UNMIK Headlines 29 July
Veseli: There should be common approach on demarcation issue (VoA)
Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli during an interview with Voice of America said that there should be a common approach to the issue of border-demarcation with Montenegro. “Marking the border is a strategic issue which strengthens Kosovo’s independence and identity,” he said. Veseli also added that Kosovo will not lose any land with the demarcation agreement, but according to him, there should be no emotional manipulation because it is a very important issue. “We must conclude the issue of marking the borders with our neighbors, especially with Montenegro, because it was among the first country that recognized us and we should maintain good relations. At the same time we must strengthen relations with the international community,” he added. In regards to Pristina-Belgrade dialogue, Veseli said the process of dialogue will continue, but according to him, in future the dialogue should be more concrete, and Serbia must implement the agreements reached so far. “In the case of Association of Serb-majority municipalities, we will not move forward without removing the barricade over the Ibar River Bridge,” he said.
Haziri: Demarcation doesn’t save anyone from special court (Zëri)
The deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lutfi Haziri, told the paper that the issue of border-demarcation with Montenegro is being politicized. According to him, this would have to be simply a technical process in which experts would have their last say. However, Haziri admits that the issue of demarcation is related to the special court for war crimes. “Demarcation cannot save people from special court, as the court will deal with individuals, not organizations,” Haziri said, adding that Kosovo has to emerge from this post-liberation transition. In regards to the demarcation debate to be held on 3 August, Haziri said this debate should provide solutions, while he doesn’t oppose even the idea that the matter be sent to the international arbitration, as a last resort.
UNMIK chief visits Mitrovica North (Klan Kosova)
Mitrovica North Mayor Goran Rakić and the executive head of the municipal administration Adriana Hodzić met yesterday the head of UNMIK Zahir Tanin and his team. The meeting is said to have focused on the current situation in the municipality whereby Rakić and Hodzić briefed the UNMIK delegation with the security and economic situation, KIM radio reported.
EULEX to transfer major cases to Kosovo institutions (Koha)
Under the new mandate with less staff, EULEX is expected to hand over to Kosovo institutions most of the cases it is currently involved in and will only retain two or three major ones, sources inside the EU mission told KTV. Some of the cases that are likely to be tried by local judges will include that against the mayor of Skenderaj/Srbica Sami Lushtaku, PDK MP Azem Syla, and Prizren mayor Ramadan Muja.
Arbitration court orders Kosovo to pay €5 mill in compensation (dailies)
The arbitration court in Paris has ordered the institutions of Kosovo to pay almost €5 million to an Austrian company that was commissioned to print out biometric passports for Kosovo. The court concluded that Kosovo is legally responsible for early terminating the contract with the Austrian company and delayed outstanding payments to it. Kosovo institutions have to pay the compensation within a 14-day deadline. The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, said the fine is “yet another blow to the citizens’ pockets” and should be paid by Kosovo government’s officials.