’s meeting with Nikolic as opening the issue of the north. He says that the problem of how Kosovo leaders will explain to their citizens that the north will be discussed anyways remains.
Jahjaga fell into Government’s trap (Zëri)
Two leading opposition parties, LDK and Vetëvendosje, consider that the meeting between Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga and Serbia’s Tomislav Nikolic is damaging for Kosovo. Civil society representatives say Jahjaga did not manage to give conditions to Serbia regarding damages it has caused Kosovo. On the other hand, analysts believe Jahjaga demonstrated in the meeting that she has ultimately fallen prey to the Kosovo Government’s agenda.
US requests joint Kosovo-Serbia plan for north (Koha Ditore)
US Ambassador to OSCE Ian Kelly said that the United States are urging Kosovo and Serbia to come up with a joint plan for the north that would also address the issue of disbanding parallel structures. “We welcome the efforts of the two governments to implement an agreement on Integrated Border Management and appoint liaison officers to work toward improvement of communication between Kosovo and Serbia. The two sides now have to work constructively to formulate a plan for northern Kosovo,” said Kelly.
Tahiri: Parallel structures, obstacle for IBM (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri said that Integrated Border Management agreement cannot be fully implemented until Serbia’s parallel structures in northern Kosovo are disbanded. Tahiri made the comments during the technical dialogue between Kosovo and Serbian teams.
Serwer: The meeting of equals (Express)
Daniel Serwer, an expert for Balkan issues, says that the meeting between Kosovo President Atifete Jahjga and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic was symbolic but also important. “The fact that Serbia meets with Kosovo on an equal basis, in a completely reciprocal and symmetric manner, is very important,” Serwer added that there are elements that are against discussions in both sides, however things between Pristina and Belgrade are improving more than any observer could predict. Speaking about northern Kosovo, Serwer said that Ahtisaari’s Plan should be totally implemented there.
Çeku: New army called Defence Forces of Republic of Kosovo (Zëri)
Kosovo Security Force Minister Agim Çeku expects Kosovo to get its own armed forces in 2013 and that this is being jointly carried out with NATO member states. He said Kosovo’s army would only reinstate the good neighbourhood concept. “It will most definitely be a discouraging element for Serbia if it has territorial claims over Kosovo,” said Çeku. He added that the new army will be called Defence Forces of Republic of Kosovo.
Citizens in Pristina protest against KEK (dailies)
Hundreds of citizens are reported to have taken part in a protest yesterday in front of the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) demanding explanations from KEK officials as to why electricity bills have almost doubled in the last month. Organizers said the protest will continue until all disputed bills are reviewed.