Head of the Kosovo-based think tank FOL, Petrit Zogaj, said today that the EU rule of law mission (EULEX) has failed in fighting corruption and organised crime in Kosovo. He said that in the seven years since being established, the mission had only taken 47 court decisions in cases of organised crime and corruption.  According to FOL, EULEX’s poor performance has increased the mistrust of the people in the justice institutions.

Former Vetevendosje leader and Kosovo Assembly member, Albin Kurti, participating in today’s opposition protest, told reporters that “this spring will mark the rebirth of democracy in Kosovo”. “We want independence with sovereignty and economic development. We want corruption to be uprooted starting with the government … Today’s protest will be peaceful,” Kurti was quoted as saying.

Kosovo’s Minister without portfolio, Edita Tahiri, participated in an international conference organized by UN Women that was held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 11 and 12 February. The conference was attended by representatives of governments and civil society of the countries of Europe and Central Asia that are committed to the women’s agenda for peace and security.

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) said in a press release that last night’s arrests of Vetevendosje spokesperson Frasher Krasniqi and the head of Vetevendosje parliamentary group Glauk Konjufca ahead of the opposition’s protest tomorrow demonstrate the strong link between the government and law enforcement authorities. The AAK said the timing of Krasniqi’s and Konufca’s arrest is no coincidence, particularly as it relates to allegations several years’ old.

The Norwegian Ambassador to Kosovo, Jan Braathu, said today that opposition parties in Kosovo must adhere to rules and regulations and not decide on the future on their own. “The opposition should follow the Constitution and laws of Kosovo. There is no European country where the minority opposition demands or sets elections. We are not against anyone but please respect the rules,” Braathu said after a meeting with Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli. “Kosovo needs to have a president, but it must be done in coordination with institutions.

During a conference on “Increased Participation of Marginalized Groups in Kosovo” today, the Ambassador of the United States in Kosovo, Greg Delawie, said that everyone has a responsibility to ensure that all groups are able to exercise their full rights. “When people are pushed to the margins of society, they have a much more difficult time exercising their economic, political, cultural, and social rights. This exclusion constrains economic development and undermines the democratic process.

In a meeting with representatives of Kosovo civil society, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci spoke about the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the border demarcation with Montenegro. “With regards to the Association, the Government of Kosovo respects the decision of the Constitutional Court which noted that certain elements of the principles for its establishment are not in line with the spirit of the Constitution.

Kosovo’s Minister for European Integration, Bekim Collaku, met with ambassadors of EU member states today and briefed them on the implementation of the eight outstanding requirements on the visa liberalization road map and the steps Kosovo institutions will take in the coming weeks. EU ambassadors are reported to have acknowledged the commitment of Kosovo institutions to the process and reaffirmed the support of their respective countries.

Kosovo Assembly MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Vjosa Osmani, known as one of the criticizing voices against the PDK-LDK coalition, confirmed once again that she will object Hashim Thaqi’s candidacy for the President of Kosovo. “I am not aware of how the other deputies will act, but it is important for each of us to act according to our convictions and conscience, and in line with the will of the electorate,” Osmani said.

Keys to 52 houses were handed over yesterday to the families of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) communities in Gjakova/Djakovica. The donation was part of the project for housing and integration of RAE communities. Representatives of the project partners said that through this project over 800 people of RAE communities had been offered houses. Mayor of Gjakova/Djakovica, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, said this project reflects equality for everyone. “Today with great pleasure we are closing a project, a work that reflects equality.