The employees of the Basic Prosecutor’s office, now part of a unified Kosovo justice system, are satisfied with the beginning of work, but they have warned about the big backlog of cases, reports Radio Free Europe (RFE).
Radio Free Europe reports that after more than two years since being signed, the justice agreement between Pristina and Belgrade is finally beginning to be implemented in the north of Kosovo. This is hoped will end the activity of parallel courts in the northern municipalities which until now worked based on Serbia’s legislation.
The government of Kosovo has refuted the statement of Serbian Foreign Minister, Ivica Dacic, that Suriname has withdrawn recognition of Kosovo calling it a speculation. Halil Matoshi, media advisor to Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, said relations with Suriname are good and there is no recognition withdrawal. “The international law does not foresee de-recognition or withdrawal of recognition,” Matoshi said.
Voters in Kosovo are heading to the polls on October 22 in an election to choose mayors and councilors in 38 municipalities, in another step in the young republic’s effort to solidify its democratic credentials.
European Commission has expressed regret over delays in implementation of the justice agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels. “Pristina has met all obligations relating to implementation of the justice agreement. Integration of staff is important as it contributes to the rule of law in Kosovo,” said European Commission spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic. She said progress of both sides on European integration is linked to progress in the dialogue for normalization of relations.
LGBT rights groups held the first-ever pride parade in Kosovo on October 10, amid tight security measures prompted by anonymous threats against the participants.
President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, said in an interview to Radio Free Europe that dialogue for normalization of relations with Serbia is about to take on a new momentum with more frequent meetings set to take place between leaders of the two sides.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, met in New York in the margins of the UN General Assembly the President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has made encouraging remarks for Western Balkan countries hoping to join the EU, stating that "in the future the European Union will have more than 27 member states."
Russia will continue to try to influence the events in the Balkans, where Serbia is its most important link that serves as a launching ground.
This is according to Beta, which quoted Mark Galeotti of the Institute of International Relations Prague, who spoke for Radio Free Europe's Bosnia-Herzegovina/Serbia/Montenegro service.