UNMIK Headlines 8 January
The north on the table for dialogue (Koha Ditore)
One month before Kosovo marks its fifth anniversary as a state, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic will meet in Brussels on 17 January to talk about the north. The meeting facilitated by Baroness Catherine Ashton will mark the Kosovo Government’s indirect but first recognition that the north is different and its authorities, in practice, are institutions of Serbia. International analysts and diplomats have spoken about autonomy for many years, in which the north will be left as part of Kosovo, but this territory will be treated differently from other parts. According to diplomats, this is the reality in the field.
EU hopes Nikolic won’t impede dialogue (Koha Ditore)
The EU’s attention is focused on continuing the political dialogue at the senior level in the beginning of this year, where Kosovo is concerned. Commenting on Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic’s intention to enter Kosovo “from this angle”, the spokesperson for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, Maja Kocijancic, said: “Procedures regarding the visits were already agreed upon for quite some time now; the request is submitted to the EU Office in Belgrade, then it is passed to the EU’s Special Representative in Pristina, who then would contacts the authorities in Kosovo. The response goes through the same channel. The EU only acts as a facilitator of this communication.”
Kocijancic added that EULEX is not involved in this procedure, but it monitors and advises Kosovo Police on security during these visits. “Bilateral visits are part of good neighborly relations and they should take place based on the procedures set,” said officials at EU headquarters.
Serbia requests more children from Serbs (Koha Ditore)
The head of the Kosovo Office in the Serb Government, Aleksandar Vulin, congratulated Serb Orthodox believers during Orthodox Christmas celebrations. Vulin began celebrating on Sunday with Radisha Pashiq’s family in Bosniak Mahalla, in northern Mitrovica, which was followed by fireworks and celebratory shooting.
During his visit to Kosovo, for which he obtained permission, Vulin took advantage to deliver political massages. “I came here as a director of the Office for Kosovo, but first as a person to share in this joyous day with good and brave people. I have come to a place where there are many insecurities and violence,” he said.
According to Vulin, the birth of many of Serb children in Kosovo strengthens the statehood of Serbia.
Vulin expelled from Kosovo; 10 Serbs detained (Epoka e Re)
The so-called director of the Office for Kosovo in Government of Serbia, Aleksandar Vulin, according to the request from Kosovo Police, was forced to leave Kosovo on Monday afternoon. Furthermore, 10 Serbs were arrested because of ”general safety” issues; they are being detained for 48 hours.
Nikolic angry (Koha Ditore)
Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic reiterated that he wanted to spend Christmas in Kosovo. However, the international community stopped him. “The EU’s position will be a basis for negotiations […] I did not request to go to a political but religious mission, but [in Kosovo] no one believes in God,” said Nikolic. Asked whether he would request permission again, he said: “Requesting permission for something that will never be given to me, not anymore.”
Gordon: Kosovo can count on USA (Epoka e Re)
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Issues, Philip Gordon, stated that Kosovo’s territorial integrity would never be in question. “Kosovo can count on unlimited support from the USA in the dialogue process with Serbia and in its path towards Euro-Atlantic integrations,” said Gordon.
Albanians from Presevo Valley also preparing a platform (dailies)
According to FoNet, Albanians from Presevo, Medvegjë, and Bujanovc agreed to draft a united platform on Monday for the Albanians of Presevo Valley.
During a meeting, they decided to hold separate sessions of Municipal Assemblies of Presevo and Bujanovc, as well as a joint convention for Albanians of Presevo Valley. Despite a ‘hot’ debate, participants clearly showed readiness to unite regarding their positions on the monument for the fallen members of UÇPMB in Presevo.
According to these sources, they also discussed the monument in Lucan that Serbian authorities are allegedly building to honour police officers and soldiers that lost their lives in this region.
They work on the north? (Express)
Sources claim that Prime Minister Thaçi will present a proposal for the solution on northern Kosovo at the next meeting in Brussels, which include holding local elections in the northern municipalities and establishing a new municipality in northern Mitrovica. All are in accordance with Ahtisaari’s Plan. Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi, told media that he is not aware of such a document.