UNMIK Headlines 4 June
Barricade over Ibër, aimed to be removed by Thaçi and Dacic (Tribuna)
Kosovo and Serbia prime ministers, Hashim Thaçi and Ivica Dacic, can become part of a great symbolic event marking the normalization of relations between the two countries. Sources told the paper that European diplomats have suggested for the two leaders to jointly remove the barricade.
“The idea is for them to take part in the removal of the barricade over Ibër, sending messages that life in the north is going back to normal,” a European official, close to the process of dialogue, told the paper. The idea was discussed at least in the three latest meetings between the parties.
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi said, “we are willing to cooperate in the implementation of the agreement. There can be different ideas, but we expect the Serbian side to be serious in the implementation of the agreement and enable freedom of movement.”
Ratification of agreement with Serbia in the hands of the Assembly (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo Assembly Speaker, Jakup Krasniqi, said on Monday after the meeting of presidency of the Assembly that they have received the draft law for the ratification of the agreement for the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations.
According to Krasniqi, this draft law can be proposed to the legislation commission by the PDK MPs and if passed, the commission will then recommend it for ratification in the upcoming session of Kosovo Assembly. Based on the plans of next meetings, it will not be possible for the ratification to go to the Assembly this week.
Romanian PM supports recognition of Kosovo’s independence (Epoka e Re)
Prime Minister of Romania Victor Ponta said that he supports fast recognition of Kosovo’s independence but that the country’s president Traian Basescu is more cautious on the issue. “We always work in harmony because there are three institutional players: the president, the government and the parliament and it would be ideal if the positions of these three institutions were harmonized”, said Ponta.
Thaçi on official visit to Washington (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi will travel on an official visit to Washington late this week. Sources in Washington told the paper that Thaçi is expected to meet Vice President Joseph Biden and other senior officials of the State Department. Thaçi’s visit to Washington comes at the peak of dialogue with Serbia and talks about the implementation of the agreement between Thaçi and Dacic.
Pacolli richer by 130 million euro (Zëri)
Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Behgjet Pacolli has increased his assets by 130 million euro in the last year although he does not take a salary for his government post. His overall wealth is now estimated at no less than 305 million and continues to top the list of Kosovo’s wealthiest politicians. Last year, Pacolli had declared his assets at 176 million while according to the recent Anti-Corruption Agency’s list, his wealth is higher by around 130 million.
Hoxhaj does not respond to charges of intimidating judges (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj has not yet explained if he intended to intimidate judges and prosecutors when he came out in support of Ambassador Sylejman Selimi charged with war crimes. Hoxhaj’s cabinet did not comment on the issue while the Minister himself did not answer his phone.
Hoxhaj is one of the senior state officials who in various forms is considered to have interfered in the justice system. This conclusion was reached by the Appeals Court which decided to keep in detention Sylejman Selimi and others on Friday as opposed to the house arrest measure they were previously issued with. Hoxhaj’s statement and the debate at the Assembly against criminal prosecution of former KLA members was perceived by the Appeals Court as attempts at intimidation of judges and prosecutors and as political interference in the course of justice.