Headlines - 31.10.2016

• Last two barricades in Mitrovica North removed (Koha/RFE/Kallxo)
• Veseli: I am proud with KLA warriors (Epoka e Re)
• Haradinaj: I don’t fear the special court (Zeri)
• Protests against the sentence for KLA members (RTK)
• PDK expected to appoint Minister of European Integration this week (Koha)
• Gecaj: We will have meetings with Serbian List (Zeri)
• Djuric to visit Kosovo on Monday (media)
• Hoxhaj in Jeddah, seeks Kosovo’s recognition by OIC member states (Koha)

Last two barricades in Mitrovica North removed (Koha/RFE/Kallxo)

Mitrovica South Mayor Agim Bahtiri told Radio Free Europe that the last two barricades in Mitrovica North were removed during the weekend and that the situation is heading towards normalisation. Bahtiri said the barricades were removed as a result of agreements reached between Pristina and Belgrade in Brussels. Kosovo’s Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, too said the removal of the barricades is an action related to the Brussels agreement on the revitalisation of the bridge. Tahiri said this will contribute to the free movement of people, an improved security situation and better relations between the communities. Pristina-based news website Kallxo reported on Sunday that after the removal of barricades, the Adem Jashari Square in the Bosniak Neighborhood in Mitrovica North was also removed.

Veseli: I am proud with KLA warriors (Epoka e Re)

The President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli, said in an interview for the paper on Sunday that he does not consider the resolution of the Assembly of Kosovo on protection of KLA war values to be delayed. He promised that Kosovo institutions will work seriously on the law which will protect the KLA war values. Veseli also spoke about the Drenica case and the latest indictment against NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj. He said that he is proud of the Demaku family, with Sylejman Selimi, Sami Lushtaku and added that Fatmir Limaj is innocent and he will come out triumphant just as he did in The Hague. Veseli further said that the establishment of the Special Court was inevitable and that under the created circumstances and the allegations, the priority was on the state of Kosovo, its perspective and strategic interests and not on individual interests.

Haradinaj: I don’t fear the special court (Zeri)

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) MP, Daut Haradinaj, told the paper that the Resolution approved by the Kosovo Assembly on Friday which pledges to endorse the Law on protection of the values of the KLA within six months, will not give any results. According to him, it should be made clear to the international community to mainly focus on crimes that Serbia committed in Kosovo rather than the former leaders of the KLA. While speaking about the special court for war crimes, Haradinaj said he does not fear this court because, according to him, he was a good soldier according to Albanian traditions. He also said that the KLA in general has nothing to hide, because it made a clean war for liberation. In regards to the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into Kosovo Armed Force, Haradinaj said that Kosovo must put pressure on Serbia and the EU and show them that there will be no danger from Kosovo Armed Force but it will only guarantee Kosovo’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Protests against the sentence for KLA members (RTK)

The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) war veterans’ organizations in Gllogovc will protests today to express their dissatisfaction regarding the recent sentences of the KLA commanders and soldiers. They consider that the court decision tends to devaluate the liberation war, as well as the sacrifice of the soldiers who were defending their homes. According to the issued press release, the protest will start at 12:00 hours at “Fehmi Lladrovci” square.

PDK expected to appoint Minister of European Integration this week (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that partners of the ruling coalition are expected to appoint the Minister and Deputy Minister of European Integration this week. Citing sources in the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the paper notes that Hajredin Kuci, Blerta Deliu-Kodra and Justina Pula are likely candidates for the post of minister. If Kuci is appointed minister, he will also keep his current post of Deputy Prime Minister. According to the sources, Anila Statovci, current Deputy Minister for Education, will be appointed Deputy Minister for European Integration.

Gecaj: We will have meetings with Serbian List (Zeri)

Kosovo’s Deputy Minister of Local Government Administration, Bajram Gecaj, said on Sunday that Serbian List’s boycott to the Kosovo institutions hinders normal functioning of the institutions. According to him, the government of Kosovo has invited the Serbian List for a meeting in order to overcome the current situation. “We invited them for a meeting. They are still discussing their actions within their structures, so there will be a meeting when they are ready for it,” Gecaj said. He also said that the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities cannot start while the Serbian List is boycotting the institutions.

Djuric to visit Kosovo on Monday (media)

Most media report that Marko Djuric, head of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo, will visit Kosovo on Monday. In a press release to Serbian media, Djuric said he will meet the management, union representatives and workers of the Trepca mining complex in Leposavic. Djuric is scheduled to give a press conference at the end of his visit. Serbian media reported that this will be Djuric’s first visit to Kosovo since the Kosovo Assembly adopted the Law on the Trepca mining complex.

Hoxhaj in Jeddah, seeks Kosovo’s recognition by OIC member states (Koha)

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, met Iyad Amin Madani, the Permanent Secretary of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation, and thanked him for the support in the consolidation of Kosovo’s statehood and its membership in different international organisations. Hoxhaj also asked Madani for the OIC to influence 22 of its member states to recognise Kosovo’s independence and to support Kosovo’s initiatives to join international organisations. “Madani expressed his readiness as Secretary of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation to communicate with all member states that have not recognised Kosovo, saying that he is deeply convinced that Kosovo’s independence must be supported by OIC member states for peace and stability in the Balkans,” noted a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.