UNMIK Headlines 18 April
EU calls meetings of Pristina and Belgrade delegations (Gazeta Tribuna)
The EU has called two urgent meetings between the delegations of Kosovo and Serbia following Kosovo’s insistence on implementation of agreements reached in Brussels. Apart from the issue of ADR certification for transport of dangerous goods, the meetings between the two parties are also expected to focus on the announcement by Kosovo authorities that beginning from 18 April, persons who are in possession of ID cards issued by Serb parallel structures will not be allowed entry into Kosovo.
Kosovo could stand to benefit from conditional visa liberalization (dailies)
The German paper Welt am Sonntag reported that the European Union is planning to change the Schengen agreement for the new countries that would join it by introducing a clause enabling automatic suspension of the agreement if the beneficiary countries do not respect all its aspects. Countries like Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine, and Kosovo could be offered this new “conditional” agreement, the paper noted.
Mustafa: Report corruption, immediate measures will be taken (Bota Sot)
Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa through a Facebook post on Sunday encouraged citizens to report acts of corruption by ensuring that immediate measure will be taken. “Citizens, businesses and anyone who has information should report such actions and I assure you that measures will be taken immediately. The government has clarified its position that it will not allow in any case that people associated with corruption and organized crime to be part of it or of the bodies it appoints,” Mustafa said.
Vetevendosje says AAK, NISMA to explain “secret” talks with Govt (Koha)
The paper reports on its front page that the Vetevendosje Movement has called on the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) to explain their “flirting” with the ruling parties. Vetevendosje’s General Council issued a statement saying that the “opposition cause cannot be successful if there is flirting with the ruling parties and the evil in Kosovo cannot be stopped through secret talks with those who are responsible for the current crisis”. “This government has reached the point of an authoritarian regime and as such it must resign or withdraw. Flirtations with the ruling parties must be explained before we can move on with joint opposition actions and protests,” the statement noted.
Caushi: Opposition’s activity lost its coordination (Bota Sot)
Vetevendosje Movement senior member Driton Caushi said yesterday that currently the opposition’s activity has lost its coordination. “Unilateral actions which have been repeated several times in a row have shaken our confidence towards several other figures from other opposition parties. All we have requested from the united opposition was to take the decisions together,” Caushi said. According to him, this non-coordination has endangered the opposition’s cause. "We as Vetevendosje are committed to continue our journey against this government,” he added. Caushi also said that within two or three months Vetevendosje will be restructured.
Haradinaj and Limaj to sign coalition today (Epoka e Re)
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), will sign today a pre-election coalition, based on which they will compete in the future elections as two joint political forces. The leaders of the two parties, Ramush Haradinaj and Fatmir Limaj, will meet today at 10:00 hours. Citing an unnamed source close to the parties, the paper reports that the AAK and NISMA do not exclude coalitions with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) or the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), after elections.
Former AAK MP Kadaj-Bujupi joins Vetevendosje (dailies)
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) former parliamentary group chief, Donika Kadaj-Bujupi, who resigned from AAK a few weeks ago, has joined Vetevendosje Movement as of yesterday. Kadaj-Bujupi said she took this decision for principal reasons. “This decision of mine is a continuation of full confidence in Vetevendosje Movement, which remained faithful to its principles, despite strong winds. If I was to choose between peace and justice, I would choose justice,” she said. AAK officials didn’t want to comment on Kadaj-Bujupi’s decision to join the biggest opposition party.
Government of Kosovo may expand persona non grata list (Bota Sot)
The government of Kosovo is expected to expand the list of Serbian officials not permitted to enter Kosovo. Acting Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi said that the persona non grata list could be broadened depending on the arguments Kosovo institutions possess on other Serbian officials.