UNMIK Headlines 9 May
- U.S. calls on Kosovo Assembly to ratify border agreement (Zeri/RTK)
- Today is LDK’s exam in front of Delawie (RTK)
- Next 48 hours, decisive for PDK’s positions (Epoka e Re)
- Apostolova: No guarantees for visa liberalisation (Zeri/Klan Kosova)
- Haradinaj: Kosovo still has unfinished duties (Koha Ditore)
- “Peoples’ eye” warns against ratification of border demarcation (Epoka)
Kosovo Media Highlights
U.S. calls on Kosovo Assembly to ratify border agreement (Zeri/RTK)
The paper reports on the front page that the U.S. Embassy has given an “ultimatum” to Kosovo institutions to ratify the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro without delays. In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said after considerable review carried out by experts, “the border demarcation line established by the agreement is correctly drawn.” “The time has come to put an end to the arguments and disagreements that are only hurting Kosovo, damaging Kosovo’s credibility abroad, and hindering the ability of citizens of Kosovo to travel freely. This agreement is a good, proper and fair demarcation between two very friendly neighboring countries,” the statement reads. RTK reports that both the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) hailed the U.S. Embassy statement.
Today is LDK’s exam in front of Delawie (RTK)
U.S. Ambassador Greg Delawie will meet today together with Prime Minister Isa Mustafa all MPs from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) at LDK’s Parliamentary Group office. The meeting, which will begin at 11:00 hours, is considered to be the last hope for passing the demarcation and for the survival of Mustafa’s government over the no-confidence motion and partnership with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). PM Mustafa, also leader of the LDK, said on Monday that demarcation will proceed for ratification by the Assembly after Wednesday, the day when the Assembly of Kosovo would vote for opposition parties’ motion of no-confidence.
Next 48 hours, decisive for PDK’s positions (Epoka e Re)
Deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Foreign Minister of Kosovo, Enver Hoxhaj, told the paper that members of the governing cabinet as well as leadership of his party are under pressure from PDK’s membership to move forward with new dynamics. Hoxhaj said his party has not decided yet on whether to vote for the motion of no-confidence. Hoxhaj said that the next 48 hours will be a determinant factor with regards to PDK’s position on the motion and other matters, not excluding early elections. Hoxhaj said that PDK MPs would vote pro agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro. Hoxhaj, just PDK leader Kadri Veseli, said that the coalition partner lacks decision making, adding that work of a government is measured based on fulfillment of major objectives not daily work.
Apostolova: No guarantees for visa liberalisation (Zeri/Klan Kosova)
Head of EU Office in Kosovo and Special Representative, Nataliya Apostolova, said ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro is in the interest of Kosovo, but underlined that this would not guarantee the lifting of the visa regime. “There is no specific or definite timeline for visa liberalisation. We will propose to the council of member states but no one can determine the timeline for visa liberalisation,” Apostolova said in an interview to Klan Kosova. She said it is premature to declare that the border demarcation agreement has failed as there is still time for the draft law to reach the Assembly.
Haradinaj: Kosovo still has unfinished duties (Koha Ditore)
Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, said on the 17th anniversary of his party that many things have remained unfinished in Kosovo and even progress made so far has been put into question by the two ruling parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). Haradinaj even said that the situation in Kosovo at present is worse than during the UNMIK administration. “Kosovo is today more corrupt than in UNMIK’s time. Serbia is more present in Kosovo than in UNMIK’s time,” Haradinaj remarked. He said the only way out of this situation is to head to elections.
“Peoples’ eye” warns against ratification of border demarcation (Epoka)
The self-styled organization “Syri i popullit” (Peoples’ eye), which a few months ago claimed responsibility for wounding lawyer Azem Vllasi, threatened through a press release that they have mobilized guerilla cells in Albanian territories against the ratification of the border demarcation agreement. “Our units are ready and they are in every place of Albanian land. Based on the situation in Kosovo, we appeal to the quisling government and chief quisling Isa Mustafa and French recruited spy Kadri Veseli not to bring decisions and give away Albanian lands to neighboring predators,” the communique writes.