UNMIK Headlines 7 July
Between demarcation and visa liberalisation (Koha Ditore)
The paper reports on its front page that Kosovo’s institutions risk delaying the visa liberalisation process as the government has yet to submit for ratification to the Assembly the border-demarcation agreement with Montenegro. Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa told Koha on Wednesday: “the representatives of the people in the Assembly must address the issue of demarcation, in line with the work of the state committee, the clear position of the U.S. Department of State, the German documents and the assessments of international experts”. Kosovo’s European Integration Minister Bekim Çollaku said on Wednesday that time is running out and that the postponement of the 12 July vote in the European Parliament for visa-free travel for Kosovo is “the last call for the Kosovo Assembly to seriously address the issue”. Opposition parties meanwhile have not changed their position even after the postponed vote. The Vetevendosje Movement, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) want the demarcation agreement to be annulled. Vetevendosje representatives even blamed the Kosovo government and President Hashim Thaçi for the postponed vote.
Thaçi: EU is ready for historic decision for Kosovo (Zëri)
The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, said on Wednesday that if the border-demarcation agreement is not ratified now, visa liberalisation for Kosovo will not be discussed at the EU even in September. In an address to the people of Kosovo, Thaçi said that Kosovo is rightfully expecting visa liberalisation and added that the European Union is also ready to undertake this step. “Without implementation of this criteria, the citizens of Kosovo, will be unjustly prevented by Kosovo’s politics to move freely in the Schengen zone. Due to the non-implementation of this criteria, Brussels has postponed its decision on Kosovo until September. If demarcation is not ratified now, Kosovo will not be discussed nor will a decision be made in September,” Thaçi said.
Çollaku: We must not jeopardize visa liberalisation (Zëri)
Kosovo’s Minister of European Integration, Bekim Çollaku, during an interview with the paper urged Kosovo MPs to seriously reflect and act in the interest of the country and in the interest of the citizens of Kosovo. “The last thing we need is for our citizens to suffer the consequences of our actions, or rather in this case, non-action,” Çollaku said. According to him, now is the time for the decision-making. He said the border-demarcation agreement with Montenegro should be submitted to the Assembly and that the MPs should debate and decide based on their mandate. “We must not jeopardize the visa liberalization process. In addition to this process, we must also not harm our excellent relations with Montenegro,” Çollaku said.
Demarcation vote just before Assembly’s summer break (Kosovapress)
Although no precise date is given as to when the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro will be put up for ratification before the Kosovo Assembly, sources told the news website that this is expected to be done just before the summer break. Meanwhile, the two ruling parties - the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) – are making maximum efforts to convince all their MPs to vote in favour of ratifying the agreement and have already made significant progress in this respect, sources added.
Kosovo FM lobbies for recognition from Caribbean countries (RTK)
The news site reports that after attending the Paris Summit, Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Enver Hoxhaj, has travelled to Guyana, South America, where he will meet representatives of countries that have not recognized Kosovo’s independence. Hoxhaj will lobby for recognitions from member states of the Caricom, an organization of 15 Caribbean nations that will meet on 4-6 July in Guyana.
Veseli: Cooperation with civil society, vital for Assembly’s work (Epoka)
The President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli, said after signing the memorandum of understanding with the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) on Wednesday, that cooperation with the civic society, media and the public in general, as well as transparency and accountability, are vital for the work of the Assembly.
Probe into suspected mass grave site to begin on 13 July (Bota Sot)
Forensic authorities are expected to begin excavations into a suspected mass grave site near the Orthodox Church located inside the University of Pristina campus. Head of the Forensic Department Arsim Gërxhaliu told the paper that now that the mandate of EULEX has been extended, the preliminary probe will be conducted on 13 July.