UNMIK Headlines 31 May
Legal changes under review in Brussels (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that working groups of Kosovo and Serbia are in Brussels since Wednesday in an effort to fulfill obligations for the implementation plan of the agreement reached on 19 April. Their main task is to present to the Implementation Committee their specific plans and timeframes for legal changes. Friday is the last day when they have to finish this task.
This is however not expected to be fulfilled in the given timeframe alike other actions that include establishment of managing group for the creation of Association; the group that will propose appointment of a police commander for the north; police director that will appoint this commander and Serbia offering an overview of finances in Kosovo.
The implementation committee has not been established yet. Deputy Prime Minister, Hajredin Kuçi told the newspaper on Thursday that it has been thought that this mechanism which would guarantee implementation of the agreement to consist from Ashton, Thaçi and Dacic. According to his version, the troika would meet rarely to follow the implementation process, while direct supervision would be done by representatives on the level of deputy prime minister from Kosovo, Serbia and EU officials.
Meanwhile, the working groups listed in the agreement have been established. Deputy Prime Minister, Kuçi said that there is no need to change the Constitution while there may be no need to change laws either.
Pacolli: Tanzania recognized Kosovo (dailies)
Tanzania is the upcoming country, which, according to Deputy Prime Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, has taken the decision to recognize Kosovo. Pacolli called on Thursday a press conference in the Kosovo Government building where he announced that recognition from this African state has been achieved as a result of his lobbying.
Pacolli said he expects that by the end of summer, at least 34 countries from African continent will have recognized Kosovo. The latest recognition from Tanzania, according to Pacolli, has raised “de facto” recognition number to 100, or 4 more than the official list of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hague: The agreement big step in ensuring peace in the region (Koha Ditore)
Serb Prime Minister, Ivica Dacic, and British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, have evaluated on Thursday that a big step has been made in the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade in ensuring stability and peace in the region, reported Radio Free Europe. In the press release published after the Dacic-Hague meeting, it is emphasized that British official said that he came to Belgrade to encourage Government of Serbia and to give support for its European path. Hague also urged efficient implementation of the agreement for normalization of relations achieved in Brussels between Belgrade and Pristina.
Serbia accepts political defeat vis-a-vis Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore reports that Macedonia has confirmed that Serbia has withdrawn the request where it insists that Kosovo’s foreign minister should not take part in the in the summit of the minister of the region in Ohrid.
The decision came after Macedonia already canceled the first summit that was scheduled to take place in Ohrid, that of presidents, due to few countries canceling their participation because of the failure to invite Kosovo president.
One diplomatic source said that Serbia’s change of the position “has left Macedonia in the mud” and that with this, “Serbia indirectly recognizes the defeat vis-a-vis Pristina and the majority of regional countries”.
After the failure of the Summit of the presidents of the region and pressure from the majority of countries in the region, Serb state has changed the position in connection with the participation of Kosovo Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, in the meeting of the ministers of the region, planned to be held on 31 May, in Ohrid.
US disappointed with cancelation of Ohrid summit (Zëri)
US State Department reacted following the cancellation of South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) summit in Ohrid expressing disappointment over the missed opportunity for the countries in the region to discuss challenges. “USA is not a member of SEECP but we will support ideals and goals of this process”, officials from the State Department said. They added that Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov worked hard to organise a positive and productive summit and that it is unfortunate that leaders of the region missed on the opportunity.
Jahjaga: Boycott does not serve peace (Lajm)
The Spokesperson of Kosovo President, Arbën Vllahiu, stated for Radio Free Europe that the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, expresses her regret over the annulment of the Ohrid SEECP Summit due to the lack of respect of the principle of inclusiveness and enlargement.
“Non-invitation of the Republic of Kosovo at the regional Summit is not considered a contribution to the achievements made so far in the region and the building of cooperation with determination for more than a decade. Bypassing the Republic of Kosovo from regional initiatives does not contribute to the neighborly relations and does not serve peace and stability or the process of European integrations,” said Vllahiu.
LDK rejects Vetëvendosje! (Zëri)
The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has rejected a request from Vetëvendosje which called for non-ratification of the Brussels agreement in Kosovo’s Parliament. LDK MPs said they would act independently from Vetëvendosje, implying that they will vote in favor of the agreement.
LDK parliamentary group chief Ismet Beqiri said the LDK would not be influenced by anyone’s positions, including Vetëvendosje. “We are not influenced by the positions of others, we have our own positions. We are surely in favor of cooperation, but not imposition from another political party or vice versa,” Beqiri was quoted as saying.
AAK supports ratification of agreement (Tribuna)
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) said it would support the ratification of the Brussels agreement in Parliament. AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj said on Thursday that his party would support the agreement. “There is no need to amend any law; we will support the ratification of the agreement,” he added.
Commenting on recent surveys that rank AAK as the fourth biggest party in Kosovo, Haradinaj said the authors of the surveys were wrong, adding that the situation on the field does not match the surveys’ findings. “The best survey will happen on election day,” Haradinaj added.
MPs call on EULEX to investigate crimes committed by Serbia (Koha Ditore)
Members of the Kosovo Assembly expressed concern over the recent arrests of former KLA commanders accused of war crimes. Recalling the massacres committed by Serb forces against Albanian civilians, the MPs said the perpetrators of these crimes remain free while KLA leaders are being arrested under the sole aim of criminalizing its war.
We want resolution not only debate (Epoka e Re)
Preshevo mayor, Ragmi Mustafa, has requested Kosovo Assembly to come up with e resolution at the end of the debate that will be held on Friday which would oblige the Government of Kosovo to advance the rights of Albanians at this part.
In an interview for Epoka e Re, he said that Albanians in Preshevo Valley should enjoy the same rights as Serbs in the north of Kosovo. “I consider that it should be insisted continuously until the agreement and understanding of the international community to resolve the problem of the Albanians at the Preshevo Valley, since the international community has already assessed that it is a problem that should be resolved”, said Mustafa.