UNMIK Headlines 23 December
2015 budget approved in principle (all media)
All media report that the Assembly of Kosovo approved in principle the budget for 2015 – with 73 votes in favor, 22 against and no abstentions. The approval of the draft law came after many hours of discussion and criticism, mainly from opposition parties, but also from some MPs from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). Finance Minister Avdullah Hoti confirmed that there will be no 25% salary increase for Kosovo’s public sector, as had been promised by former Prime Minister Hashim Thaci during the election campaign.
Mustafa & Thaci together in Brussels (Epoka e Re)
Citing a reliable source, the paper reports that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci will remain closely engaged with the dialogue process on normalizing relations between Pristina and Belgrade, and accompany Prime Minister Isa Mustafa in related meetings. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced that the next meeting between the Prime Ministers of Kosovo and Serbia will be held in January.
Thaci: Serbia is de facto recognizing Kosovo in all fields (Bota Sot)
Hashim Thaci, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kosovo, is optimistic that Serbia will soon recognize Kosovo. In an interview for the Austrian daily Die Presse, Thaci said that Serbia has already de facto recognized Kosovo. “Kosovo institutions control the entire territory of Kosovo. De jure, Belgrade has no presence in Kosovo, and Serbs from the northern part of the country are part of the government and parliament,” Thaci said. Asked whether he would explicitly work with Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic on the dialogue process, Thaci said he would work with anyone who showed goodwill.
Indictments ready before the establishment of special court (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports on its front page that, when the Kosovo Assembly adopts the law on the special court, and reaches agreement with the Netherlands, that will fulfill the conditions for filing indictments based on Dick Marty’s report on alleged war crimes committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). According to a reliable source, “The law will be approved by the government soon, while all procedures are expected to be concluded within the first quarter of the next year.” Another source said that the structure and jurisdiction of the special court are mentioned in a draft law being prepared by the Ministry of Justice. However, Justice Minister Hajredin Kuci denied that this document is being finalized by his ministry.
Mustafa meets head of EULEX (Tribuna)
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, met on Monday with the head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Gabriele Meucci. Mustafa and Meucci discussed the current political situation in Kosovo, the establishment of the special court, visa liberalization and the rule of law.
Kosovo perceived as corrupt (Tribuna)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, told Radio Free Europe that Kosovo is perceived as having a corrupt society and the highest level of unemployment in Europe. Jahjaga said such issues are hindering Kosovo’s visa liberalization process. Speaking about the special court, Jahjaga said it would present the biggest challenge for Kosovo society. “Establishing the special court will reflect our determination to undertake an independent and impartial process which will deal with the accusations once and for all. This court will deal with individual cases and would never sully our battle for freedom and independence,” Jahjaga said.