The Government of Kosovo during its meeting today voted to extend the mandate of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) for another two years. Days ago, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa has justified this outcome, arguing that there are still many other cases that this mission has not completed.
Kosovo’s Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning (MESP) through a press release today announced that the ministry was not informed or consulted in any moment regarding the project for building 300 houses in Zvečan/Zveçan for the Serb returnees. “The construction of this settlement cannot be done without a construction permit issued by the municipal authorities pursuant to the Municipal Development Plan and Municipal zoning map. The municipalities in northern Kosovo do not have these documents.
European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, spoke to the members of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) about EU’s expectations and the progress in Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Turkey, and Serbia. With regards to Kosovo, Hahn noted that the next challenge is implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA).
The European Union officials in Kosovo told Radio Free Europe that all the logistical and administrative steps were taken for the establishment of the special court for war crimes.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, today appointed Hajredin Kuçi in the post of Deputy Prime Minister and Enver Hoxhaj as the new Foreign Minister. Kuçi will also hold the Justice Minister post for the time being. During a joint press conference with the PDK leader Kadri Veseli, Mustafa said the changes made today will contribute to government’s efficiency and its goals.
Following the Kosovo Assembly’s move to review the draft law on population census in the north of Kosovo, the European Commission (EC) has also stressed the need for the adoption of a law that would enable the process taking place in the four northern municipalities. The EC has encouraged Kosovo institutions to invite international observers to take part in the census, says a press release, the issued by the Ministry of European Integration and the EU Office.
The results of the latest survey of UNDP’s Public Pulse show that as of September 2015, there has been a general increase in the satisfaction of Kosovars with the performance of Kosovo key institutions. However, despite the increase, the average percentage of Kosovars who are satisfied with these institutions remains low, currently at only 23%, reports the news site.
Deçan/Dečani municipality today decided to go on strike for four hours against the decision of the Constitutional Court for transferring the ownership of 23 hectares of land to Deçan/Dečani Monastery. The municipal institutions later continued with regular work during the afternoon hours.
The Committee for Gender Equality (CGE), on Monday called on the media to be an ally of powerful women, not only in politics and decision-making, but also in business and other domains. Gjylshene Berisha, head of the CGE, said the role of media in a democratic society is irreplaceable as the media can help in the promotion of successful women. “Unfortunately, men still dominate, not only in politics, but in the media as well. Research has shown that the media run by women, have given more space to women. Those run by men, were more limited,” she said.
Municipal Assembly of Deçan/Dečani held today an extraordinary meeting regarding the decision of the Constitutional Court on the properties around Deçan/Dečani Monastery. Both the coalition government and opposition assessed that except for being illegal, shameful and discriminating for Deçan/Dečani citizens the decision of the Constitutional Court among other issues, impedes economic development of this city.