UNMIK Headlines 11 February
Judiciary with ethnic separation (Zeri, Koha Ditore)
Zeri on its front page reports that the agreement on justice, signed on Monday in Brussels by Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and Serbia Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, physically splits the Mitrovica Basic Court into two buildings, one in the north and one in the south of the city. Citing unnamed sources, the paper writes that the court’s serious crimes department would be placed in the north, while the departments for minor offences and juveniles in the south. The presiding judge will come from the Serb community while the chief prosecutor will be Albanian. This, according to the paper, violates the Kosovo laws as does the physical splitting of the Mitrovica Basic Court. Koha Ditore writes that, in addition, a panel of the Appellate Court will be established in the courthouse in the north and will consist of six Serb judges and two Albanian judges. The paper writes that it is also expected that the majority of judges in each panel to be of the same ethnicity as the people who stand trial.
Kuci: Agreement keeps judicial system unified (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuci told the paper that the agreement between Pristina and Belgrade reached in Brussels, keeps the judicial system of Kosovo unified. He added that the agreement was reached in accordance with applicable laws of Kosovo. According to Kuci, the agreement foresees a court and a prosecution that would provide justice for the entire jurisdiction of the Basic Court in Mitrovica. He added that they expect implementation of the agreement very soon.
EU facilitators do not comment on Pristina-Belgrade agreement (Koha Ditore)
While the EU officials hailed the recent justice agreement between Pristina and Belgrade in the north, they have refused to clarify details of the deal instead saying that it is up to the parties to explain the details to their respective citizens. “If the parties wish to make the Agreement public, it is their right to do so,” said unnamed EU officials.
European politicians hail Pristina-Belgrade agreement (Epoka e Re)
Miroslav Lajcak, Foreign Minister of Slovakia, hailed the recent agreement reached between Pristina and Belgrade and said it opens new paths in the negotiating process. European Parliament MP, Tanja Fajon, also wrote on Twitter that this is a successful continuance of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, mediated by the European Union. “Agreement on justice [is an] important step for both sides on the EU road,” wrote Fajon.
PM Mustafa meets NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg (dailies)
Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, during his visit to Brussels, on Tuesday met with the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Mustafa thanked Stoltenberg for the cooperation and support that KFOR is providing consistently not only in the field of security but also in all other areas of life in Kosovo. Mustafa also requested NATO’s further support on the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into Kosovo Armed Forces, as well as further advancement of Kosovo's partnership with NATO. Stoltenberg commended PM Mustafa on his work, stressing the recent agreement reached in the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue.
Thaci: Visa liberalization during this year (Zeri)
Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Hashim Thaci, told Radio Dukagjini that the delays in the visa liberalization process have increased concerns of the Kosovo people. However, he said that he is convinced that a decision on visa liberalization could be taken by the end of this year. “This year we will apply for membership in the Council of Europe, and in the first half of this year Kosovo will sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union. There is hope and optimism that this year will bring visa liberalization for Kosovo,” said Thaci.
Collaku in Brussels, presents government's priorities (Zeri)
Kosovo Minister of European Integration Bekim Collaku on Tuesday took part in a discussion at the European Policy Centre in Brussels, where he presented the current developments and key challenges for Kosovo’s European integration. Collaku discussed the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU and the completion of the visa liberalization process. He also focused on the continuation of Pristina-Belgrade talks and the implementation of the Brussels Agreement. Special topic was the issue of unemployment and social discontent, increasing the fight against corruption to encourage foreign investment, the government's plan for economic development and other steps to be taken to push forward the comprehensive reforms.
Bamieh reports to EP foreign affairs committee (Koha Ditore)
Former EULEX prosecutor Maria Bamieh, who accused the EU mission’s leadership of involvement in corruption activities, reported yesterday before the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee where she accused EULEX’s leadership of abusing funds dedicated to fighting crime and corruption in Kosovo.