UNMIK Headlines 9 July
Blomeyer: Dialogue with Serbia a criterion for EU membership (Koha)
In a front-page interview, outgoing German Ambassador Peter Blomeyer is quoted as saying that Germany considers dialogue with Serbia to be a criterion for Kosovo’s integration into the European Union. He added that Kosovo has already been given concrete tasks, such as the signing of the judicial agreement on the north, the establishment of the association of Serb majority municipalities, and the dissolution of the civil protection in the north. Commenting on the possible suspension of dialogue, Blomeyer said this would bring into question Kosovo’s European prospects. Blomeyer also said that, before becoming an EU member state, Serbia would have to accept a legally-binding agreement on the full normalization of relations with Kosovo. The German ambassador highlighted reducing the unemployment level and stepping up the fight against corruption among challenges awaiting Kosovo in the future.
Jahjaga condemns burning of FYROM flag in Pristina (Bota Sot)
Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga condemned on Tuesday the burning of the flag of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia during a protest organized last night in Pristina and said the act was unacceptable. Jahjaga stressed that “while the right to protest is guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of Kosovo, ugly acts which induce hatred are in complete contradiction with the values and ideals embraced by Kosovo as a democratic society”. Jahjaga called on law enforcement authorities to apprehend the perpetrators.
Gashi brings together Bahtiri and Rakic (Tribuna)
Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Dardan Gashi received Mitrovica Mayor Agim Bahtiri and Mitrovica North Mayor Goran Rakic, along with officials from the US Embassy in Pristina and the European Union. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the safe return of citizens in both parts of the city, talk about the construction and reconstruction process, and emphasize that the construction ban remains in force both north and south of the River Iber/Ibar. In the meeting, Minister Gashi expressed the commitment of the Kosovo government to help normalize interethnic relations in the north by investing in these two municipalities.
Kurti invites Thaçi to a TV debate (dailies)
Albin Kurti, leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, invited outgoing Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi to take part in a television debate. Kurti’s invitation came after Thaci claimed that Vetevendosje had abandoned its principles and ideals. “The outgoing Prime Minister is concerned about the ideals and principles of the Vetevendosje Movement, and he also mentioned national unification. I publicly invite Hashim Thaçi to a live TV debate where we would have the opportunity to discuss principles, the idea of national unification, the suspension of dialogue with Serbia, and other political, social and economic issues,” Kurti said.
Zbogar unable to guarantee if excavations will resume in Rudnica (Tribuna)
Concerned by the decision of Serbian authorities to stop excavations in the suspected mass grave site of Rudnica, families of missing persons had a meeting yesterday with EU Special Representative Samuel Zbogar. The families demanded the resumption of work at the site and added that the request of the Serbian side for more funds to continue the work is very offensive. Zbogar assured the families that he would transmit their concerns to the EU and representatives of the Serbian Government, and that he would keep them informed of the future course of events.
Hoxhaj in Strasbourg, discusses Kosovo’s membership in CoE (dailies)
Enver Hoxhaj, the outgoing Foreign Minister of Kosovo, is visiting Strasbourg to meet senior officials of the Council of Europe (CoE) and the Venice Commission. On Tuesday, he met with Thorbjorn Jagland, General Secretary of the CoE, to discuss Kosovo’s membership in that body and express appreciation for Kosovo’s inclusion in the Venice Commission. This is the second time Hoxhaj is meeting with Jagland this year, in efforts to move forward Kosovo’s membership in the CoE.