UNMIK Headlines 03 January
Hoxhaj: RKS rep in Belgrade with diplomatic immunity (Zëri.info)
Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj told Deutsche Welle that the Kosovo Government insists that its Belgrade representative enjoy diplomatic immunity. “We are working intensively for the Republic of Kosovo to have its ambassador to the Republic of Serbia and for Kosovo’s representation in Belgrade to be a liaison office of the Republic of Kosovo. This will be its official name and we expect Serbia to also appoint its representative to Kosovo,” said Hoxhaj.
Besides focusing on increasing the number of recognitions, Hoxhaj added that the Kosovo Government will also put efforts on gaining UN membership, which will be coordinated with Kosovo’s strategic partners. “I cannot tell you when Kosovo will apply for UN membership, which is our main goal, because it is one of the most strategic decisions and such decisions require sound and complete analysis,” noted Hoxhaj.
AKK condemns assassination attempt on Stojanovic (Zëri.info)
Association of Kosovo municipalities (AKK) condemned the assassination attempt on Gracanica mayor Bojan Stojanovic, saying the attack was an attempt to destabilize the calm political situation in the municipality. AKK called on law enforcement authorities to immediately apprehend those responsible for this act.
Against decision on giving property to Deçan Monastery (Koha.net)
The Kosovo Historian League opposed the Kosovo Supreme Court Special Chamber’s decision to allocate socially-owned land to the Orthodox Monastery of Deçan. The League consider the decision unlawful, absurd, and unacceptable, adding that they will use all legal means to fight the decision and did not rule out protests.
Haradinaj expects positive results from dialogue (Koha.net)
AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj said during a visit to Mitrovica that he expects positive results from dialogue with Serbia. Haradinaj said Kosovo has a framework for the dialogue from Ahtisaari Package and should achieve concrete results from the process.
Barricade removed in Zubin Potok (Telegrafi)
A barricade on the road to Zubin Potok put up by Serb businessmen and entrepreneurs from the north of Kosovo protesting over the implementation of IBM was removed. The roadblock aimed at preventing the arrival of Kosovo border police and Kosovo customs officer at the border crossing point in Bërnjak. Regardless of the barricade, however, KFOR and EULEX vehicles could pass through. As of 31 December, the movement of other vehicles began functioning normally at the crossing point.
Kosovo begins applying visa regime for 87 countries (Koha.net)
Residents from 87 countries will require Kosovo entry visas as of 1 January. Kosovo authorities said the decision to impose a visa regime on certain countries will have a positive impact on the internal security in its path towards EU integration.