Headlines - 10.12.2014

President Jahjaga meets Mustafa and Veseli (Zeri)

The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, received on Tuesday, in separate meetings, the Speaker of Parliament Kadri Veseli and Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, and congratulated them on their new posts. President Jahjaga emphasized the importance of establishment of new institutions of the country, after a long period, and stated that now all processes in the country must be expedited in order to compensate for lost time. She also said that the Parliament of Kosovo must develop and advance parliamentary debate, by preserving parliamentary democracy and achieve the accomplishment of duties and obligations in the field of legislation. Madam President also added that Kosovo’s new Government must achieve the expectations of the citizens of the country on economic development, rule of law and order and fulfilment of international obligations. Veseli and Mustafa, at separate meetings, pointed out the role played by President Jahjaga in preservation of the stability in the country and guaranteeing of democratic functioning of the institutions, and expressed their commitment to the expansion of inter-institutional cooperation. Veseli also said that at both sessions of the parliament, the constitutive and extraordinary sessions, legality and constitutionality has been preserved, and added that the Parliament of Kosovo will engage maximally in fulfilment of its obligations. Mustafa said that his multi-ethnic government, has made its commitments clear and will adhere to the economic development programme and to the establishment of rule of law, as well as fulfilment of all obligations towards international community.

Mustafa: Coalition with PDK was not an easy decision (Tribuna)

In an interview for Voice of America, the newly-elected Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said that the coalition with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) was a difficult decision but was necessary for taking forward the will of the people and avoid new elections. “We adjusted to the reality”, said Mustafa.

Kosovo Government with obligations to Serbian List (Tribuna)

The offering of three ministerial posts, a post of a deputy prime minister and several deputy ministers were not sufficient to convince the Serbian List to join the Kosovo Government. In a meeting that the leader of Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Hashim Thaci, and of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Isa Mustafa, had with representatives of the Serbian List, other compromises were made as well. The PDK and LDK agreed on establishment of the Community/Association of Serb-majority municipalities in five months’ time, at the latest, and they were assured that a special attention will be paid to the future rounds of privatization in the majority Serb areas. They also agreed to continue the return of displaced Serbs, to return the Serb usurped property, introduce direct Pristina-Belgrade air flights and a railway line.

Kerry expects new Kosovo government to fight corruption (Kosova Sot)

The U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, congratulated Kosovo onthe formation of the new government. A press release issued by the U.S. State Department stresses that the ruling coalition is expected to demonstrate the vitality of the democratic Kosovo and its political institutions. “We expect the government to work in a comprehensive manner, with all the communities, and to seriously address the issue of corruption,” Kerry’s letter notes.

Lunacek met with Kosovo Parliament Speaker (KosovaPress)

Kadri Veseli, the newly-elected Speaker of the Kosovo Parliament, met on Tuesday in Pristina with the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek. Lunacek congratulated Veseli on his new post, while Veseli said his sole commitment would be to his duties as Parliament Speaker. Veseli also said he will always be ready to contribute to the wellbeing of all citizens, regardless of their political beliefs.

Lunacek disappointed with gender representation in government (Koha)

The European Parliament’s Rapporteur on Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, said on Tuesday in Pristina that the formation of new Kosovo institutions is good news for the European Union. “The new government however will have to fulfill many tasks in order to move toward the European Union,” she said. Lunacek expressed concern over gender representation in the new government. “The fact that there are only two women among 21 ministers is a disappointment for both women and men,” she said. Lunacek also talked about the establishment of the Special Court and the adoption of a new package of laws by the Kosovo Parliament. “Kadri Veseli [Parliament Speaker] has promised me he will take forward the issue of the Special Court,” Lunacek said.

Meucci: What are you doing to fight the corruption? (Kosova Sot)

Gabriele Meucci, head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) talked to RTK on Tuesday about allegations for corruption affairs within the mission. Meucci said that internal investigations are underway. He also stated that the EU mission was helping Kosovo to fight corruption. “We are here to help, but some day, we will leave and the question is what you are doing about it?” Meucci asked.

Serbian List against privatization of Brezovica (Tribuna)

Privatization of the Brezovica ski resort is being challenged by Belgrade authorities even without starting yet, reports the paper. The Serbian List has come against the privatization project and its leader, Aleksandar Jablanovic, filed a complaint with the Procurement Review Body (PRB) against the bidding announcement for Brezovica claiming the project does not take into account interests of the local Serb community. PRB has however dismissed Jablanovic’s complaint saying it is groundless.