The views of the citizens in the north of Kosovo are divided when it comes to the Brussels dialogue and the most contradictions about the question of the formation of the Association/Community of Serb municipalities (ZSO), these are the results of the opinion poll, conducted by several portals and several non-governmental organizations under the auspices of the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society.
The construction of 300 houses for Serb returnees in Zveçan/Zvečan funded by Serbian government has been brought to a halt today, sources told the news website. Sources added that the suspension of works came after a meeting the Zveçan/Zvečan Mayor Vučina Janković had with Kosovo’s Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Ferid Agani and that of Local Government and Administration Ljubomir Marić.
Kosovo’s Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Ferid Agani met in Pristina the Minister of Local Government and Administration Ljubomir Marić, Mayor of Zveçan/Zvečan Vučina Janković, and Deputy Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Slađan Nikolčević to discuss the construction of 300 houses in the municipality of Zveçan/Zvečan known as the “Sunny Valley”. Minister Marić stressed the importance the settlement is to the resolution of problems related to sustainable returns and added that the line ministries should assist in implementation of the project.
Representatives of Serbs in the north of Kosovo stated that the construction of 300 new houses will commence despite the opposition from authorities in Pristina. Head of the Zveçan/Zvečan provisional authority appointed by Belgrade, Ivan Todosijević, said that it is up to Pristina to demonstrate good will by granting construction permit for the houses. He said the foundation has already been laid and construction is expected to begin shortly. Furthermore, Todosijević accused the government in Pristina for failing to help the return of the Serb community to Kosovo.
Kosovo’s Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning (MESP) through a press release today announced that the ministry was not informed or consulted in any moment regarding the project for building 300 houses in Zvečan/Zveçan for the Serb returnees. “The construction of this settlement cannot be done without a construction permit issued by the municipal authorities pursuant to the Municipal Development Plan and Municipal zoning map. The municipalities in northern Kosovo do not have these documents.
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), through a press statement today said that the announcement that today will begin the construction of 300 houses for Serbs in Zvečan/Zveçan, a project funded by the government of Serbia, it is only an attempt by Serbia to colonize Kosovo. According to the AAK, Serbia cannot create any projects in Kosovo. “The government of Kosovo has a constitutional obligation to defend the country from external interference, like this one.
Yesterday, the Municipal Assembly of Zvečan/Zveçan unanimously adopted amendments and addendums for the municipal budget for 2016, whereas the Mayor of Zvečan/Zveçan Municipality, Vučina Janković, stressed that, given the circumstances, the budget will be revised in June. The adopted budget amounts to EUR 1.7 million.
Janković further said that guarantees have been received that the budget will be revised in June, providing the necessary funds for the normal functioning of the municipality.
The KFOR Commander, Major General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, met yesterday Vucina Jankovic, Mayor of Zvecan/Zveqan.
General Miglietta and Mayor of Zvecan/Zveqan discussed the current situation in Kosovo with specific focus on the North.
Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric announced that in mid-December would begin work on building a complex in Banjska, Zvecan/Zveqan municipality, and next year construction of settlements ''Sun Valley'' in this municipality.
Djuric said he hoped that the work on building of the settlements ''Sun Valley'' would be completed next year. The settlement should have about 300 houses.
Serbian Government decided on 24 September to appoint new chairperson and members of the provisional body of Zvečan/Zveçan municipality, and new member of Kosovska Mitrovica provisional body.