UNMIK Headlines 14 January
Revote for mayor of northern Mitrovica (Koha)
The paper reports on the front page that the Government of Kosovo has decided to hold a revote for the mayor of northern Mitrovica. After receiving a report from the Ministry for Local Government, the government concluded on Monday that the inauguration of the four northern municipalities were held in compliance with Kosovo laws, with the exception of the mayor of northern Mitrovica, Krstimir Pantic, who refused to take the oath. The law provides that extraordinary elections can be held no later than 45 days. Unnamed sources told the paper that the revote for the mayor of northern Mitrovica is expected to take place on February 23rd. “Between Sunday, February 16th, and Sunday, February 23rd, the latter date is considered more appropriate because the first date is only one day before the Day of the Declaration of Independence – February 17th,” the source said.
The paper also runs a media statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Pristina. “The United States Embassy congratulates all the recently elected mayors and municipal assembly members who were officially inaugurated over the past month. These inaugural sessions highlight the success of Kosovo’s electoral process, and demonstrate the readiness of democratically-elected municipal leaders to serve their communities, in accordance with Kosovo law and within Kosovo’s institutional framework. We are monitoring the process in North Mitrovica and expect that the citizens of North Mitrovica will ultimately have a democratically-elected mayor inaugurated in a manner that is both consistent with Kosovo law and in the long-term interests of everyday citizens. Inauguration of these local leaders marks a significant step forward for Kosovo and implementation of the April 19 dialogue agreement. As before, the United States thanks the EU for its continued leadership in working with the Governments of Kosovo and Serbia to normalize their relations. The Embassy will continue to support this process and will work to help duly-elected municipal leaders improve the lives of citizens in their communities.”
Zbogar: I am only an observer (Tribuna)
The EU Representative in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, did not want to assess if constitution of the municipality assemblies in the north has violated the Constitution of Kosovo. During the press conference, after his meeting with Pristina mayor, Shpend Ahmeti, Zbogar stated that the respective ministry should respond to this question. “My role here is only to observe and help to make this country a better one,” said Zbogar. He discussed with Ahmeti the possibility of cooperation and implementation of the joint projects with the European Union. However, he congratulated the new municipal mayors after their pledge. “We congratulate the new mayors of Leposavic, Zubin Potok and Zveçan, who took over the duty on Saturday, in accordance with the low on local self-government and Brussels Agreement,” said Zbogar.
Last efforts on dialogue (Tribuna)
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi and that of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, are expected to hold their next meeting in Brussels on 28 January, which will be once again mediated by Baroness Catherine Ashton. Prior to this, the technical teams of Pristina and Belgrade should prepare reports on the implementation of the 19 April Agreement, with a special stress on constitution of municipal assemblies in the municipalities with Serb majority. Sources from the Government said to this daily that repetition of election in northern Mitrovica will impact constitution of the Association of Serb Municipalities. According to them, this is the reason for the delay of the meeting of the two Prime Ministers which should have taken place on 17 January.
Hyseni: Kosovo made unacceptable concessions in the dialogue (Epoka e Re)
Former Kosovo’s Foreign Minister and senior official from the Democratic League of Kosovo, Skender Hyseni, told the paper that Kosovo side has made unacceptable concessions in the dialogue with Serbia. “This diplomacy has agreed for including Resolution 1244 in the footnote and this was the biggest strategic mistake Kosovo made as an independent country”, said Hyseni.
Vetëvendosje criticizes Prizren meeting (Epoka e Re)
Vetëvendosje deputy leader Glauk Konjufca criticized the joint meetings of Kosovo and Albanian governments in Prizren on Saturday, saying that it had nothing to do with national unification. Konjufca, who is deputy speaker of the Kosovo Parliament, said the two governments ridiculed Presevo Valley by allocating €100.000 for Albanians there. “Albanians from Presevo Valley gave millions and many of them even their lives during the war in Kosovo, whereas our countries are ridiculing them. On the other hand, Serbia, on an annual basis, invests at least €50 million for Kosovo Serbs,” Konjufca added.
Vetëvendosje calls on state prosecutor to investigate PTK (dailies)
Representatives from the Vetëvendosje Movement requested the state prosecution to launch as soon as possible investigations into privatisation of Kosovo Post and Telecom (PTK) as well as all projects in the telecommunication field. The call was made by Ismet Hamiti who has had a professional career with International Telecommunication Union for thirty years.
Hamiti suggested that before it can be privatized, PTK management should be changed as the current one has “criminal tendencies” to destroy this enterprise. Furthermore, he stressed that there can be no privatisation without Kosovo getting its international prefix.
Thaci and Limaj reconcile (Lajm)
Sources told the newspaper that MP Fatmir Limaj attended on Monday the meeting of the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) which was chaired by party leader Hashim Thaci. The same source said that after the meeting, Thaci and Limaj had a brief tête-à-tête meeting in the parliament building.