UNMIK Headlines 25 March
Mogherini: Clarifying accusations against EULEX is in our interest (Koha)
The paper runs an interview with Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, on the eve of her visit to Kosovo and Serbia. Mogherini said clarifying accusations of corruption in the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) is in her interest as High Representative and also in the interest of the mission and the Common Security and Defence Policy. “In the very first days of my mandate I decided to address this issue in the most open and transparent way possible, in full compliance with the principles of the European Union. We need to shed light on all these developments,” she said. Mogherini also said that Kosovo is on the right track and should be in a position to sign the Stabilization/Association Agreement with the European Union soon. “However, our focus now is on reforms and I mean economic, social and political reforms. The full normalization of relations with Serbia. These are challenges that need to be addressed without delay,” she added.
Mustafa: Special court will address Dick Marty’s accusations (Bota Sot)
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, while attending the Women’s Week on Wednesday in Pristina, was asked if the special court will also address sexual crimes that happened during the Kosovo conflict. Mustafa said that the special court will address accusations deriving from Dick Marty’s report. “I don’t know if that includes sexual crimes, as none of us knows which cases the special court will address,” Mustafa said. Mustafa also said that he expects the Serbian List to return to Kosovo institutions soon. “We are in a situation where Serbs are not able to exercise their rights because for everything, they need to ask Belgrade. Now they are left in between Belgrade and Pristina,” he said.
Jahjaga promulgates law against “jihad” (dailies)
President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, on Wednesday decreed the Law that prohibits the participation of people from Kosovo in foreign wars. Jahjaga was quoted as saying in a press release: “Kosovo is a country of tolerance and respect for religious and cultural diversity, with a clear intention to become part of the democratic world. All security mechanisms in Kosovo are doing their work in preventing Kosovo citizens from participating in foreign wars.”
Dacic: Association of Serb municipalities, more than an NGO (Koha)
Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told Serb reporters yesterday in Pristina that the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities cannot have the role of a non-governmental organization. At the same time, Dacic recalled that during the Brussels talks, the Pristina authorities have opposed the idea of Serbs in Kosovo being organized along the model of Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to him, a solution should be found in between the two models.
Kosovo Ombudsperson to be selected today (Epoka e Re)
The Assembly of Kosovo, during its regular session today, is expected to select the Kosovo Ombudsperson. In the race for Ombudsperson are: Mazllum Baraliu, Susan Noberdaliu, Shqipe Mala and Veton Vula. According to the Law on the Ombudsperson, the Ombudsperson is selected by the majority vote of all MPs and will have a five-year term.