UNMIK Headlines 9 January
Economic offer instead of platform for the north (Koha Ditore)
In a front-page report, Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi will present an economic offer for the citizens of the northern part of Kosovo in his upcoming meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic. The offer, which foresees the establishment of a fund for the north in exchange for ending the funding for structures in the north by Serbia, was presented several months ago to Western diplomats. The offer was also presented to the office of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton.
The economic offer was drafted in coordination with the Ministry for European Integration, and requested in the 2011 European Commission Progress Report.
Kuçi: Kosovo’s plan for the north is its Constitution (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi denied on Monday that the Kosovo Government has a special platform for solving the problem of the north. Commenting on media reports that the government is drafting a proposal document for the north to be tabled at the 17 January meeting, Kuçi indicated that everything that will be presented lies in the frameworks of the Constitution of Kosovo and the Ahtisaari Package, for which he said was Kosovo’s biggest compromise.
EU keeps silent, the north at risk! (Zëri)
The opposition is calling on Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi to abandon talks with Serbia the moment that the Serbian platform on Kosovo, which calls for autonomy for Kosovo among other things, is put on the table. Opposition representatives say if Pristina admits to talks about the Serbian platform it will have to accept something from it as a rule of any negotiations process.
Ashton does not have a plan for the north (Zëri)
“European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton does not have a plan for resolving the problem of northern Kosovo, but her mediation is based on the conclusions of the European Council,” Ashton’s spokesperson told Belgrade-based Tanjug news agency. “One can say that the conclusions of the European Council are our plan for the north.”
Serbian Parliament expected to adopt a resolution on Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and senior members of the Serbian Government could not meet Tuesday to discuss the platform on Kosovo due to the absence of some members of the government who were not in the country. According to Tanjug news agency, the officials already received copies of the draft resolution prepared by the office of President Nikolic. Serbian media report that it is not known if the final resolution will be based on the text of the platform or if the term ‘platform’ will be avoided.
Haradinaj: I will be leading the government soon (dailies)
Former Kosovo Prime Minister and AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj told AAK supporters in Malisheva that he is expected to lead the central government soon. “I am trying to take over the leadership of the government. This is expected to happen soon. If this happens and I am confident it will, we will resume the work we have started and we will work for the good of the people,” Haradinaj said. He added that, once at the helm of the government, he could “start speaking with deeds, and if not, we will respect all developments in institutions and wait for the new regular elections.”
Officers are a good thing (Express)
The appointment of liaison officers in Pristina and Belgrade is being viewed as an opportunity for improving relations between them. Meanwhile, Belgrade’s candidate for the post in Pristina, Oliver Ivanovic, said that results will be achieved through contacts on the ground.
Though he preferred not to comment on the possibility of him being appointed to the post of liaison officer, Ivanovic did say that the officers could help a great deal in improving the situation on the ground. “I hope the liaison officers will have more space and more frequent contacts so that the situation is somewhat improved. Liaison officers can improve Pristina-Belgrade relations,” Ivanovic said.
EU calls against unnecessary tensions in Presevo Valley (dailies)
The European Union is closely following the situation in Presevo Valley where debates continue over the monument dedicated to the martyrs of the former UCPMB. The EU also made it clear that it consider this case “an internal issue of Serbia”.
“We expect Serbian authorities, from the central and local level, to address this issue in accordance with Serbian laws and in a fashion that does not provoke new and unnecessary tension,” said Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton.
KLA war veterans express solidarity with Albanians in Presevo (Kosova Sot)
Representatives of the KLA war veterans’ associations announced that they will not remain idle if faced with violent action that the Serbian government may undertake for removing a monument dedicated to the UÇPMB fallen heroes in Presevo. Head of the KLA war veterans Muharrem Xhemajli said they stand by in support of Albanians in Presevo Valley.
Rexhepi: Police respected law during arrest of nine Serbs (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo’s Interior Affairs Minister Bajram Rexhepi justified the police action on Monday that resulted in the arrest of nine Serbs in the municipality of Gracanica, after the liturgy of Orthodox Christmas. The celebration was attended by the director of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo, Aleksandar Vulin. “Kosovo police acted in accordance with the law and implemented the law with regards to the case of the arrest of these citizens,” Rexhepi said.