Kosovo’s Minister of European Integration, Dhurata Hoxha, said at a ceremony organised to mark the tenth anniversary of Kosovo and Germany establishing diplomatic relations that the people of Kosovo never lost hope in the EU despite challenges, particularly with visa liberalisation. “We have achieved progress but still a great deal remains to be done on our integration journey,” Hoxha said. She underlined that Germany remains a very important partner for Kosovo and is one of the most powerful voices that promotes Kosovo’s European integration.

In the annual World Press Freedom Index, Reporters without Borders ranked Kosovo among the countries will partially free media. According to the report, the media in Kosovo suffer from direct and indirect political interference, financial pressure and ownership dependency.

Kosovo’s Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning has filed a lawsuit against the municipality of Zvecan regarding the construction of the so-called “Sunny Valley” neighbourhood. Minister Albena Reshitaj said the ministry asked the municipality to present technical documentation regarding the project on a number of occasions but has received nothing.

The Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Kotzias, is expected to visit Kosovo as part of his Balkans tour that begins today. Kotzias will initially visit Belgrade and then Pristina, Tirana-based news portal abcnews.al reported quoting Greek paper Proto Thema. “Even though Greece has not recognised Kosovo, Nikos Kotzias’ visit carries a positive message,” the Greek paper wrote.

Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) has published the list of attorneys approved to represent suspects, accused or victims. The list contains names of 40 lawyers addmittee to the Lists of Counsel making them eligible to appear before the specialist court and represent anyone entitled to legal representation, a statement issued by the KSC states.

Koha quotes sources saying that the Kosovo Assembly is expected to convene tomorrow to vote on the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. It highlights the statements by Kosovo leaders, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli, both of whom said they expected the demarcation issue to be concluded this week.

Prime Minister of Slovenia, Miro Cerar, told Austrian paper Standard that Kosovo and Serbia should apply “Slovenian model” in resolving their disputes through arbitration. Cerar said the Western Balkans region should join the EU providing the candidates meet the criteria as well as resolve border disputes.

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, said today that discussions are underway to determine the date for the Assembly session where border demarcation agreement with Montenegro would be put to vote. However, he admitted that the coalition parties have not yet managed to secure eighty votes required for the ratification of the agreement.  “It is not an easy process. I believe we are at the final stage of preparations.

Minister of Health, Uran Ismaili, said that efforts are underway to ensure that all citizens of Kosovo can enjoy healthcare insurance within a two-year period. Ismaili said he has requested all relevant stakeholders to send proposals for members of the healthcare fund board. "As soon as I receive the proposals, by 12 March at the latest, I will forward the names for approval to the government," Ismaili added.

Chairman of the Kosovo Judicial Council, Nehat Idrizi, spoke to the members of the Assembly Committee on Legislation about the integration of the north into Kosovo’s judicial system. Asked by the chairperson of the committee, Albulena Haxhiu, on whether the justice agreement foresees recognition of rulings rendered by Serbia-funded courts in the north of Kosovo, Idrizi said that a commission will be set up for the purpose of reviewing over 2,500 cases dealt with by the judiciary in the north.