UNMIK Headlines 5 March
Agreement for Association, not for its competencies (dailies)
The sixth meeting between Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and Serbia’s Ivica Dacic ended without a specific agreement. Koha Ditore reports that the only thing uniting the three main characters in the dialogue is that they agreed that “progress” has been achieved but differences remain in their stances, especially on what Thaçi calls the “Association of municipalities with Serb majority”, while Dacic calls it “Community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo and Metohija”.
Other differences remaining include the “security parallel structures”, for which Thaçi says that they have a verbal agreement on how they must be abolished, despite Dacic repeatedly saying “Serbia does not have such structures in Kosovo”. Until the next meeting on 20 March, Catherine Ashton said a “little more work” should be done.
Kocijancic: Discussions at crucial stage (Zëri)
The spokesperson of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Maja Kocijancic, told Radio Free Europe that the dialogue between the Kosovo and Serbian prime ministers is in the most crucial phase, and both parties should act constructively to reach agreements. “It is clear what the next steps will be. We do not have much time and the Prime Ministers are aware,” she added.
Hoxhaj: Dialogue brings Kosovo closer to UN (Epoka e Re)
In a front-page interview, Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj said the dialogue with Serbia, new recognitions, and memberships in European and international organizations are bringing Kosovo closer to membership in the United Nations.
“We think dialogue for the normalization of relations between the Republic of Kosovo and Serbia is a process that is aiding Serbia move towards acknowledging the reality of independent Kosovo. All agreements reached in the last couple of months - inter-state legal agreements – are evidence of this. This process is without a doubt advancing Kosovo’s position toward full membership in the United Nations,” Hoxhaj is quoted as saying.
Rexhepi: MUP, BIA active in the north (Zëri)
Interior Minister of Kosovo Bajram Rexhepi said that the activity of Serb security structures in the north is well-documented. “The numbers are difficult to know but, in most cases, it is estimated that there are around 200 to 400 [members], which varies depending on the situation,” said Rexhepi, adding that members belong to the Serbian Interior Ministry (MUP). He said they had no information on the Serbian security information agency (BIA), while the Civil Defence has somewhere around 500-600 members in the north.
Daci: No alternative (Express)
Nexhat Daci, leader of the Democratic League of Dardania (LDD), believes the Kosovo negotiating team in Brussels will not make additional concessions to the ones already made in Vienna. “One doesn’t have to be an expert to see what is going in Albania, what is happening that is extremely dangerous in Macedonia, in Presevo Valley, and in Kosovo today. The latest sessions of the Kosovo Parliament do not offer hope that we have reached political and national maturity,” Daci said at the LDD chairmanship meeting, adding that there is no alternative to talks in Brussels.
Deçan residents: We will not stop protests (Kosova Sot)
Adem Lushaj, who organized protests in Deçan against the special chamber of the Supreme Court’s decision to give the Orthodox Monastery socially-owned land, expressed the protester’s concerns to Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi on how they are outraged at the indifference displayed by MPs from Deçan region on the issue. Lushaj said they expect to see Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi and present their demands to him. “If we find no support from him, we will organize daily mass protests until the problem is resolved,” said Lushaj.
Vushtrri mayor also accused of criminal activity (Koha Ditore)
Special prosecution has filed an indictment against Vushtrri Mayor Bajram Mulaku, two officials from the municipality, and two others, accused of abusing power and illegal occupation of property. The indictment was submitted to the court in Mitrovica where a EULEX prosecutor is expected to take over the case.