Headlines - 17.12.2014

EU body supports signing of agreement with Kosovo (Epoka e Re)

The General Affairs Council of the Council of the European Union appealed to the European Commission to present as soon as possible the proposal for signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Kosovo. The government of Kosovo welcomed the appeal, stressing that this reconfirmed the EU’s readiness for a first contractual agreement with Kosovo. It also said it was encouraged by progress on visa liberalization. Kosovo authorities also said they would work to reduce illegal immigration into the EU and highlighted the importance of regional cooperation on this matter.

Jahjaga assures Mogherini that Kosovo will meet its obligations (Tribuna)

The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, had a telephone conversation yesterday with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Jahjaga said that Kosovo institutions are committed to fulfilling their obligations related to the fight against organized crime and corruption, formation of the special court, continuation of the dialogue with Belgrade, and other reforms, as part of Kosovo’s European agenda.

Mustafa: SHIK is not my business (Zeri)

In an interview for the paper, Isa Mustafa, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, said he has no intention to deal with allegations against the former Kosovo Intelligence Service (SHIK) and that this is a matter for the judiciary. Mustafa said the special court is the best option to address post-war killings in Kosovo. Mustafa added that the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities will be established but will not have executive powers. Regarding conditions presented by the Serbian List, Mustafa said he can only speak about community rights contained in the Ahtisaari Package and Constitution of Kosovo. Mustafa also said that he will meet his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic, early next year.

HRW calls on Kosovo to establish special court soon (Koha)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday that Kosovo’s newly formed Parliament should promptly enact the legislative and constitutional changes required for the creation of the special court on war crimes allegations. “Making the special court operational should be a key priority for Kosovo’s new Parliament,” said Lotte Leicht, European Union director at Human Rights Watch. “Only an independent and credible special court with effective witness protection can address the serious allegations of the horrible post-conflict crimes … All eyes are on Kosovo’s new leaders to see that they fulfill their pledges and see justice through without further delay. It’s high time to break with cycles of impunity and lay down a future for Kosovo based on justice for serious crimes,” Leicht said.

EU representatives in Kosovo discuss illegal immigration (Zeri)

Representatives of the European Union in Pristina called on the people of Kosovo on Tuesday not to flee Kosovo because they will not be granted asylum in EU member states. The EU Office and representatives of member states met on Tuesday to discuss the rising number of residents leaving Kosovo. Thomas Gnocchi, the Acting Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, said that the EU’s asylum system exists for people who flee persecution or serious harm in their respective countries and are in need of international protection. Gnocchi said that, in Kosovo’s case, there is little chance that asylum applications will be accepted. “Every decision on whether or not to grant asylum is individual, but it should be noted that most asylum applications from Kosovo are rejected and people are then repatriated,” he added.

Unions warn of anti-government strikes (Koha)

In a front-page story, the paper reports that trade unions representing public servants in education, healthcare, administration and police, said they are outraged by Prime Minister Isa Mustafa’s statement that there will be no salary raises contrary to promises made by former Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. The unions have signed a cooperation agreement opposing the adoption of a budget that does not include salary raises.

63% of people don’t trust the government (Epoka e Re)

The Pristina-based Kosovar Center for Security Studies published on Tuesday the fourth edition of the Kosovo Barometer Center, which showed a low level of trust by the people of Kosovo in the government, judiciary and law enforcement agencies. The poll shows that 63 percent of the population does not trust the work of the government, 52.6% do not trust the State Prosecution, and 50.9% do not trust the judicial system. Nearly 42% of the population does not trust the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX). The poll also shows that the Kosovo Security Force enjoys the highest level of trust, at 65.8%.

Deputy Ministers to be appointed this week (Zeri)

According to the paper, Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa is expected to appoint around 70 Deputy Ministers of his government this week. The paper also notes that this will be the biggest government in Europe, considering the number of residents in Kosovo.

Independent institutions suffering from deadlock (Koha)

The paper reports on the front page that the Constitutional Court has officially requested that the new leadership of Parliament elect the Court’s ninth judge. MPs have not fulfilled this task for over two years now. The paper also notes that there are institutions, such as the Office of the Auditor General and the Privatization Agency of Kosovo, that are paralyzed because they do not have new management boards. Kadri Veseli, the Speaker of Parliament, said Parliament would carry out its duties and promised transparency in the election of members of key institutions.

UNMIK donates medical equipment to Clinical Centre (Tribuna)

The Kosovo Clinical and University Centre (KCUC) received a donation of medical equipment from UNMIK worth 200,000 euros. The donation was presented by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Jennifer Brush, who said that it is a pleasure to support Kosovo’s healthcare system. She added that there has been significant progress in Kosovo. Curr Gjocaj from the KCUC said the equipment will enable the medical staff to be more effective and make their work easier.