The failure called EULEX (Express)

A day after the publication of the European Court of Auditors’ report for EULEX’s lack of results in Kosovo, EULEX reacted by challenging certain points of the report. “The rule of law in Kosovo is a joint effort initiated by EULEX and the Commission in a difficult environment and we continue to make efforts to improve the rule of law in Kosovo,” stated a press release issued by the public information officers for Radio Free Europe, “Many vital, executive engagements of EULEX during the period 2007-2011, are not included in the report. In addition, the mission in Kosovo has already addressed many recommendations of the court. From the time this report was written, Kosovo institutions improved their performance, while the mandate of the EULEX mission, with prior reconfiguration, has been extended.”

Vetëvendosje: EULEX to withdraw, government to resign (dailies)

Koha Ditore reports that the Vetëvendosje Movement on Wednesday has called for the withdrawal of the EU Rule-of-Law Mission (EULEX) and for the resignation of the Thaçi-led Government of Kosovo. Vetëvendosje’s request came one day after the European Court of Auditors gave “EULEX a cold shower,” highlighting its lack of results in the rule of law area.

Vetëvendosje chairmanship member, Puhie Demaku, told reporters there is no reason for EULEX to remain in Kosovo after the report by the European Court of Auditors. “This report of 71 pages. In every democratic government there should be an invitation or argument for resignation and for any mission, whose aim is to achieve success, this should represent a ticket to return home because it concludes so many failures and manipulation of European tax payers in a country that does not seek to achieve progress,” Demaku said.

MUP arrests Serb in north, KFOR and EULEX without information (dailies)

Several dailies featured front-page reports that Slavoljub Jovic, “Bridge guards” leader in northern Mitrovica, appeared in court in Kraljevo, Serbia, on Wednesday. He is being charged with organizing an attack with the aim of killing KFOR soldiers in June 2012 near the Rudare Bridge. The Prosecution of Serbia in Kraljevo issued a press communiqué stating that it has called for the start of investigations against Jovic.

Jovic was arrested yesterday in Kosovo, although not by Kosovo Police, EULEX or KFOR. Sources told Koha Ditore that Jovic was caught by Serbian Gendarmerie on Wednesday at 09:00 hrs in Mitrovica hospital in the north. Sources said a bag was put on Jovic’s head and he was forcefully placed inside a black vehicle. Over 20 members of the Serbian Gendarmerie, including five black vehicles and an ambulance, were involved in the operation.

Kosovo Police spokesman Besim Hoti said Jovic was kidnapped, adding that Kosovo Police does not know who was behind it. KFOR officials also said they don’t have any information about the matter.

Some dailies note that the involvement of the Serbian Gendarmerie in Kosovo constitutes a violation of territorial integrity, but the government in Pristina did not react. EULEX’s spokesperson did not comment on the entrance of Serbian authorities inside Kosovo’s territory.

Knaus: Kosovo must wait 14 years to join EU (Koha Ditore – page 6)

During yesterday’s conference in Pristina on the role of parliaments in monitoring and promoting children’s rights, UNICEF senior policy advisor Venera Knaus stated that what Kosovo has endured until now was only a “warm-up” for the future processes towards EU membership, for which Kosovo has to wait another 14 years.

“The Stabilization/Association Agreement is the first difficult step for Kosovo toward membership in the European Union. This will be followed by other more difficult processes,” Knaus said. “The EU will address many questions related to legislation, implementation, and many other issues to you. You will need an additional 13-14 years for this.”

Serwer: Serbia decade away from EU (Zëri – page 2)

Balkans analyst Daniel Serwer stated that the issue of Serbia’s recognition of Kosovo will not be on the agenda for a while and “therefore, I am not surprised why officials are not insisting on this”.

In an interview for Radio Free Europe, Serwer said many European Union member states made it clear that Serbia will not gain full membership without fully normalizing relations with Kosovo. “Serbia’s membership in the European Union is maybe a decade if not more away; that’s why I think it’s too early to worry about that.”

Serwer welcomed US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s message that there won’t be any border changes inEurope.