UNMIK Headlines 3 May
Recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo on Wednesday (Koha)
The paper reports on its front page that the European Commission is expected to announce on Wednesday the proposal for visa liberalization for Kosovo. Diplomatic sources in Brussels told the paper that the recommendation for visa liberalization for Kosovo is imminent. “Chances are very high that this could happen on Wednesday, when the Commission is also expected to make a proposal for Turkey,” the sources said. Unnamed EU officials also told the paper that politicians and the media in Kosovo should not manipulate the public opinion at this final stage of the visa liberalization process. “For several years now, we are used to manipulation by your politicians who mention unrealistic timelines and then this results in the disappointment of the people. It is surprising that they cannot wait just a little longer and refrain from making another manipulation at the end of the process. The issue of visa liberalization is certainly not a matter of hours, but months rather, or in the best-case scenario, weeks. I don’t know in whose interest it is to manipulate the public opinion, by mixing the eventual recommendation for visa liberalization with the actual visa liberalization, and these are two separate issues,” a senior EU diplomat told the paper.
Thaci, Collaku say visa liberalization a done deal (Koha)
Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci and the Minister for European Integration, Bekim Collaku, say that visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens is a done deal, the paper reports on page three. Thaci said on Monday that visa liberalization for Kosovo is no longer a matter of weeks, but rather a matter of hours. Collaku said this will be a historic week for Kosovo. He also added that if the European Commission announces its recommendation on Wednesday then Kosovo’s citizens will be able to move freely in the EU starting either in July or October this year.
Thaci: Serbia’s crimes will be resolved (Zeri)
The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, participated at the marking of the 17 anniversary of the massacre in Studime, Vushtrri/Vucitrn, where he promised that the institutions of Kosovo will not stop until all the crimes committed by Serbia are resolved. He added that massacres committed by Serbian army, police and paramilitaries, are the best evidence of the price paid for the freedom.
Selimi: Serbian arrest warrants should be discussed in Brussels (Kosova Sot)
Kosovo’s Acting Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi said on Monday that Serbian arrest warrants against Kosovo’s citizens are a political and not a legal matter. Selimi said there are arrest warrants not only against former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army but also against people who held senior state positions. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers that such actions by Serbia are unacceptable and that they should be addressed in Brussels as part of the dialogue for normalization of relations,” Selimi said.
EULEX: Justice institutions politically influenced (Epoka e Re/Zeri)
The European Union’s Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), does not trust the justice system in Kosovo. This international institution has accused openly the political specter in Kosovo for interference on the major judicial cases. Lack of the readiness of the prosecutors and judges to face major cases, where high profile officials are involved, made EULEX take over these cases. The mandate of this mission ends in June, however this mission openly claims that they do not trust their local colleagues, due to the interference of politics in justice. “It is clear that the environment in Kosovo has not reached that level where judiciary can commence its duties in a consequent manner without being interrupted by external forces, but Kosovo institutions have shown readiness several times, in several cases. Difficulties remain in relation with capacity, consistence and independence,” is written in a response of EULEX to Zeri.
Census in the north to begin on October 1 (Koha)
In one of its front-page stories, the paper reports that the Kosovo government has expressed readiness to conduct the census of the population and households in the four Serb-inhabited municipalities in the northern part of the country. The paper notes that the process will be implemented based on a special law. Following a request by the European Union, the government adopted on Friday the draft law for the census of the population, households and apartments in the municipalities of Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Mitrovica North.
400 Albanian flats occupied in the north (Epoka e Re)
Three years after the agreement in Brussels between the Prime Ministers Thaci and Dacic, for normalization of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia, nothing has changed for Albanians of the northern part of Mitrovica. They cannot rebuild or return to their homes, which were usurped, they cannot move freely in the streets of the northern part, not even at their own neighborhoods. The agreement for the restructuring of the main Iber River Bridge which was planned to be released for movement this June, is not implemented. The bridge and the barricade in form of a park, are surrounded by aluminum plates set by the EU Office in Pristina. The northern municipality officials deriving from the last elections did not show any interest to help Albanians from this side, in the contrary, it blocked any attempt or activity initiated by Albanians there.
Kosovo, unsafe country for the media (Koha)
According to statistics of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AGK), the World Freedom Press Day (May 3) finds Kosovo with an increased number of threats against reporters. Based on the latest report of the Freedom House, the data of the AGK and experts in the field, Kosovo is still an unsafe country for the operation of the media. AGK chairman Zekirja Shabani told the paper that based on threats, attacks and other obstacles reported by the journalists and based on international reports on the freedom of the media, doing journalism in Kosovo is becoming increasingly difficult. Shabani further argued that due to lack of implementation of the law, people who are not satisfied with the work of the journalists “are taking matters into their own hands”.