Headlines - 11.01.2017

• Kosovo Assembly fails to pass resolution on Haradinaj’s detention (dailies)
• Serbia submits extradition request for Haradinaj (Kosova Sot/Koha)
• Kocijancic: Kosovo and Serbia should step up judicial cooperation (Bota Sot)
• Haradinaj’s case mentioned also at the UN (gazetaexpress)
• Thaçi, Engel: Haradinaj’s arrest scandalous, Serbia abusing Interpol (Lajmi)
• Pan-national protest for Haradinaj today (gazetaexpress)
• Explosive device thrown at government building in Mitrovica North (Metro)
• Border demarcation not in government’s agenda for 2017 (Koha Ditore)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Kosovo Assembly fails to pass resolution on Haradinaj’s detention (dailies)

After a lengthy debate yesterday, Kosovo legislators failed to pass a resolution regarding the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj, held in detention since 4 January by French authorities on an arrest warrant issued by Serbia. While both ruling coalition and opposition MPs were unanimous in claiming Haradinaj’s arrest was unacceptable, they split over the voting of the resolution which not only called for Haradinaj’s immediate release but also for halting dialogue with Serbia. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) opted against the resolution but did nevertheless sponsor another resolution late in the evening which, according to Koha Ditore, was not even read out. 

Serbia submits extradition request for Haradinaj (Kosova Sot/Koha)

The papers quote reports from the Serbian media as saying that authorities in Belgrade have submitted to their French counterparts request for extradition of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj. Toma Fila, lawyer in Serbia, told news agency Tanjug that the indictment against Haradinaj contains charges that were not included in the one before the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) which found Haradinaj not guilty.

Kocijancic: Kosovo and Serbia  should step up judicial cooperation (Bota Sot)

The European Commission foreign policy spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, told reporters in Brussels that European perspective for the region is the only way to move forward and called on all parties to maintain a climate conducive to “normalcy and security.” Kocijancic reminded Kosovo and Serbia of the cooperation between law enforcement agencies and judicial mechanisms that in the case regarding the detention of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj must be accelerated. 

Haradinaj’s case mentioned also at the UN (gazetaexpress)

The issue of Ramush Haradinaj’s detention by French police was mentioned also at the UN, respectively at the Office of the UN Secretary-General. His Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stressed in a briefing for reporters that “Interpol is an independent body and it is not part of the UN.” “The United Nations support the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia,” he said. He also added that decisions of The Hague Tribunal, from where Haradinaj was proved innocent twice, are valid. 

Thaçi, Engel: Haradinaj’s arrest scandalous, Serbia abusing Interpol (Lajmi)

Kosovo’s President, Hashim Thaçi took to Facebook to inform about his meeting with the U.S. Congressman, Eliot Engel. He also informed that they have issued a joint statement, where they say that Serbia’s abuse with the Interpol system which led to the arrest of Ramush Haradinaj, is scandalous. “We appeal to France to urgently process the case and return him in his country, Kosovo, as soon as possible,” a jointet statement read. “The United States of America and the European Union should hold Serbia responsible for the abuse of Interpol. The process of Serbia’s membership at the EU should be halted until the moment Serbia continues its obligation of normalization of the relations with Kosovo. The U.S. should also let Belgrade know that bilateral relations will be affected if Serbia does not return to the constructive path.”

Pan-national protest for Haradinaj today (gazetaexpress)

A pan-national protest will be held today for the release of the former Prime Minister of Kosovo and current leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj, who was arrested by French police last week based on an arrest warrant from Serbia, issued in 2014.  The protest with the motto “Against insult and injustice” will start at 11:55 and it will be held in Prizren, Gjilan, Mitrovica, Gjakovë and Ferizaj. 

Explosive device thrown at government building in Mitrovica North (Metro)

An explosive device was thrown last night at the government building in Mitrovica North, inaugurated two weeks ago. The explosion caused only material damage. The news was confirmed by the deputy regional commander of the police for the north of Kosovo, Besim Hoti. 105 people are planned to work for fifteen ministries and central agencies of Kosovo at this facility. On the day of inauguration, Kosovo’s Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri said that “Kosovo is extending its sovereignty in northern part of the country.” 

Border demarcation not in government’s agenda for 2017 (Koha Ditore)

The paper reports on the cover that based on the legislative programme for 2017, the government of Kosovo doesn’t plan to submit to the Assembly the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. The government’s programme for this year lists 79 draft laws that need to be submitted to the Assembly for endorsement but makes no mention of the border demarcation draft law. However, the programme does include the amendment of laws relating to transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Kosovo Armed Force (KAF).