UNMIK Headlines 28 December
Appointment of Kosovo’s representative to Belgrade postponed (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo and Serbia will end 2012 without appointing its representatives to their respective capitals. Governments of both countries have failed to fulfill Baroness Ashton and many European diplomats' expectations, which expressed hopes that the latest achievement in the agreement between the two prime ministers would be implemented by the end of 2012.
Kosovo Foreign Affairs Minister Enver Hoxhaj told Koha Ditore that he requested to come up with three names. “Our aim is to find three serious candidates, one of which will then be appointed by the prime minister and president. Given the importance that we attribute to this selection, I have requested a review of professional abilities, political and Serbian language knowledge because we think our representative there should be a diplomat that knows the details of our relations and developments in the region,” Hoxhaj said.
Krasniqi: Kosovo, a state of extortionists (Zëri)
Parliament Speaker Jakup Krasniqi, who is also secretary general of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), said during an interview that including AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj in the government is senseless considering the numerous scandals during the governance of the AAK. Krasniqi said those who aim to take over the government are interested in extorting Kosovo.
According to Krasniqi, debates on a possible PDK-AAK coalition are aimed at distracting the public from Kosovo’s real problems and the many scandals that have marred the country.
Krasniqi criticized what he called the installment of an un-democratic spirit within the PDK. He also said including former SHIK chief Kadri Veseli in the PDK only officializes his authority within the party, even before he had great influence in selecting government officials. According to Krasniqi, Veseli cannot bring about changes in the PDK.
Separate paths (Express)
Jakup Krasniqi and Hashim Thaçi have separate paths. Krasniqi, Parliament Speaker and PDK’s secretary general, did not attend the electoral assembly and did not take part in the PDK’s steering council meeting on Thursday, where the date for the party convention was set. Krasniqi told the paper that he has very little interest in developments within the PDK.
Verbal recognition of Kosovo by Pakistan arrived (dailies)
Kosovo Foreign Affairs Minister Enver Hoxhaj received the verbal note officially recognizing the Republic of Kosovo from Pakistan on Thursday. According to the verbal note, Pakistan has decided to recognize the independent and sovereign state of Kosovo.
The Office is functioning (Epoka e Re)
The head of the Kosovo Government’s Administrative Office in northern Mitrovica, Adriana Hodzic, said that over 3000 citizens requested services since the office's establishment. According to Hodzic, over 70 per cent of them were citizens from the Serb community. “This office registered more than 40 businesses and 60 NGOs. Citizens from the Leposavic and Zubin Potok municipalities also requested help from the Administrative Office,” said Hodzic, adding that northern Kosovo needs rule of law and requests that EULEX be more active in that area of Kosovo.
Ready for IBM (Express)
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri met with EULEX representative Thomas Muehlemann on Thursday to discuss preparations for the implementation of IBM in two border points - Bërnjak and Dheu i Bardhë - beginning on 31 December 2012. Tahiri said the Kosovo Government has made all necessary preparations to continue implementing the IBM agreement.
Trajkovic: Kosovo should demilitarize (Express)
Kosovo Assembly member from the Serb community Rada Trajkovic expressed concern on the possible creation of an army of Kosovo, which would succeed the Kosovo Security Force. Trajkovic told media that the project to demilitarize Kosovo should be implemented, guaranteeing security by armies of the region states - Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, and NATO forces in Kosovo. The minister of the KSF, Agim Çeku, stated a few days ago that KSF will transform into an army, however such decisions should be confirmed by NATO.