Headlines - 21.04.2017

• Apostolova: Border demarcation not the only visa condition (Koha Ditore)
• PM Mustafa nominates Todosijevic for Minister (Lajmi/Bota Sot)
• Government silent on suspension of construction works in Mitrovica (Koha)
• Serbian List: None of us met Mustafa about army (Lajmi)
• Special prosecution files indictment on war crimes charges (Zeri)
• Decan historians threaten with blocking of roads (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo Media Highlights 

Apostolova: Border demarcation not the only visa condition (Koha Ditore)

Head of the EU Office in Kosovo and Special Representative, Nataliya Apostolova, said yesterday at the third meeting of the parliamentary committee Stabilisation and Association between EU and Kosovo that there are not one but two outstanding conditions for visa liberalisation. “Out of 95 conditions, 93 have been met. Only two remain: ratification of border demarcation with Montenegro and fight against corruption and organised crime. Assembly and the leadership hold the key to their implementation,” she said.

PM Mustafa nominates Todosijevic for Minister (Lajmi/Bota Sot)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, has decided to nominate Ivan Todosijevic as Minister for Local Government Administration. On this occasion, Mustafa hosted a meeting with Todosijevic and head of the Serbian List parliamentary group, Slavko Simic. Mustafa also nominated Mirjana Jevtic on the position of the Deputy Minister  of Labour and Social Welfare. In a separate article this portal reports that Todosijevic is Zvecan/Zvecani mayor nominated by the parallel structures of Serbia as well as member of Vucic’s party. The portal further brings the reaction of the Vetevendosje movement, stressing in a press release that Mustafa’s nominating of members of the illegal structures is unjustifiable and unforgiving. Bota Sot meanwhile carries the reaction from the AAK whose deputy leader Ardian Gjini wrote on Facebook that Todosijevic’s appointment was absurd and shameful. ““Prime Minister of Kosovo cannot even appoint or dismiss ministers without Serbia’s go-ahead. Furthermore, Vucic is dismissing the ministers,” Gjini wrote. 

Government silent on suspension of construction works in Mitrovica (Koha)

The government of Kosovo has not come out with a stance following the decision of the Mitrovica North municipal leadership to suspend construction works on revitalization of Rive Iber/Ibar bridge, the paper reports. Kosovo’s Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, suggested the matter be addressed to the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning which in turn did not reply to the paper. At the same time, representatives of the Albanian community in the north of Kosovo said the suspension of works is unjustifiable. “We condemn incidents but they should not be used as pretext to stop the work,” said Mitrovica North municipal advisor, Bashkim Cimili. On Wednesday, Mitrovica North Mayor Goran Rakic ordered a halt to the construction works on the bridge citing the increase of incidents in the north.

Serbian List: None of us met Mustafa about army (Lajmi)

The Serbian List has denied the claims of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, that he has negotiated with its members on creation of Kosovo’s army. Serbian List told B92 that their position remains unchanged and that they would not support Pristina on creation of the armed forces. According to Slobodan Petrovic, Kosovo institutions are using to their benefit the disagreements among the members of the Serbian List. Mustafa earlier said that he has met with members of the Serbian List to discuss creation of Kosovo’s army where he was informed that Serb representatives were conditioned and that they cannot bring decisions without Belgrade’s consent. ​ 

Special prosecution files indictment on war crimes charges (Zeri)

Special Prosecution of Kosovo filed an indictment yesterday against Z.V., former Serbian police reservist, for war crimes against civilian population committed in the village of Studime, Vushtrri/Vucitrn municipality in May of 1999. According to a press release issued by EULEX, the defendant is being accused of brutal and unlawful killings, inhuman treatment, causing immense suffering, application of measures of intimidation and terror, property confiscation, pillaging, and stealing on large scale of property that was not justified. The indictment was filed by an international prosecutor following the extradition of the defendant from Montenegro.  

Decan historians threaten with blocking of roads (Epoka e Re)

The branch of the Kosovo’s League of Historians in Decan/Decani announced that the ultimatum given to the government of Kosovo for resolving the property dispute over socially-owned property allocated to the Orthodox Monastery is set to expire today. Historians said that they would block the road leading to the Orthodox Monastery in Decan/Decani as sign of discontent with Kosovo institutions which, the historians claim, want to give away public property to the Monastery.