Headlines - 25.08.2016

• UN Security Council to debate on Kosovo today (media)
• Under the pressure of votes, against demarcation (Zëri)
• Deçan war veterans urge MPs not to vote demarcation deal (Kosova Sot)
• Krasniqi: Demarcation deal must be revised (Epoka)
• Vetëvendosje: “Pronto” clan controls the police too (dailies)
• Serbian members of government ignore official symbols and languages (Koha)

UN Security Council to debate on Kosovo today (media)

Several news websites report that the United Nations Security Council today will discuss the quarterly report of the Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, on the developments in Kosovo. Lajmi notes that in his latest report, the UN chief pays special attention to talks between Kosovo and Serbia, criticising the slow pace of implementation of agreements reached in Brussels. The report also takes note of the ongoing tensions between the government and opposition in Kosovo and that “it is hampering the normal functioning of institutions”. Some media report that one of the most significant issues of the report relates to the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, which the Kosovo Assembly has yet to ratify. Under the headline Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants reports at the UN to be annulled, Kosova Sot daily newspaper quotes Kosovo’s Deputy Foreign Minister Valon Myrtezaj as saying that the reports on Kosovo presented at the UN Security Council should be annual and not quarterly or even annulled completely. Myrtezaj is quoted as saying in Zëri: “the quarterly reports on Kosovo at the UN Security Council are losing their meaning because developments in Kosovo have already superseded Resolution 1244”.

Under the pressure of votes, against demarcation (Zëri)

The paper reports in a front-page story that the majority of Kosovo Assembly members from the Dukagjini region have publicly declared that they will vote against the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. According to political analysts, these MPs are afraid of losing votes in this region if they have to vote in favor of the demarcation deal. Kosovo Assembly Deputy Speaker, Xhavit Haliti, told the paper that based on the MPs’ statements, the ruling coalition currently does not have the necessary votes to ratify the demarcation deal.

Deçan war veterans urge MPs not to vote demarcation deal (Kosova Sot)

The organization of the former KLA war veterans in Deçan/Decani, through a press statement, has urged members of the Kosovo Assembly not to vote for the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. “Before you think about your individual privileges, you should remember our fight for freedom. You and nobody else has the right to give away parts of Kosovo territory,” reads the statement. They also warned the MPs that history will not forget their votes.

Krasniqi: Demarcation deal must be revised (Epoka)

The Imitative for Kosovo (NISMA) senior member, Jakup Krasniqi, told the paper on Wednesday that it is the obligation of Kosovo Assembly members to stop the current border demarcation deal with Montenegro. He said any form of pressure on the MPs is illegal and anti-constitutional. According to him, it is scary that Kosovo President and Prime Minister have closed their eyes to any arguments presented to them by the independent experts on demarcation. Krasniqi said the only way out of this situation would be the revision of this issue by a new commission comprised of independent experts.

Vetëvendosje: “Pronto” clan controls the police too (dailies)

Vetëvendosje Movement senior member, Ylli Hoxha, told a press conference in Pristina on Wednesday that Vetëvendosje will continue its mobilisation and protests until Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi and PDK leader Kadri Veseli resign from their posts. Commenting on the series of publications of wiretap conversations between senior PDK officials, Hoxha said it is obvious that “these people are controlling even the Kosovo Police”.

Serbian members of government ignore official symbols and languages (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that Branimir Stojanović, Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo from the Serbian List, continues to ignore the symbols of the state of Kosovo even in official communication. The paper notes that Stojanović issues communiques from his personal email address and only in Serbian. His communiques do not contain the logo or the name “Republic of Kosovo”. Neither Stojanović’s office nor the Office of the Prime Minister provided explanations about this form of communication. The paper also recalls that the law on the usage of state symbols obliges institutions to include symbols in every official document.