UNMIK Headlines 2 February
There is no coalition between PDK and AAK (dailies)
AAK leader, Ramush Haradinaj stated on Friday that very little dose of optimism has remained for co-governance of the country by PDK and AAK. He stated that he has not received positive signals so far. “To be honest, we keep a dose of optimism, however we do not have signals that the response will be positive,” stated Haradinaj after the meeting of the leadership of this party. He added that the definite epilogue will be known on Monday.
Davutoglu speaks about Kosovo in Belgrade, Dacic reacts (dailies)
Head of the Turkish diplomacy, Ahmet Davutoglu, visited Belgrade on Friday, where he met with his Serbian counterpart, Ivan Mrkic. According to the Serbian media, they discussed improvement of relations in the region, economic cooperation and the dialog between Pristina and Belgrade. “Our strategic cooperation in the Balkans is an important message and mechanism for stability, peace and progress of the region,” Davutoglu was quoted as saying.
Serbia’s Prime Minister Ivica Dacic reacted immediately, through a press release, calling Davutoglly to show restraint when the issue of resolving the status for Kosovo is concerned. Dacic stressed that Turkey’s political position is important for stability in the Balkans, however, he requested from Turkey to stay aside when Kosovo is concerned, reports Zeri.
Williamson in Belgrade for “organ trafficking in Kosovo (Zeri)
Serbia’s prosecutor for war crimes, discussed with the chief of the European Commission special team for organ trafficking in Kosovo, Clint Williamson. “Vikcevic and Williamson exchanged information and knowledge, gained during questioning some witnesses,” says a press release issued by the Prosecution in Belgrade, reported Serbian media.
Borchard ready for challenges (dailies)
The new chief of EULEX, Bernd Borchard, met on his first day at work, with Kosovo Assembly Speaker, Jakup Krasniqi, Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri and Minister of Internal Affairs, Bajram Rexhepi. Krasniqi requested more support from head of the European Union mission on the rule of law as well as in the process of the Euro-Atlantic integration. Borchard reportedly replied that “EULEX is ready to do its own part. EULEX plays an important role on involvement of the EU in Kosovo, such as in visa liberalization and structured dialog on the rule of law. This is for the benefit of all communities.”
After the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri, Borchard stated that many challenges await EULEX and Kosovo. “We are together in partnership, and together with partnership come the responsibilities for all parties,” stated Borchard.
Halbauer: Decision for KSF as an army to be made this year (dailies)
KFOR Commander Walker Halbauer said for radio Deutche Welle that even though the security situation has fundamentally changed, there is still potential for conflict. He also stated that impact of actions and processes in the neighboring regions towards Kosovo, can never be excluded.
Speaking about Kosovo Security Force, Halbauer said the issue if this organization is going to become an army, will be certainly decided within this year.
University of Pristina presses charges against Orthodox Church (Koha Ditore)
The Orthodox Church already owns four hectares of what used to be property of the University of Pristina, according to the Law on space planning dated 12 December 1975. The University of Pristina has pressed charges against the Orthodox Church, which “during the years 1992-1993 used the created circumstances in an illegal and arbitrary manner, without judicial basis to build in the property of the University of Pristina,” say the charges claiming that the Church usurped 0.54.12 ha for the building and 3.73.4 hectares destined for the yard. UP claims that cadastral parcel 07090-14 is an integral and inseparable part of the University Complex. Therefore, the University of Pristina “is an uncontested owner of the parcel and it has the right to practice property authority as foreseen in article 18 of the law on property and other rights.”