UNMIK Headlines 24 December
Two days for membership talks, Serbia continues dialogue with Kosovo (Koha)
The paper’s Brussels-based correspondent reports that Kosovo and Serbia prime ministers will hold their next meeting on January 19. It has already become tradition that whenever Serbia needs a step forward in its European integration process, a new round of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia begins. EU High Representative Catherine Ashton confirmed what others have often said officially, that during the process of dialogue no one asked Serbia to recognize Kosovo’s independence. But Serbia, aware of how much it has advanced in its European path thanks to dialogue, wants to leave a good impression. This is why the next round of talks will be held only two days before Serbia starts membership negotiations with the European Union.
Europeans concerned with Thaci’s approach toward EULEX (Tribuna)
The paper reports on the front page that European officials are concerned with the efforts of the Kosovo Government to take executive competencies from EULEX in June next year.
The resolution of Kosovo’s Parliament for the conclusion of the EU mission and statements by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and other government officials every time EULEX conducts war crimes investigations, are seen as direct efforts by the government to get rid of the EU rule-of-law mission.
“The Government is trying to use the process of EULEX restructuring as an opportunity to get rid of this mission,” a senior European official, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the paper. “The mission can change its form but not the content. The content is made up of objectives to address serious cases, such as organized crime, corruption and also war crimes.”
Commenting on the way that the government is using parliament and public statements to attack EULEX, the foreign diplomat said, “do you know what Berlusconi, Thaci and other wing of the former KLA have in common whenever they undertake such actions? Both parties use parliament, the political power and public statements to attack the justice system in an attempt to intimidate the system.”
Pristina pleads to the North: Postpone inauguration (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo’s Ministry of Local Governance and Administration has sent a letter to four new mayors of the north asking them to postpone holding inaugural ceremonies on Tuesday as they have not yet met the necessary requirements. “Despite the progress in contrast to the last time, legal criteria for holding the session have not yet been fulfilled and we asked for preparations to continue”, said the Ministry’s Secretary Besnik Osmani.
On Tuesday, Serbian news agency Tanjug quoted elect mayor of North Mitrovica Krstimir Pantic as saying that he will send out new invitations to members of the municipal assembly which will be status neutral.
Pantic: I will not send out new invitations (Zëri)
New mayor of North Mitrovica, Krstimir Pantic, said he respected Brussels Agreement when he sent out invitations to the municipal assembly counselors. “It is not good that Pristina through the EU is trying to undermine all efforts in implementation of the agreement and the Brussels agreement itself. I will not send out new invitations and I expect that on 24 December, all 19 counselors will give their solemn statements that are status neutral”, said Pantic.
Dacic, Ashton, and Thaçi – Nobel Peace Prize candidates? (Koha Ditore)
A group of four US congressmen have proposed Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, Serbia’s Ivica Dacic and EU High Representative Catherine Ashton be awarded Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. The congressmen argued that the April Agreement marked a dramatic and historic turning point for Kosovo, Serbia as well as the Balkans region.
Border theft (Tribuna)
Citizens who travel through Serbia to other countries, with Kosovo documentation, are being mistreated by Serbian border police, who are requesting bribe, in order to issue white A4 papers, according to the Agreement for free movement. This is the only document that Kosovo citizens should present to Serbian authorities while traveling to or through Serbia. These illegal payments have alarmed Pristina authorities, who have requested help from Brussels for correct implementation. Kosovo’s Minister of Interior, Bajram Rexhepi, stated that the situation would improve from tomorrow.
LDK and Vetëvendosje announce boycott of Assembly session (Koha Ditore)
Opposition parties, Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetëvendosje Movement, have announced they are to boycott upcoming session of the Kosovo Assembly which is expected to review the draft budget for 2014 including privatisation of Kosovo Post and Telecom.
“If the draft law for 2014 budget is reviewed together with amendment 8 which deals with privatisation of 75 percent of PTK shares, we will not stay in the room”, said head of LDK parliamentary group Ismet Beqiri.
Similarly, head of Vetëvendosje parliamentary group Visar Ymeri said they will undertake all necessary measures to oppose approval of the draft law. “Boycott may be one of the measures”, he said.