Headlines - 23.03.2013

Thaçi: Serbia to give up causing tensions (dailies)

In the UN Security Council session, Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi asked Serbia to stop causing new tensions and not demand autonomy for the north and directly accused Belgrade of standing behind incidents in the north of Kosovo. Thaçi recalled that there have been at least twenty security incidents in the north over the last three months targeting staff of the Kosovo Government Administrative Office in the north.

“We have strong evidence that Serb parallel structures are behind these criminal acts in order to intimidate staff working in this office,” said Thaçi.

Speaking about the dialogue with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, Thaçi noted that he is concerned with demands of the other side for executive competencies for the association of Serb municipalities. “Such proposals have a tendency to create a new Republika Srpska in Kosovo. This would destroy all progress and incite a conflict”, said Thaçi stressing that this would not be tolerated.

“Kosovo has and continues to demonstrate that it represents European values and Kosovo’s agenda is transformed into a work plan for reaching objectives in its path towards EU”, said Kosovo Prime Minister further in his speech.

Serbian PM Dacic on his part criticized authorities in Pristina for not providing security for members of the Serb community in Kosovo. He however expressed commitment to resolve all problems through dialogue.

“Dialogue is the only possibility that Serbia sees for solving problems. We want all agreements to be implemented. We spoke in Brussels about many things. Nikolic met Jahjaga and this shows that political position of Serbia respects changeability in Kosovo, in accordance to Resolution 1244”, Dacic is quoted to have said before the Security Council.

He also reaffirmed the stance that Serbia will never recognize independence of Kosovo which he said was “self-declared”.

At the same time, Special Representative of UN in Kosovo, Farid Zarif, that the challenges that have emerged from the dialogue should be overcome through joint efforts of local and internationals. Zarif mentioned several incidents that occurred in Kosovo such as desecration of cemeteries which he said were unacceptable. However, “problems on the ground cannot derail progress made in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina”, stressed UNMIK chief.

Zëri writes that majority of states at the Security Council agreed that the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is challenging but very important for the future of the two countries. In particular, representatives of US, France and UK commended Kosovo to the progress achieved in certain fields, especially that of legislation and its commitment to exercise sovereignty in the north. They also called on Kosoov leadership to demonstrate more determination in the fight against organized crime and corruption.

UN envoy: Ongoing tensions must not derail Serbia-Kosovo talks (UN)

A senior United Nations envoy warned today that ongoing tensions and incidents on the ground must not be allowed to jeopardize the political talks between Serbia and Kosovo which have resulted in important positive developments and must be permitted to achieve their potential.

“The political dialogue is now at a critical stage, and the parties are poised to make fundamental progress,” the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Kosovo, Farid Zarif, said in a briefing to the Security Council.

“Alongside this, stability on the ground remains fragile, and is likely to continue to remain so while these talks delve into topics which are, at once, the most sensitive and the most essential,” he added.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008, but Serbia does not recognize the declaration. Tensions between ethnic Serbs and ethnic Albanians have flared up over the years, particularly in the north of Kosovo – which has an ethnic Serbian majority, unlike the rest of Kosovo, where ethnic Albanians are the majority – sparking concerns from UN officials.

Belgrade and Pristina have been engaged in high-level talks on a range of practical matters, facilitated by the European Union, with the most recent round held earlier this week in Brussels.

Mr. Zarif, who is also head of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), reported that incidents and tensions continue to occur on the ground, underscoring the need for energy and effort to be rededicated by all the international presences, alongside the negotiations.

“Simply, it is imperative that the inevitable problems and setbacks on the ground, however difficult they may be for those affected, are not permitted to undermine the atmosphere and the potential for progress in the vital political talks,” he stated.

“Far too much is at stake to permit short-term political challenges, anxieties and setbacks to put at risk the fundamental and historic opportunity which now stands before the parties. Effective, efficient and coherent work by all international presences is needed to promote and sustain the conditions in which political talks may achieve their true potential.”

