The government of Kosovo has approved the draft law for ratification of the international agreement between Kosovo and the European Union, with regards to the extension of the mandate of the EU mission for the rule of law in Kosovo (EULEX), until 15 June 2018.
The Government of Kosovo is expected to hold another meeting tonight at 18:00 hours, in order to precede the agreement for extension of EULEX’s mandate at the Assembly. It remains for the MPs to say their final word during the Thursday’s session. Extension of EULEX’s mandate is expected to be discussed and voted at the Assembly of Kosovo during the session called by the Assembly Presidency for Thursday. Gazeta Express sources said that Assembly Presidency will not need to hold a special meeting or hold a separate session for EULEX.
Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said in the meeting of the government that agreement with EULEX on extending the mission’s mandate has been reached. “We expect today confirmation from Brussels, namely the letter exchange. Once we receive it, we will hold a meeting in the afternoon to approve the law through regular procedure and submit it to the Assembly tomorrow”, Mustafa said.
Vetëvendosje Movement issued a press release following the decision of the government of Kosovo to extend the mandate of the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) until 2018 saying that the move renounces justice. “EULEX’s lifespan cannot be extended as its presence serves no gain”, said Vetëvendosje. It added that EULEX was installed in Kosovo under the promise that it would fight crime and corruption and strengthen the local rule of law system. “None of these two promises came true because the real goal of EULEX was never justice in Kosovo.
The government of Kosovo has approved the draft law for ratification of agreement on establishing a Western Balkans Fund. Apart from Kosovo, other signatory parties to the agreement include Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj said the fund will support projects in the field of education and culture. “The creation of this Balkans fund is aimed at promoting culture in the region and deepen relations with neighbouring countries,” said Hoxhaj.
The front page editorial of the paper notes that return of the biggest opposition party at the Assembly is a warning for return of the tensioned sessions and deepening of political crisis. Vetevendosje movement has ended its boycott of the Parliament, on the verge of the ratification of the agreement for demarcation of the border with Montenegro and re-actualization of the Association/Community of the Serb-majority Municipalities.
Kosovo’s European Integration Minister, Bekim Collaku, announced that the government today adopted the proposal for Open Data Charter that will enable the individuals, media, civil society, and businesses access to government records. Collaku said Kosovo is catching up with recent European and global trends in this aspect.
The new president of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Kadri Veseli, said today that it would be good for Kosovo's Government to undergo a general reshuffling rather than simply changing a few names. “PDK will ask, together with the coalition partners, to first of all discuss the governing concept in the sense of whether we will only change a few names or make changes that will include reshuffling of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo with Isa Mustafa as Prime Minister”, said Veseli.
The paper’s front-page editorial today notes that the establishment of a Credit Fund that aims to create at least 20 thousand jobs, is good news but in Kosovo's case, it is not enough to encourage serious investments. “The market turmoil and weakening of fair competition, taking the small players outside the game, are the main characteristics of business life in Kosovo. The biggest blow to fair businesses was the interference of public officials who enabled dozens of phantom companies, without experience, to easily win big tenders,” notes the paper.
The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci stated that the unpleasant situations between the government and opposition parties have been overcome. “As far as the government and opposition are concerned, I highly value the current situation, the normality of democratic life. I encourage meetings among the entire leadership, as those of that have taken place in previous days, to discuss significant matters of the country.