UNMIK Headlines 9 May
Government pledges to refrain from strategic decisions (Koha)
The paper reports on the front page that neither the Constitution of Kosovo nor laws in power contain any provision that would limit the competencies of the government after the dissolution of the Assembly. Civil society representatives remarked that in the current situation practices of good governance prevent the government from exercising competencies in different areas. Meanwhile, government officials pledged they would refrain and not make any strategic decisions aimed at securing more votes.
Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci said the Constitution of Kosovo does not foresee limitations in the tasks of the government. “This however doesn’t mean that we will not refrain, in the sense of decisions that have strategic effects. We will make decisions that guarantee the functioning of institutions and the interests of the people,” Kuci was quoted as saying.
Jahjaga invites European observers (Tribuna)
President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga has officially asked European Union to send a team to monitor upcoming general elections in Kosovo. In the letter, Jahjaga expresses commitment to undertake all necessary actions to ensure that elections are held in a free and fair manner.
“Please accept this letter on behalf of the Republic of Kosovo as an invitation for European Union observers to monitor early elections in June”, Jahjaga notes further in the letter addressed to the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Catherine Ashton.
Only ten days of election campaign (Epoka e Re)
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has decided on Thursday that political parties should have only ten days of election campaign for the early elections of 8 June. The campaign will start on 28 May and it will last until 6 June. CEC has also endorsed the operational plan for the early general elections. “At this meeting, CEC determined the structure of the council for public information and approved the invitation for nomination of the members of election councils at municipality level, which will be sent to the political parties that were represented at the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo,” informs a press release issued from the CEC.
Thaci: We start the new mission on 8 June (Epoka e Re)
Prime Minister Hashim Thaci addressed on Thursday the people saying that Kosovo needs a new mission and a leadership which has a clear vision. He made public his new mission for his third mandate of governing, after the elections of 8 June. He said that he will invest €1.5 billion in Kosovo and he will reduce unemployment. Thaci said that the intention of his mission is economic development of Kosovo. “On 8 June, we will start together the New Mission,” said Thaci.
Mustafa: We have resisted the pressure successfully (Lajm)
Leader of Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Isa Mustafa in a press conference thanked the MPs for dissolving the assembly. Mustafa said that LDK held the promise that this government will not take its mandate to the end and commended his party for resisting pressure for reserved seats.
At the same time, Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) through its spokesperson Blerand Stavileci expressed conviction that the PDK will come first in elections and reconfirmed Hashim Thaci will run for another mandate as Kosovo prime minister.
Hoxhaj asks for a visa liberalisation date and signing of SAA (Tribuna)
Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj said the EU should offer a clear perspective for integration of the Western Balkans region, particularly Kosovo. He urged the EU to proceed with signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo and set a date for when the visa liberalisation regime will be enforced. “And I believe this decision will be taken in the second half of this year”, said Hoxhaj in his word during the EU-Western Balkans ministerial conference in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Rule of law, condition for liberalisation (Lajm)
Experts of European integrations consider that enforcement of rule of law in Kosovo did not happen yet and as a consequence, there are delays in the visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Naim Rashiti, political analyst for Balkan Group for Policies, told Radio Free Europe that Kosovo continues not to show sufficient results in reforms and law enforcement. “Kosovo has made administrative step, but still the perception towards rule of law didn’t change. At the same time there is a lack of will within EU to advance the visa liberalisation process,” said Rashiti.
Outgoing government expected to sign €600 million highway deal (Koha)
The paper reports on page two that next week the outgoing government of Kosovo is expected to sign the contract with Bechtel-Enka for the construction of the Pristina-Hani i Elezit highway. The €600 million contract is expected to be executed in 42 months. The paper notes that Prime Minister and PDK leader Hashim Thaci is expected to include the construction of the highway in his election campaign. The opposition on the other hand warns that the outgoing government should not sign contracts that include financial obligations for future governments. The outgoing government also plans to push forward the project for Kosova e Re power plant and the privatization of the Brezovica ski resort, which are also rejected by the opposition.
KSF Ministry signs agreement with USA (Lajm)
The Ministry of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) yesterday signed a cooperation agreement with the US Defense Department which is aimed at establishing the foundation for future cooperation. The US media reported it remains unclear if the future Kosovo assembly would be able to pass the legislation for establishing the armed forces as it requests two thirds of votes from minority MPs.
Searching for evidence against Naser Kelmendi (Koha)
In a front-page story, the paper reports that authorities in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are searching for evidence and witnesses against Naser Kelmendi to prove allegations that he is involved in murder and international drug trafficking. Authorities however have so far failed in finding such material that would enable the prosecution to raise an indictment against Kelmendi who is being held in detention in Kosovo for more than a year. Kelmendi was arrested in May last year following an international warrant as a suspect for organized crime, murder and drug trafficking.