Headlines - 24.02.2017

• Apostolova: Rule of law, SAA foundation (Zeri)
• Delawie condemns threats of MPs on demarcation (Bota Sot)
• Mustafa: I am ready to face those who oppose demarcation (Tribuna Channel)
• Hoxhaj: EU should reward Kosovo (Klan Kosova)
• Five persons charged for attack on Turkish consulate in Prizren (dailies)
• Bota Sot: KFOR’s list of SHIK members 

Kosovo Media Highlights

Apostolova: Rule of law, SAA foundation (Zeri)

The Head of the EU Office in Kosovo and Special Representative, Nataliya Apostolova, said that the rule of law is the foundation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). “The more Kosovo implements it, the closer it will be to the EU,” she said at the launch of the awareness campaign on SAA. Apostolova remarked that she was aware visa liberalisation is in the minds of all the people of Kosovo but that there are still two more conditions that have to be met: border demarcation with Montenegro and fight against corruption and organised crime. 

Delawie condemns threats of MPs on demarcation (Bota Sot)

The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie has welcomed the results of the Commission for the Agreement of the Demarcation of the Border. He also condemned threats against public officials with regards to their vote on the Agreement for border demarcation with Montenegro. “Welcome professional work of BDA commission & condemn any threats toward public officials about their BDA vote. Unacceptable in a democracy,” Delawie wrote on his Twitter account.

Mustafa: I am ready to face those who oppose demarcation (Tribuna Channel)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, spoke to Tribuna Channel about the threats to MPs not to vote demarcation of the border with Montenegro, as well as threats of the residents at the border zone with Montenegro. He said that no one has the right to threaten anyone and added that this is done by “cowards.” He said that he met with 80 people from the region of Rugova and that he was not afraid because demarcation was carried out in a right manner and Kosovo would not lose a single meter of its land. “When they raise their voices in Rugova, Peja mayor told them that there is no need to raise the voice but only present a fact or a document that you have lost land. However, they did not present a single fact or document. I also wish for Kosovo to be bigger, but it is what it is,” Mustafa said.  He further added that officials of the U.S. state department have said that demarcation should be concluded being that NATO does not allow having its troops in two countries that have problems with their borders.

Hoxhaj: EU should reward Kosovo (Klan Kosova)

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, said the European Union should “reward” Kosovo by giving it candidate status because of “compromises it has made with Serbia in the Brussels dialogue.” Hoxhaj made the comments at the meeting of the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee. 

Five persons charged for attack on Turkish consulate in Prizren (dailies)

The Basic Prosecution in Prizren has charged five persons as responsible for the attack on the Turkish consulate on 28 November 2016. The five persons, all from Prizren, are accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail and stones at the consulate building.

Bota Sot: KFOR’s list of SHIK members

The paper publishes a list it claims to have been prepared by KFOR containing names of persons thought to have been members of SHIK (Kosovo Information Service), a secret service organization associated with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). The paper says the list will serve as evidence for the specialist chambers to solve crimes committed in the post-conflict period in Kosovo.