Headlines - 24.11.2017

• Ruling coalition MPs walk out of Assembly session because of EULEX (media)
• Trendafilova: There are still no indictments raised by Special Court (media)
• Tahiri requests fair and transparent process from Special Court (Epoka)
• Thaci: Kosovo’s future is in NATO and EU (Zeri)
• PM Haradinaj calls for resolution of politically-motivated murders (media)
• ECAP decides on vote recount in Pristina and Prizren (Koha)
• Vetevendosje to address Supreme Court on vote recount today (RTK)
• Kosovo to chair CEFTA in 2018 (Telegrafi)

Ruling coalition MPs walk out of Assembly session because of EULEX (media)

All media report that ruling coalition MPs walked out of the Kosovo Assembly session on Thursday in sign of revolt over what they called discriminatory approach by EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) officials against former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). PDK MP Memli Krasniqi called on all MPs to walk out of the session citing media reports about the EU mission’s discriminatory approach against former KLA members. On the other hand, Vetevendosje parliamentary group chief, Glauk Konjufca, said that the decision of ruling coalition MPs is in fact related to the special court. “When Vetevendosje talked about EULEX and called on the PDK to oppose this mission, they ordered the police to drag us and send us to jail. Now they are calling on us to join their opposition to EULEX and the Special Court … Now that they see the impending storm from the special court, they are ready to set all of Kosovo on fire but we don’t want to join them,” Konjufca said.

Trandafilova: There are still no indictments raised by Special Court (media)

The President of the Specialist Chambers, Ekaterina Trendafilova, pledged during her first visit to Kosovo that this Court will be unbiased and independent, Epoka e Re reports on the front page. During her address to representatives of civil society, Trendafilova said that there is yet no indictment against former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). She further gave details with regards to the functioning of this court and explained that the reason of her visit is to build trust in the court’s work. Zeri and Kosova Sot quoted Trendafilova as saying that the special court will not try organizations but individuals. Koha Ditore reports on its front page that Trendafilova has avoided meetings with senior institutional leaders.

Tahiri requests fair and transparent process from Special Court (Epoka)

Kosovo’s Minister of Justice Abelard Tahiri, met on Thursday the President of the Specialist Chambers for Kosovo Ekaterina Trendafilova as well as the Administrator of the Specialist Chambers, Fidelma Donlon. They discussed the mandate of these Chambers and cooperation of Kosovo’s respective institutions. Tahiri requested a fair and transparent process in accordance with the highest norms and standards of human rights. He also informed about the steps that the Kosovo government has undertaken for judicial and technical assistance of all Kosovo people. Tahiri expressed readiness of Kosovo institutions to fulfill obligations deriving from the Law for Specialist Chambers and for the Office of the Specialist Prosecution, endorsed by the Assembly of Kosovo.

Thaci: Kosovo’s future is in NATO and EU (Zeri)

Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, said on Thursday that “Russia is aggressively opposing Kosovo’s statehood” and that the region’s speedy integration in NATO and the European Union would be the best way to stop anti-Western ideologies in the Western Balkans. Thaci, who is visiting Canada, also said that there should be greater support and coordination with Kosovo’s allies. “We need to cooperate in lobbying for new recognitions and memberships in international organizations,” he added.

PM Haradinaj calls for resolution of politically-motivated murders (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, sent a letter to State Chief Prosecutor Aleksander Lumezi on Thursday calling on him to engage all mechanisms for resolving politically-motivated murders during and after the war in Kosovo. “We are fully aware that the resolution of these criminal acts will help our society and at the same time will serve justice,” Haradinaj wrote.

ECAP decides on vote recount in Pristina and Prizren (Koha)

The Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) has ordered the Central Elections Commission (CEC) to recount the total number of votes in Pristina and Prizren, endorsing in this manner the complaints of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). The decision was objected by the Vetevendosje Movement which claims victory in these two municipalities. They consider the decision to be political. Meanwhile the coalition of NGOs “Democracy in Action” said on Thursday that the vote recount could harm the integrity of the election process.

Vetevendosje to address Supreme Court on vote recount today (RTK)

Vetevendosje Movement candidate for mayor of Pristina, Shpend Ahmeti informed that he will address today the Supreme Court with regards to the decision of the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) and the Central Election Commission (CEC) to recount votes in Pristina. He said that he will submit his appeal at 10:00 hours while the court was given a 72 hour deadline to respond. He also informed that he has sent a letter to the CEC requesting to initially count the conditional votes and those of the individuals with disabilities.

Kosovo to chair CEFTA in 2018 (Telegrafi)

Kosovo’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Bajram Hasani, attended the meeting of Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFA) ministers in Belgrade on Thursday. Hasani said that Kosovo’s chairmanship of CEFTA in 2018 has special importance and will have a direct impact on the implementation of measures as part of the regional economic zone. Hasani also commented on his recent statements about Kosovo’s position in CEFTA and the role of UNMIK. “The Government of the Republic of Kosovo is committed to the bilateral agreement between Kosovo and Serbia in 2012 about Kosovo’s representation in regional forums. There are however difficulties for regional representation, especially for Kosovo, as the right denomination is not used in CEFTA because of Serbia’s insistence on UNMIK,” he said.