UNMIK Headlines 15 September
Tahiri: Kosovo to sign SAA in October (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Minister without portfolio, Edita Tahiri, in an interview with the paper said that Kosovo will sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union during the next month. “The EU told us that the signing of the SAA will happen in October. And in this case, Kosovo will open the official chapter on European integration,” she said. Tahiri said that Serbia’s decision to violate the Agreement on Freedom of Movement on Sunday will be discussed during a meeting in Brussels scheduled for 28 September. She said she was in regular contact with EU officials about allowing Albanians to vote in the local elections in Medvegja municipality on Sunday. According to her, the EU had to intervene to open border crossings that were closed by Serbia. In regards to the Pristina - Belgrade dialogue, Tahiri said that Kosovo will make sure to report to Brussels on the implementation of the agreements and to establish reciprocal measures.
Delawie: Fighting corruption will be a priority (dailies)
The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, said yesterday that one of his priorities as ambassador would be the common commitment to fight corruption. Delawie stressed that fighting corruption is a challenge for each government, including Kosovo. "A strict anti-corruption program creates an environment where corruption is easily identified and then easily prosecuted as well,” Delawie said. He made these remarks at the opening of the seminar "Legal aspects of the fight against corruption" where he invited the participants to explore the best ways to combat this negative phenomenon.
Jahjaga meets CIA director, discusses security (RTK)
President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, met the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John Brennan, in Washington DC and discussed security developments in Kosovo and the region and Kosovo’s contribution to the global anti-terror coalition.
Kosovo to join UNESCO by end of year (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Petrit Selimi, told Radio Bulgaria that Kosovo’s bid to join UNESCO is a very difficult battle with many challenges. However, he is convinced that by the end of year, Kosovo will be a member of UNESCO. "Kosovo is already recognized as a state by 111 members of UNESCO,” Selimi said. "Unfortunately Serbian propaganda still tries to prevent and isolate Kosovo from the international arena. But we hope that with all the friends, including Bulgaria, Kosovo will manage to join UNESCO by the end of the year," he added.
Veseli: Preshevo Valley’s decision on association, autochthonous (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli commented on the decision of three Preshevo Valley municipalities to establish an association of Albanian municipalities by saying that it is “autochthonous.” Veseli said Albanian community in the Valley has its own elected representatives and the decision has not been influenced by Kosovo institutions.
Jahjaga to abide by legal provisions for ambassadors’ appointments (Koha)
President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, has pledged to respect the legally defined quota when it comes to decreeing the new ambassadors proposed by the government. Jahjaga said she would make sure the new ambassadors are a balance of political and career appointments. The law specifies that the ratio between political and career diplomats be fifty-fifty but, according to the paper, the government has already exceeded the figure with majority of proposed appointments being political.
KSF to strengthen its role with new responsibilities (Epoka e Re)
The members of the Committee on Internal Affairs, Security and Supervision of the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) on Monday called on the Kosovo government to strengthen the KSF’s role with new responsibilities as soon as possible. Since the constitutional changes to transform the KSF into Kosovo Armed Forces (KAF) seem to be impossible for the time being, the members of this Committee have invited the leadership to look at the legal possibilities to do it. The head of the Department of Defense and Security in the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Rrustem Berisha, called on the international community to support and enable the transformation of the KSF into the KAF.