A group of Kosovo MPs and representatives of the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) visited today the basic prosecution in the northern part of Mitrovica as part of efforts to increase transparency of Brussels agreements and to strengthen the supervisory role of the Kosovo Assembly in the implementation of agreements process.
North Mitrovica Mayor Goran Rakic says that media reports on the blockade of funds for northern Kosovo by the responsible ministry in Pristina suggests that someone believes that by demonstrating force one can exert political pressure on Serbs, reports Kontakt plus radio.
- Of course it will not pass, and it is not a recipe for solving political problems, Rakic said.
Serbian Prime Minister, Ana Brnabic said Serbian judges and prosecutors did not take an oath before the Kosovo President, Hashim Thaci, but gave special, neutral statement, TV N1 reported.
After the alleged statement of the oath was shared on the social networks mentioned that judges swore on the Kosovo Constitution and the oath was not neutral, PM Brnabic expressed her opinion on Twitter.
“In order for you to have accurate information, our judges did not take an oath, but gave special, status neutral statement. The truth matters,” PM wrote.
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said that Kosovo is a province of Serbia and that the Serbian government acted in accordance with it and approved the swearing-in of the Serbian judges and prosecutors before President Hashim Thaci, and that it implemented the Brussels agreement, Belgrade daily Danas writes.
European Commission has expressed regret over delays in implementation of the justice agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels. “Pristina has met all obligations relating to implementation of the justice agreement. Integration of staff is important as it contributes to the rule of law in Kosovo,” said European Commission spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic. She said progress of both sides on European integration is linked to progress in the dialogue for normalization of relations.
Judges and prosecutors from the north of Kosovo did not take an oath today at the office of the Kosovo President, RTS reported.
The ceremony was scheduled to take place today at 11.00. Kosovo Chief Prosecutor, Aleksandar Lumezi said to RTS that judges and prosecutors from the north did not come and the next date would be set by the office of the Kosovo President.
Serbian Government Office for Kosovo Director, Marko Djuric said to RTS earlier, he expects the implementation of the agreement on the judiciary would start as of Friday.
The EU confirmed that on Tuesday the Kosovo-Serbia agreement on unifying the justice system in Kosovo is due to come into force.
Maja Kocijancic, the spokesperson for EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, told BIRN on Monday that a landmark agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, unifying the justice system in Kosovo, will come into force on Tuesday.
According to the information published by KoSSev informative portal, 42 judges of the Serbian judicial system in Kosovo are invited to take the oath of office before the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci tomorrow.
USA Ambassador in Pristina, Greg Delawie and Minister of Administration and Local Self- Governance, Ivan Todosijevic spoke yesterday about the situation of non-majority communities in Kosovo and implementation of the Brussels agreement, KIM Radio reported.
The two officials also spoke about the forthcoming Kosovo local elections. Todosijevic highlighted the importance of establishing the Association of the Serb Municipalities, and implantation of agreements that are not yet fully implemented.
In less than a month in the north of Kosovo, the court and the prosecutor's office should start working; it was agreed in Brussels at the last meeting of Serbian and Kosovo Presidents, Aleksandar Vučić with Hashim Thaçi. The Kosovo Judicial Council undertook all technical actions, candidate admission is done, and now in progress are works for the arrangement of the court building in the northern part of Mitrovica.