He said that progress has emerged from the high-level dialogue, which has addressed complex issues such as the management of fees and duties at crossing points. Discussions have more recently shifted to addressing the matter of Serbian institutions operating within Kosovo, as well as a range of difficult issues specific to the situation of northern Kosovo.

“It is my hope, in this respect, that the parties will remain steadfast in their determination to reach acceptable compromises on these most sensitive issues and find viable solutions which will better serve the interests and aspirations of all communities living in Kosovo,” he stated.

“Concomitant with this period of encouraging political progress, significant challenges have also been faced on the ground, including adverse security incidents, as well as frequent instances of inflammatory rhetoric and posturing from different quarters,” the envoy noted.

Mr. Zarif said that the latter have not only placed “unhelpful strains” on the atmosphere for the political process, but in some cases have also threatened efforts to ensure translation of agreements into practice.

“In the face of such developments, we have joined others in continuously urging both sides, not simply to remain committed to the dialogue, but also to more actively exert leadership to temper the emotions and reactions of their respective constituencies.”

He added that for this political engagement to achieve its maximum potential, it needs to be accompanied by strenuous, constant and coherent work on the ground, both by the mandated international presences and by local leaders.

“For our part, UNMIK continues to implement a broad-based strategic review of all our activities, and to enhance functional coordination with our international partners,” he said. “Our goal is to help ensure that the political process is reflected in – as much as it is reflective of – the realities we face daily in Kosovo.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his strong support for the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina during a meeting held yesterday with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, and another held today with Hashim Thaçi, representative of the Kosovo authorities, who was also present at the Council meeting.

Mr. Ban commended both on their leadership and encouraged them to remain committed to the dialogue in order to achieve forward-looking outcomes. He also stressed the importance of further progress by the Kosovo institutions in ensuring the rule of law, human rights, the protection of minorities and of cultural and religious heritage in Kosovo.

The north aims to declare autonomy within Serbia (Tribuna)

If Belgrade agrees for the north to be integrated into the Kosovo constitutional order, local representatives in the north warn that there will unilaterally declare autonomy within Serbia’s jurisdiction. This act would we undertaken through the assembly of four predominantly Serb municipalities in the north, writes that paper.

This assembly, which Kosovo institutions consider illegal, said in the recent meeting that neither autonomy nor European region are acceptable solutions if all foresee integration in the Kosovo system.

EULEX expects political solution for rule of law in the north (Koha Ditore)

EU rule of law mission in Kosovo said in a two-page report for the Kosovo Assembly committee on internal affairs and security that rule of law in the north will not be complete for as long as a political solution between Kosovo and Serbia is not reached.

EULEX chief Bernd Borchardt said incidents in the north remain a concern for the mission and that Kosovo Police and EULEX have stepped up presence in the north to protect the local community. “Contribution in the rule of law in the northern part of Kosovo is one of the mission’s key priorities”, noted Borchardt.

Members of the parliamentary committee considered the reports more as descriptive rather that containing specific information. LDK’s Anton Çuni said EULEX has a great deal of work to do in the north and should not wait for a political solution to act while Vetëvendosje’s Rexhep Selimi said that information on the exact situation in the north should be sought from Kosovo institutions.

Petrovic: There will be no losers (Epoka e Re)

Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Slobodan Petrovic said in an interview for the paper that he hoped an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia will be reached in the next meeting of prime ministers on 2 April. However, he expressed skepticism that citizens in the north would accept a possible agreement.

“The north will oppose any agreement and it is therefore important for all of us to be sincere to them and tell them what will happen, without illusions”, said Petrovic. “Bear in mind that only after normalization of relations, this government or a future one will face serious work in all fields of development”, he added further.

Petrovic said that neither Pristina nor Belgrade want to see themselves as losers in the dialogue but “dialogue is the only process where there are no winners and losers but only those who want to enable a normal life in the region”, Petrovic is quoted.  

Hundreds protest against theft (dailies)

Several hundred citizens protested yesterday in Pristina against the Government of Kosovo accusing it of theft. Protesters chanted slogans against members of the government and demanded all officials involved in corruption be arrested. Organisers said the protests will continue in the coming days.