Kosovo government no longer wants EULEX (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that the Kosovo government has sent to the European Union a plan for the transfer of all competencies from the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) to local authorities. In the document, Kosovo’s authorities call on the EU that by mid-June all cases investigated or tried by EULEX should be transferred to the local judiciary. According to the paper, the document foresees the transfer of all sensitive cases and information, including files that were once handled by the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). The list of requests also includes the conclusion of the mandate of the three international judges serving with the Constitutional Court of Kosovo. “The successful conclusion of EULEX’s mandate requires a joint Kosovo – EU action plan. Kosovo’s authorities will not undertake any bilateral actions in this process. The transitioning of EULEX should be a joint effort implemented through coordinated actions between Kosovo and the European Union,” the document notes.

UN chief talks about dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade (Bota Sot)

In an interview for Preseva Jone news agency, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Pristina and Belgrade should do more in implementing the agreement reached in Brussels on 19 April 2013. “More work is needed to build greater trust and to encourage reconciliation,” he said. “It is important that the parties continue to show faith in dialogue … there has been progress in the implementation of the agreements reached so far. The United Nations will continue to support efforts for creating the proper conditions for taking this process forward”. Asked to comment on the situation in the northern part of Kosovo, the UN chief said differences must be resolved through dialogue. “Bearing in mind the opinions of the communities on the ground, I have said that these sensitive issues must be resolved only in peaceful fashion. Issues that are not related only to Mitrovica North, but to the whole northern part of Kosovo, constitute perhaps the most sensitive challenges that the international community is faced with in Kosovo nowadays”.  Asked about the role of UNMIK, Ban said: “During the period of the provisional administration but also after the reconfiguration process, UNMIK has created conditions for people to live normal lives and to start building a better future for themselves. However, the work of the international community, including UNMIK, is not over yet”.

EU meets separately Pristina and Belgrade delegations (RTK)

According to reports from the RTK correspondent in Brussels, Pristina and Belgrade delegations had lengthy talks while the EU facilitators had separate meetings with both sides. The talks are focusing on the visits of Serbian officials to Kosovo as well as the movement of people in and outside of Kosovo with ID cards issued by Serb parallel structures. The EU has not given any information on the progress of talks but has reiterated that all agreements need to be fully implemented.

“Haradinaj’s ambitions affected the united opposition” (Epoka e Re)

Head of the Vetevendosje parliamentary group, Glauk Konjufca told the paper that further cooperation of the opposition was prevented by the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), because of this party’s ambition to lead. He said that the coalition between the AAK and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), has already affected the cause of the united opposition. He said he wishes that this coalition is not AAK’s bargaining with the government.  He said that Vetevendosje movement would not participate at the 14 May protest. He added that the victory will be closer with alternative presented by Vetevendosje movement.

AAK and NISMA appeal to Vetevendosje to join the protest (Lajmi)

Member of the leadership of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Muharrem Nitaj and MP of the Initiative for Kosovo, (NISMA), Enver Hoti, appealed to Vetevevendosje movement to participate at the protest called by these two political parties for 14 May. Nitaj said that if Vetevendosje want the PDK-LDK coalition to leave, then they should participate at the protest. “If Vetevendosje really means it, they should participate at the next protest,” he said.

Krasniqi: Elections will be held in 2018 (Epoka e Re)

Deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), replied to the request of the opposition parties for early elections, saying that the next general elections will be held in 2018. After the meeting of the PDK leadership, Krasniqi said that there is no reason to hold early elections, being that the PDK-LDK coalition is stable and makes majority at the parliament.

Three Kosovar reporters arrested by police in Skopje, released (media)

Several media report that three reporters from Kosovo were arrested and later released by police in Skopje, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on Tuesday. Artan Haraqija, Halil Halili and Ilir Ajdini from the Pristina-based news portal Gazeta Express were arrested as they were recording in front of the Parliament in Skopje.