UNMIK Headlines 16 June
Without draft law no session on special court (Koha Ditore)
The paper reports on its front page that since the government of Kosovo has not yet submitted the draft law for the special court, the Assembly did not include in the agenda of Thursday's session the reviewing of the constitutional amendments that enable the establishment of this court. Government officials have not given details on when the draft law is expected to be submitted to the Assembly. Speaker Kadri Veseli has not excluded the possibility that the Assembly be convened for an emergency session this week.
Special court to help visa liberalization process (Zeri)
Vjosa Osmani, member of the parliamentary committee for European integration and LDK MP, said on Monday that the establishment of the special court would help the visa liberalization process for Kosovo, the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and other integration processes. She said that the rule of law is a top challenge in every integration process. "The reason why this court has to be established is unfortunately because Kosovo institutions have failed to show that they have the capacity to deal with such crimes," Osmani said.
Pristina and Belgrade to discuss Gazivoda lake in Brussels (Zeri)
The paper reports that Gazivoda Lake is expected to be one of the hot topics in the next round of Pristina-Belgrade dialogue to be held on June 23 in Brussels. According to the paper, Serbia’s Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic tends to pass this issue into the competencies of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities, but the Kosovo side is expected to oppose this. The paper also writes that both sides will be asked to move forward on past and new agreements. According to EU officials, Kosovo has delayed the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities while Belgrade has not fulfilled the promise of dissolving all the parallel structures in northern Kosovo.
Dairy farmers protest in Pristina (dailies)
A group of dairy farmers from different parts of Kosovo protested yesterday in Pristina in front of the government building against the failure of authorities to stop the illegal import of milk. Farmers complained that illegal imports are being sold at an unreasonably low price which makes it difficult for the Kosovo produce to be competitive. The Ministry of Trade and Industry issued a statement following the protest saying that it will set up a working group to look into the demands of dairy farmers.
KLA veterans to protest by blocking Pristina-Skopje road (Kosovapress)
The Council for protection of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) veterans will has called a protest for Saturday over delays in publishing the final lists of the KLA war veterans. Xhevdet Qeriqi from the Council said the veterans will block the Pristina-Skopje road since the protest in being organised by representatives in the border municipality of Kacanik. Qeriqi said the protest will begin at 12 o’clock and will last for 24 hours during which time private vehicles will be allowed to pass but not trucks carrying goods.
Outgoing Constitutional Court president to be appointed ambassador (Lajmi)
Outgoing president of the Kosovo Constitutional Court Enver Hasani is expected to be appointed Kosovo ambassador to Turkey, sources within the Foreign Ministry said. The appointment, according to sources, will take place this summer after the Hasani’s current mandate at the Constitutional Court expires on 26 June.