UNMIK Headlines 20 March
Fuele: Agreement with Serbia opens path for SAA (dailies)
“Being European means to be ready for compromises and also for consensuses.” This is one message from EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fuele, who is in Pristina one a day before the meeting between prime ministers, Hashim Thaçi and Ivica Dacic in Brussels. Fuele has announced that there will be an agreement in this meeting because parties understood that the dialogue to normalize relations between them is the only path for Kosovo and Serbia towards integration into the EU.
He also talked about the EU reward for Kosovo after eventually achieving an agreement with Serbia. “I have never said that there will not be a reward for Kosovo if the agreement is reached. Well, if there is an agreement this will be good for Pristina and Belgrade, but also for the citizens of both countries. And it will be also a good agreement for European aspiration for both parties, for Albanians and for Serbs,” expressed Fuele.
He emphasized that the dialogue is very important, particularly for Kosovo. “The days and weeks to come will be crucial for EU–Kosovo relations. A possible agreement with Belgrade tomorrow and its implementation in the field should pave the way for a positive outcome in the meeting of the Council in June, regarding negotiations for the Stabilization Association Agreement,” stated commissioner Fuele in a press conference.
Public agreement (Express)
If Belgrade wants to receive the start date for negotiations with Brussels, it is necessary for the Presidents and Prime Ministers of Serbia and Kosovo to pledge in front of cameras that they will sign the agreement on regulation of good neighbourly relations in a judicial manner. This position was made public on Tuesday by the Bundestag delegation presented in the discussions with the most senior officials ofBelgrade.
Head of the delegation Andreas Schockenhoff told journalists that they requested “clear and evident will” from Belgrade and said the implementation of the agreement is not expected before the end of the negotiations of Serbia with EU.
Protest against negotiations with Serbia (dailies)
Hundreds of citizens gathered in front of the Kosovo Government building in Pristina yesterday to protest against the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The protest, organized by the Movement for Unification (LB), demanded an end to negotiations and warned that their outcomes will be damaging for Kosovo, especially Mitrovica and Preshevo Valley.
Thaçi requests recognition of Kosovo from Pope (Epoka e Re)
According to an announcement from Prime Ministers’ cabinet, PM Hashim Thaçi participated in the new Pope’s inauguration ceremony in the Vatican. Thaçi met with Pope Francis privately and requested that the Vatican recognize the state of Kosovo to achieve progress in state building.
Chizov: Dialogue will continue (Express)
The permanent representative of Russia at the European Union, Vladimir Chizov, stated on Tuesday that Russia was never asked to participate in the dialogue in Brussels between Kosovo and Serbia, which is being mediated by the EU. However, Chizov added that Moscow is carefully following the flow of these discussions. Chizov said that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina “will continue” and that the final phase cannot be discussed.
Police station in Leposavic attacked by explosive (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo police officers informed that a strong explosion occurred on Tuesday at around 21:99 hours at the entrance of the police station in Leposavic. Kosovo police spokesperson Besim Hoti said that the explosion caused material damages to their facilities. “Luckily, there were no casualties. Police started investigations and there are no suspects yet,” said Hoti. There are claims that the explosive device was thrown from a moving vehicle. This explosion comes after a series of similar, however no perpetrator was found.
Albania asked to assist on the telephone code issue (Express)
Kosovo Minister of Economic Development Besim Beqaj asked Albanian Minster of Technology Genc Pollo to help Kosovo to have an international phone prefix. Since Albania is member of International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Beqaj urged Pollo to focus on trying to gain authorization for Kosovo on a new code.
Mujota: 2013 when motorway construction will begin (Koha Ditore)
Ministry of infrastructure wishes to start work on the Pristina–Hani I Elezit motorway this year. For Minister Fehmi Mujota, the highway construction is not connected to whether PTK decides to privatize or not, as IMF representatives claims. The construction of the highway can continue for four years. Construction will begin this year, when local elections expected to be held.