UNMIK Headlines 11 December
Thaci: PDK was sacrificed to resolve the political stalemate (Zeri)
In the last interview as Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci told the public broadcaster RTK that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) agreement solved the meaningless political stalemate. Thaci stated that the citizens of Kosovo have unfairly experienced institutional crisis for six months. According to him, PDK worked hard to end the political stalemate in Kosovo. “We, as a winning party, have transformed Kosovo into a winning party and have created credible institutions,” said Thaci.
Vetëvendosje: Joint government of Pristina and Belgrade (Koha Ditore)
Representatives of the Vetevendosje movement, stated on Wednesday during a press conference that they will be a powerful opposition to the government, in the Assembly and outside of it. Albin Kurti, the movement’s leader, said he needs only seven additional MPs in order to reach the number of 40 votes to initiate extraordinary sessions and investigative commissions. “Isa Mustafa resisted Vetevendosje’s conditions for the benefit of Kosovo and for a new course, for three months, until 10 September 2014. On the other hand, Thaci and Mustafa accepted the conditions of the Serbian List, respectively of Belgrade, within a night,” said Kurti.
Petition for raped women not to be submitted to UN this year (Koha Ditore)
Although signed in July, petition seeking justice for women raped during the Kosovo conflict will not be submitted to the UN this year. Initially, it was said that the petition, which gathered 115,759 signatures, would be submitted in September but this has not yet happened. Suzana Novoberdaliu, member of the petition’s board, said the delays are due to the recent political developments in Kosovo as well as the lack of funds to undertake the travel to US. She added however that they will not give up and the petition will most likely be submitted early next year.
EULEX to be investigated by OLAF (Koha Ditore)
European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has informed the European Commission that it aims to launch investigations against EULEX, Koha Ditore reports on the front page. The Civilian Operations Commander, Kenneth Deane, stated in a debate before a European Parliament commission that “there will be no stone left unturned to explain all the suspicions presented.”Deane also informed the MEPs that there are internal investigations being carried out in EULEX and that those are joint investigations with local authorities, but he did not give any details about the level of the Kosovo authorities’ involvement in this matter.Deane also said that EULEX, with the approval of the UN, decided to partially withdraw the immunity for EULEX former employees.
UP rector to cut the salaries of Prime Minister and his ministers (Zeri)
The Rector of theUniversity of Pristina (UP), Ramadan Zejnullahu, decided to cut the salary of Kosovo Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, and his ministers: Hajredin Kuci, Haki Demolli, Arsim Bajrami and Hykmete Bajrami. Zejnullahu decided to remove the prime minister and ministers from the payrolls of UP regular teaching staff. This decision will apply to all other professors who besides teaching in UP also have political commitments.