UNMIK Headlines 7 March
KSF evolution: NATO no comment, UN recalls 1244, US supportive (Koha)
Before the mandate and the mission of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) can evolve, NATO prefers to wait for the North Atlantic Council’s re-evaluation concerning the level of its engagement in building the Kosovo Armed Forces (KAF).
Meanwhile, the UN was also informed that the KSF was transformed into the KAF, although this did not change the UN’s position. Officials of this organisation neither denied nor admitted whether the establishment of the KAF is against UN Security Council Resolution 1244. They only recalled that this Resolution remains in force. “We were informed on the Kosovo Government’s decision to transform the [KSF] into the [KAF]. We also recall that, according to Resolution 1244, in other words the mandate for a safe and secure environment in Kosovo, continues to be entrusted to KFOR,” Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General, told Koha Ditore.
The decision of the Kosovo Government to establish the KAF outraged Belgrade officials and Kosovo Serbs. The newly-elected mayor of Mitrovica North, Goran Rakic, said that the establishment of a Kosovo army is an open threat for the region and for Serbs living in Kosovo. Belgrade authorities also cannot come to terms with Kosovo having its own army. The Serbian Government’s minister without portfolio engaged with Kosovo, Aleksandar Vulin, said that the Serbian Government requested an urgent session with the UN Security Council regarding the establishment of the KAF.
So far, only the United States Embassy in Kosovo made a statement about the Kosovo Government’s decision. It welcomed the successful finalisation of the Strategic Security Sector Review of Kosovo. “With the release of this report, Kosovo has made further steps forward to undertake the planned responsibility for the security of all of its citisens, in accordance with its sovereignty. The United States believes that the review offers necessary and realistic recommendations, which can lead to the long-term development of Kosovo’s security sector.”
Minorities condition KAF creation with reserved seats (dailies)
Representatives of minority communities in Kosovo, who are members of the Government’s cabinet, said their MPs will not vote in favour of the creation of the KAF if their request for extending reserved seats is not approved. The Minister of Public Administration, Mahir Yagcilar, and the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Nenad Rasic, during the Kosovo Government meeting requested that their demands be included in the proposed constitutional changes.
Tahiri: Brussels Agreement established order in north (Epoka e Re)
Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri stated on Thursday at a meeting with EU Director for enlargement of Western Balkans Paivi Laivola de Rosier that the agreement reached in Brussels between Kosovo and Serbia created conditions for order and law to function in Kosovo, including in its northern part. “The Brussels agreement is proof of the created stability and peace, not only in Kosovo, but also in the region. It has also created conditions for the rule of law to function in the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo,” said Tahiri.
Election reform gets green light from Government (Tribuna)
The draft law on elections, which was with the Government for certain procedural issues, received the necessary approval and was sent to the Kosovo Assembly for further review. The draft law is expected to undergo its first reading at the Assembly next week. Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said the draft law is consensual while Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci noted that the law aims to regulate the election system in Kosovo, including the funding and organising of elections.
EU monitors recommend changes in elections law (Koha Ditore)
The EU Mission for the Monitoring of Elections recommended changing general elections and local elections law in order to incorporate the main aspects of the elections process that has presently been left to the Central Election Commission. On Thursday, this mission released the public findings and recommendations to improve the next election process in Kosovo, which it discussed with the Government, the CEC, political parties and representatives of civil society.
Head monitor Roberto Gualtieri, during a presentation of the final report, said that some of their recommendations could be implemented in the upcoming general elections, while others will need more time to be effective. “Despite the challenging circumstances, the first elections held across Kosovo, including the north, were conducted in a positive environment. It was encouraging to see people exercising their democratic right to vote, like in other places. However, we noticed a few issues that need to be addressed in the future,” said Gualtieri during a press conference in Pristina.
Presevo Valley sends report to UN (Epoka e Re)
The United Nations received a report from Presevo about human rights discrimination, specifically of ethnic Albanians in Medvegjë, Bujanovc and Preshevë. The news was reported by Presheva e jonë and referred to a UN official. This report was presented to the UN on the first week works began at the 25th session on Human Rights. The report describes Serbia’s discriminating policy towards citisens of Presevo Valley and was sent by the Albanian National Council and signed by its leader, Galip Beqiri. The report initially stresses that “recent relations between Kosovo and Serbia have worsened the political and social crisis in Presevo Valley”.