UNMIK Headlines 21 February
Resolution 1244 remains basis for next EULEX (Koha Ditore)
The new EU mission in Kosovo will not be relying on any international agreement to be established, as its basis will be the UN Security Council resolution 1244. Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci said there is going to be an exchange of letters between Brussels and Pristina regarding this arrangement.
Although the EU decided to undertake major changes to its mission in Kosovo, it insists on retaining three things: having UNSC resolution 1244 as the legal basis for the establishment of the new mission; to continue monitoring and reporting on Kosovo’s progress in the field of rule of law; and that the outcome of the investigations of the Special Task Force will not be part of the review process.
Fisnik Korenica, executive director from the Group for Political Studies, warned that if 1244 remains the basis for the establishment of the new mission, it will have consequences for Kosovo. “The reason why the EU has not accepted to sign an international agreement with Kosovo in this field is due to the complicated procedure of the conclusion of the agreements in the EU; therefore, the EU prefers to rely on the option of the legal basis of the resolution 1244,” said Korenica.
Ceku: Armed forces to be same as army (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo Security Force Minister Agim Ceku told RTK that NATO has no authority to make decisions about the future of KSF. “That is an autonomous decision by Kosovo institutions,” said Ceku, adding that he is convinced there will be no lack of NATO support in the process.
Asked why the force will not be called an army, Ceku said that the constitutional title is a different matter. “Every country has a different name. Eighteen out of 28 NATO countries have Armed Forces, but their nature, mission, tasks, and substance are of an army,” he is quoted.
KAF a “compromise” for reserved seats (Tribuna)
Kosovo Prime Minister will not be able to assure the members of the Kosovo Security Force during his visit on Friday that they will shortly become the Kosovo Armed Force. In order to fulfill his promise made on the anniversary of the independence of Kosovo, he would need to change Article 125 of the Constitution. Changes to the Constitution require the votes of two thirds of Albanian and two thirds of minority deputies. The latter are determined to vote for the KAF, only if reserved seats for the minorities are extended for another mandate. The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Petar Miletic, said on Thursday that even though the issues are unrelated, the moment the Constitution is opened for amendments, minority deputies would ask to fulfill their requests.
However, even if Thaçi agrees, deputies of the Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetevendosje pledged that they would not give another mandate of reserved seats to those minorities.
Tribunal decides on election agenda (Tribuna)
Local and European officials confirmed that elections in Kosovo can be held before June. However, it is impossible for the Assembly to decide on establishing the European Tribunal, which would deal with accusations deriving from Dick Marty’s report. If EU member countries, which have had many discussions on the issue this week, agree on requesting that Kosovo establish the Tribunal by the beginning of June, then there is a possibility for the current Parliament of Kosovo to reach an agreement to dissolve during March to pave the way to elections by the end of April.
EP urges EULEX to regularly report to Kosovo Assembly (Koha Ditore)
The European Parliament’s call on EULEX to increase its efficiency and transparency by reporting regularly to the Kosovo Assembly about its work has been hailed by Kosovo institutions. Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi said there has been no communication with EULEX as it is an executive mechanism and neutral to the independence of Kosovo. “We look forward to this new change,” said Krasniqi. Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci echoed that there was no meaningful communication with EULEX in the past. “Under the current mandate, EULEX does not report to Kosovo institutions but to those in Brussels,” he said.
EULEX officials were unavailable to comment on whether they will respect the European Parliament’s call to report to Kosovo institutions.
First five million go to north (Zeri)
The EU Special Representative to Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, said during a meeting with the mayors of northern municipalities that the north will receive the first five million euros of the 38.5 million that the EU has allocated for the development of the municipalities in northern Kosovo. The funds have been pledged for economic development, agriculture and civil society.