UNMIK Headlines 26 April
Kosovo PM Mustafa to travel to Brussels for visa liberalisation (dailies)
Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa is expected to travel to Brussels tomorrow to meet the European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker and discuss the visa liberalization for Kosovo as well as other European integration processes.
Veseli optimistic on resolving political crisis, opposition not (Epoka e Re)
The President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli, said on Monday after the meeting of the Assembly Chairmanship that opposition parties should return to the Assembly in order to take over the responsibilities that belong to them. He expressed optimism that the political parties will soon find a solution to overcome the crisis and added that communication between the coalition and the opposition parties has already begun. “There is an optimal climate that we will overcome our differences soon,” Veseli said. However, representative of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Pal Lekaj and that of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) Bilall Sherifi denied that there is an optimal climate to overcome the crisis. They said that they would not participate at the Assembly plenary session foreseen for 28 April.
After leaving Vetevendosje, Deda sets on forming his own party (Koha Ditore)
Ilir Deda, who yesterday announced he was leaving Vetevendosje Movement, is set on forming his own political party but he could still be open for partnership with his now former entity. The paper writes that there are reports Deda’s new party will include public personalities such as the former president of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, former University of Pristina rector Ramadan Zejnullahu, Gjakova/Djakovica Mayor Mimoza Kusari-Lila, Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP Vjosa Osmani, and even Pristina Mayor and Vetevendosje deputy leader, Shpend Ahmeti. Sources however told the paper that Jahjaga and Zejnullahu are not in the circle of people discussing their possible political involvement with Deda but that it is also not certain the others would join in either. “Nothing has as yet been agreed,” the source said.
Solution for telephone code expected after Serbian elections (Epoka e Re)
The end of the elections in Serbia is expected to unblock implementation of the agreement on telecommunication between Kosovo and Serbia reached in Brussels, based on which Kosovo would gain the international dialing prefix, +383. According to the agreement, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), should have issued the prefix for Kosovo on 15 March, however, the Serbian party interfered requesting more time on the matter. Head of the Board of the Electronic Communications Agency, Kreshnik Gashi, told Top Channel that they are in touch with the ITU and that they hope that the agreement will start being implemented soon.
Tahiri: We expect decision on visas (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo’s Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, is participating at the International Balkan Forum, which is being held for the eighth year now, organized by the Institute for Strategic Studies TASAM. Speaking about the Integration of the Western Balkan countries in the European Union, Tahiri said that Kosovo as a young state has marked significant success on European reforms, its policies of good neighborhood and regional cooperation. “Now we expect the decision on visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens to be made without further delays,” Tahiri said.
Vetevendosje MPs acquitted in 2012 assault case (dailies)
Vetevendosje leader Visar Ymeri and fellow MP Rexhep Selimi were acquitted yesterday by the Basic Court in Pristina of physically assaulting the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Bekim Haxhiu in 2012. The third defendant Besart Bujupi, Selimi’s driver, was found guilty and given a six-month provisional sentence. Haxhiu reacted to the court’s decision saying it was absurd whereas Vetevendosje considers the whole trial to be unfair and politically motivated.
Serb-majority municipalities shun Kosovo privatization agency (Koha)
The paper reports that Serb-majority municipalities led by the Serbian List are not cooperating with the Privatisation Agency of Kosovo (PAK) and as a result the latter was unable to complete the list of unsold assets. The EU is already engaged in facilitating communication between PAK and mayors of Serb-majority municipalities but a meeting scheduled as part of this effort failed as the Serbian List keeps insisting it will not permit, as it said, unilateral privatization. PAK officials however said they cooperate with all Kosovo municipalities but that there is room for improvement in the relations with those led by the members of the Serb community.