UNMIK Headlines 25 November
PM Mustafa requests EU’s help on demarcation with Montenegro (Epoka)
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, announced on Tuesday that he has requested the support of the European Union to provide professional expertise for the border demarcation process between Kosovo and Montenegro. Mustafa said he will make the same request to the United States of America, in order to assess the procedure of the demarcation of this border line in the presence of experts of the government committee and experts from the opposition.
AAK welcomes Mustafa’s proposal on demarcation (Zeri)
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) issued a press release on Tuesday welcoming Prime Minister Isa Mustafa’s proposal, who has requested the support of the European Union for the border demarcation with Montenegro. “Prime Minister Isa Mustafa today came with a new proposal about the possibility of resolving the issue of border demarcation with Montenegro. Although we don’t have details of his proposal yet, we welcome his willingness to reflect on the issue,” the press release said.
O’Connell calls on opposition to return to Assembly (dailies)
The United Kingdom Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, yesterday called on the opposition parties to renounce violence and return to the Assembly. He said that no one should step on institutions that Kosovo built with so much sacrifice. According to him, the political parties should respond to President Atifete Jahjaga’s call for political dialogue to resolve the current crisis. He also added that unemployment, the economic situation, corruption and a weak system of rule of law remain the main challenges facing Kosovo. O’Connell made these statements after meeting Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli on Tuesday.
Grabovci: Opposition to submit their requests in a reasonable way (Zeri)
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary chief, Adem Grabovci, told the paper on Tuesday that the Assembly Presidency has decided that the next Assembly session will be held next week in order to give the opposition time to rethink their position and to submit their requests in a reasonable way. “We are constantly inviting the opposition to return to the Assembly. The Presidency will convene again on Monday and will wait for a response from the opposition,” Grabovci said. Meanwhile, Vetevendosje Movement MP, Rexhep Selimi, said that the one who should reflect on this matter is the government.
“Kosovo is on its way towards EU membership” (Zeri)
Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaci, during his visit to Berlin yesterday participated in a conference organized by the Aspen Institute and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Germany and Italy. During his speech, Thaci stressed that the Balkans countries are now officially on the path towards EU integration. “Kosovo has also signed the SAA with the EU, which means that now we are all on the way to EU membership,” he added. Thaci also met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier who assured him that Germany will continue to strongly support Kosovo in all areas.
Thaci: Opposition to refrain from violence on 28 November (RTK)
Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaci called on the opposition parties to refrain from violence during the protest announced for 28 November. Thaci said the opposition’s violence is damaging Kosovo and slowing down the European process.
AAK slams court’s decision to uphold detention for MP Kadaj (Kosova Sot)
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has criticized the decision of the Appeals Court to uphold a 30-day detention period for the party MP Donika Kadaj. In a statement, the AAK said that the decision is politically motivated and represents a step towards a dictatorial system. “We will continue demanding her release because she cannot be held responsible for her political actions in the Assembly that consisted in the protection of the Republic of Kosovo’s territory and the Constitution,” the party said.
Kerry to visit Kosovo on 2 December (Klan Kosova)
The U.S. State Department informed on Tuesday that the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, will visit Kosovo on 2 of December. Kerry is scheduled to meet Kosovo’s most senior leaders to discuss bilateral relations and current problems which concern the Balkans. Prior to arriving to Kosovo, on 30 November, Kerry will land in Paris to participate together with President Obama at the Summit for climate changes COP-21. After Kosovo, Kerry will visit Serbia.
KOSID: “Kosova e Re” power plant, 30% increase in energy prices (Kallxo)
Representatives of the Kosovo Civil Society Consortium for Sustainable Development (KOSID) told reporters on Tuesday that the construction of the new power plant “Kosova e Re” will result in a 30% increase in energy prices. KOSID representatives argued that the Kosovo government made non-transparent decisions that will damage Kosovo’s interest. “The decision of the government shows that the latter lacks a proper approach to resolve the problem of the energy sector,” KOSID coordinator Visar Azemi told reporters. He also added that the investment in the new power plant is expected to go over €1 billion and that families on social welfare will not be able to pay for the new prices. Rinora Gojani, from the INDEP Institute, said the Assembly of Kosovo as the highest decision-making institution was ignored during the process. The news site recalls that last week the Kosovo Ministry for Economic Development said that Contour Global, a US company, is the preferred bidder for the construction of the 500Kw power plant.