UNMIK Headlines 21 September
Dacic considers Kosovo “a special territory" (Koha Ditore)
Serbia’s Prime Minister, Ivica Dacic, stated that Kosovo is a special territory, but not an independent country. He said that only the exchange of territories would ensure sustainable peace in the region. “We accept that Kosovo is a special territory but not that it is an independent state,” he said in an interview for Podgorocia broadcaster “Atlas” during his visit to Montenegro. He added that Serbia wants to participate in regulating life in “that special territory.” Dacic said that his formulation, “Thaçi’s Serbs,” concerns those Serbs who are in the Government of Kosovo, and do nothing to defend Serbs’ interests. He also stated that Serbia and Kosovo are not enemies. “I am not Thaçi’s enemy. He is only my opponent,” said Dacic. He stated that the current status of Kosovo is a “temporary solution.”
Germany: Kosovo continues to remain condition for Serbia (Koha Ditore)
The complete implementation of the Brussels agreement, which will be until 20 December of this year, is Germany’s condition to start discussions on Serbia’s membership in the EU. This was reported by Serbian media following yesterday’s visit by the special envoy for Balkan issues at Germany’s Foreign Ministry in Belgrade, Ernst Reichel, who was the German Ambassador in Pristina. During an informal conversation with some Serb journalists, he reiterated that the issue of Kosovo and the normalization of the relations between Pristina and Belgrade is the main condition. From the discussions with Serb officials, he was convinced that they are ready to implement the entire Brussels agreement. “It is not good for the issues to be resolved at the last moment, because delay can endanger the entire process,” he assessed.
Thaçi traveled to New York (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi traveled to New York to participate in the start of the autumn session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, informed the Office of the Prime Minister. During his visit to New York, Prime Minister Thaçi will meet with statesmen and diplomats from different countries.
Borchardt foresees a long process against Drenica group (Tribuna)
EULEX head Bernd Borchardt said in an interview for Deutche Welle that he foresees a long-trial process for the Drenica Group, which are accused of war crimes. He mentioned that the fist phase of the process might conclude by mid 2014. He said that, at this phase, it is more about speculation, but he expects the first decision by mid-June and added that it is too early to speak about the second phase. Kosovo institutions are requesting that EULEX end its mandate in 2014, however Borchardt stated that, by that time, only some of the competencies would be handed over to them.
Kuçi: Thaçi does not resign (Zeri)
Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi stated that since the governing coalition did not manage to have the required quorum at the Assembly of Kosovo to vote on selling off 75 percent of Poste Telekom actions, it does not mean that the Government of Kosovo is weak and that it lacks votes to pass a document or a legislative law. In an interview for this daily, Kuçi denied the possibility of Prime Minister Thaçi’s resignation due to the created situation. “Privatisation is not an issue that belongs to a government or a prime minister. Of course, there are people within the coalition that think differently. This is not a challenge for the Government, and even less for the Prime Minister. It is completely normal for people to have different perceptions, be them philosophical or personal,” said Kuçi.