Headlines - 04.09.2013

Amnesty law in accordance with constitution, except few articles (dailies)

Koha Ditore reports on the front page that the Constitutional Court of Kosovo with a majority of votes has declared the law on amnesty as constitutional, with the exception of few articles. The Court issued a press release on Tuesday saying that procedures for the approval of this law were in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo. The Vetëvendosje Movement and the parliamentary committee for legislation said they would analyze the decision of Constitutional Court. The Court however did not comment on the constitutionality of the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. The court decided not to interpret if the first agreement of principles which regulates the relations between Kosovo and Serbia is in violation with Kosovo’s constitution. The court said this issue was not in its jurisdiction.

Thaçi supports removal of symbol from ballots (Tribuna)

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi said on Tuesday that he supports the decision of the Central Election Committee (CEC) calling it constitutional and legal. He said that he does not comment in the decision of this institution, while, according to him, CEC is an independent institution. “I cannot comment decisions of CEC, because CEC is an independent institution, but Kosovo Government supports the decisions of CEC, which are constitutional and legal,” Thaçi said.

Constitutional Court could postpone local elections (Tribuna)

The decision of Kosovo’s Central Election Committee on voting ballots could end up at the Constitutional Court and if the latter decides to review it, the November 3 local elections could be postponed for several weeks. The Vetëvendosje Movement is preparing a request for the Constitutional Court to review the CEC decision. Constitutional experts told the paper that the Court should accept the case.

Halbauer: Blockade in the north will lose its meaning (Epoka)

In a farewell press conference in Pristina yesterday, General Volker Halbauer, commander of KFOR peacekeeping troops, did not give a date when barricades in the northern part of the country could be removed. Halbauer said barricades would lose their meaning as a result of political dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

COMKFOR said the security situation in northern Kosovo is tense but quiet and stable. “KFOR will support the political process in order to organize free and democratic elections on November 3,” Halbauer said.

Çeku and Mustafa candidates for Pristina mayor (dailies)

Agim Çeku from the Democratic Party of Kosovo and Isa Mustafa from the Democratic League of Kosovo, are the two candidates of the biggest parties that will candidate for the mayor of Pristina municipality in the local elections of 3 November. While PDK has officially announced the candidature, LDK is expected to do so today. PDK leader and Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi said Çeku was selected “as a result of many analysis and consultations with important personalities and opinion makers in Pristina.”  The current Minister of Kosovo Security Forces, Agim Çeku, assessed that it is still early to reveal priorities; however he stated that he will win the battle for Pristina. He promised that as PDK candidate, he will bring “the European spirit” in Pristina.

Repetin: Kosovo awaits a difficult way towards EU integration (Koha)

The Government of Kosovo should undertake reforms with which the citizens of Kosovo might not agree completely, reforms that concern the integrating process of the country in the European Union. French Minister for European Issues, Thierry Repetin, stated that Kosovo’s road for integration at EU, will be very difficult. According to him, Kosovo executive should make long term decision towards the EU integration vision. “I am telling you that the road is difficult. Many structural reforms are required from the Government, which will be perhaps difficult to explain to the population, because the population always expects direct answers. You have a difficult portfolio and you should look at your decisions in a more distant specter,” said Repetin on Monday, after the meeting with the Minister for European Integration, Vlora Çitaku.