European Union has welcomed the decision of the Kosovo Serb representatives to return to the Kosovo Assembly and the Government as an important step forward. “It confirms our strong belief that it is only through cooperation, inclusion and dialogue that the elected leaders can bring better future for all communities in Kosovo. We are committed to continue supporting such positive steps,” a press release issued by the EU states.

Serbian List MPs rejoined today the Kosovo Assembly session, on the day when the legislators were scheduled to discuss the issue of missing persons.

The Board of Women Caucus hosted a meeting  with Ulrike Lunacek, Member of the European Parliament and Rapporteur for Kosovo. At this meeting it was discussed extensively on the activities of Women Caucus of the Kosovo Assembly, and the challenges faced by women in the protection of their rights wherever they work and operate. Ms Lunacek, in her speech, said that  she appreciates the contribution of women MPs in Kosovo. “Kosovo has good laws, but the question is how to apply them,” Lunacek said.

Members of the Kosovo Assembly will vote on the establishment of a special court that will address war crimes allegations, in late April or early May. Unnamed sources told Politiko that this timeline has been agreed by Kosovo institutions and international officials, unless there are no unexpected developments. Hashim Thaci and Isa Mustafa, the leaders of the two biggest parties in Kosovo, as well as President Atifete Jahjaga, have expressed full support for the establishment of the court.

Kosovo Assembly is expected to vote on the resolution sponsored by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) paving way for Kosovo to sue Serbia for crimes committed in Kosovo. This was confirmed by Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli who said that the resolution needs to be harmonized with other parliamentary groups before put to vote in one of the upcoming Assembly sessions.

Representatives of opposition parties walked out of the meeting of Assembly presidency after the ruling coalition failed to support the request to discuss energy price increase in Thursday’s session of the Assembly. Opposition officials said the refusal to discuss the petition signed by citizens against energy price increase shows that the ruling parties are not concerned with the issue as this doesn’t affect them but the ordinary people.

The Assembly of Kosovo, neither in the third round of voting couldn’t manage to select the Kosovo Ombudsman. Veton Vula, the only candidate remained in the competition, got only 49 votes, which were not enough to select him in this post.  To become Ombudsman, the candidate must win at least 61 votes, so one more than half the total number of MPs of the Assembly. Koha writes that now there should be new advertisement for the Ombudsperson post.

The leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, has begun consultations for taking on the post of Kosovo president in 2016. Sources from Thaci’s cabinet confirmed that the PDK leader is discussing his candidacy with party leadership and his advisors. His campaign is also expected to begin soon. Sources said that although the current coalition agreement with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) specifies Thaci’s election to the post of president next year, there are certain LDK MPs who oppose the idea.

UNS and DNKiM request postponement of a debate over the law on Radio Television of Kosovo in the Kosovo parliament, until Serbs MPs don’t return to the Assembly.

Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) and Association of Journalists of Kosovo and Metohija (DNKiM) reminded Serb MPs in the Kosovo Assembly that there is an ongoing debate over the law on Radio Television of Kosovo, and requested adequate attention of theirs with regard to creation of an independent TV channel in the Serbian language that will cover entire Kosovo territory.

A Kosovo Assembly delegation consisting of MPs, Zenun Pajaziti and Nenad Rasic, is taking part in the “Rose-Roth” seminar in Belgrade organised by NATO’s General Assembly. Kosovo Assembly is invited to the NATO GA activities as an observer, a status granted in June 2014. A number of issues important for the Western Balkans will be addressed in the seminar, including Euro-Atlantic cooperation, regional cooperation, fight against corruption and organised crime. On the last day of the seminar, the participants will discuss dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade and the road ahead.