UNMIK Headlines 17 March
Thaci and Vucic to meet in Brussels next week (RTK)
Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, will host in Brussels on Friday 23 March 2018 a meeting with Presidents Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia and Hashim Thaçi of Kosovo.
A press release issued by the European Commission’s Spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic informed that they will continue their exchange on the comprehensive normalisation phase of the EU Facilitated Belgrade Pristina Dialogue and take stock of the ongoing work on the implementation of existing agreements.
Meta: Kosovo and Serbia can find a common language (RTK)
Ilir Meta, President of Albania, told N1 broadcaster during the Sixth Global Baku Forum in Azerbaijan that he hopes relations between Kosovo and Serbia will be significantly better in the future. “Serbia and Kosovo can find a common language in the future, a language of respect and mutual understanding. We want and support continuance of their dialogue, with their joint efforts, in order to normalize relations between the two countries in the near future,” Meta said.
Haziri: Demarcation will be voted on Tuesday (RTK)
Lutfi Haziri, deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and mayor of Gjilan, said during a debate with students of AAB College, that the agreement on demarcation of the border with Montenegro will be voted on Tuesday.
“The law with Montenegrins is the easiest decision that Kosovo will have. Demarcation will be voted. If this law took three and a half years to be ratified, imagine how difficult will the second decision, endorsement of the statute of the municipalities with Serb majority, and which should be approved by the government, not the Assembly, will be.
Pacolli to Dacic: Kosovo’s statehood is a done deal (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Behxhet Pacolli, is participating at the meeting of Western Balkans Foreign Ministers which is being held in Sarajevo. During his speech Pacolli initially expressed regret for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s attempt to exclude Kosovo from this meeting. Responding to the remarks of the Serbian FM Ivica Dacic for participation of Kosovo at the next meeting which will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria, Pacolli said “Kosovo’s statehood is a done deal. We will be together in Sofia, as all the other countries of Western Balkans and the European Union.”
Dacic: If Kosovo wants an army, let them request it at the UN (media)
Serbia’s Foreign Minister, Ivica Dacic, said the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 does not forsee creation of the army of Kosovo. “When Kosovo’s army is concerned, let them seek it at the UN Security Council. The UNSC session will not bring a decision on the so-called army of Kosovo, because it is not foreseen in 1244 resolution or any other document,” Dacic reportedly said. He added that Serbia would not accept this and Kosovo Serb MPs would certainly not vote for it.
Dacic said Serbia wants to resolve problems first of all for its own sake, therefore it is proposing a final solution for Kosovo. However, he added “we have a situation where Brussels agreements are not being implemented.”
Vetevendosje’s motion on Dehari’s case does not pass (RTK)
Vetevendosje Movement’s motion on Astrit Dehari’s case did not pass on Friday at Assembly of Kosovo. From 52 MPs present at the session, 27 voted against, 23 for and two abstained. The debate was characterized by many accusations between the MPs from Vetevendosje Movement, those of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), and governing cabinet. Many MPs and even PM Ramush Haradinaj had to interfere to avoid escalation of the debate a clash between Vetevednosje and PDK MPs.
After the session, PM Haradinaj said that despite the decision of the Assembly of Kosovo, Dehari’s case can be resolved by justice bodies.
He said the government respected the request of Astrit Dehari’s family, and trusted investigation of Dehari’s death to an international, Swiss institution.