Main Stories 13October 2011

  • Dialogues with Kosovo lead Serbia tocandidate status (Koha Ditore)
  • Çitaku welcomes the report (Koha Ditore)
  • The development of the state stumbles (Koha Ditore)
  • Krasniqi: Criminal structures in the north endangering sovereignty (Koha Ditore)
  • Failure of the Government (Express)
  • Farid Zarif nominated UNMIK chief (dailies)
  • Kosovo fears that EU wants autonomy for the north (Koha Ditore)
  • Another indictment for Fatmir Limaj (Koha Ditore)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Dialogues with Kosovo lead Serbia to candidate status (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that Serbiahas passed a historic step towards integration into the European Union, now that it has been proposed candidate status, and the requirements for membership negotiations. In order to begin negotiations Serbiamust normalize relations with Kosovo, according to the European Commission report, however this means technical issues such as telecommunications, the recognition of diplomas and the presence of Kosovo in regional initiatives must be worked out. Serbiais not required to recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Çitaku welcomes the report (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the Minister of European Integration Vlora Çitaku, welcomed the announcement to launch dialogue on visa liberalizationby the European Commission by the end of this year. “This and the progress which will be achieved in the framework of this process, presents one of the most valuable achievements of the country since the declaration of independence”, said Minister Çitaku. The Minister also welcomed the publication of the 2011 Progress Report. “The report marks a new moment for the intensification of structural reforms in the path towards membership in the European Union. The Kosovo Government sees the report as a crucial guideline for its policies on strengthening of rule of law, economic growth and the welfare of the citizens”, said Çitaku.

The development of the state stumbles (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the European Union found little progress in Kosovo on its requirements laid out in previous reports. In the 63 pages the European Commission examined the model and function of the Kosovo state, such fields as rule of law, democracy, media, elections etc. were analyzed. All of which according to the EC need considerable improvement. The Report which evaluates Kosovo’s progress from autumn last year until September this year, highlights among other things that there has been fraud in elections, little reform in the electoral process, and a poor media climate, “journalists are still threatened and scared in their work”, says in the report, among many other negative statements.

Krasniqi: Criminal structures in the north endangering sovereignty(Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the Head of the Kosovo Parliament Jakup Krasniqi, said on Wednesday in Budapest that the presence of criminal structures in the north of the country, not only is destroying the economy, but also endangering the stability and sovereignty of Kosovo. Krasniqi expressed his belief that criminal structures in the north before all are endangering the perspective of Serb citizens, Serbia and Kosovo.

Failure of the Government (Express)

Express reports that a few hours after the release of the Progress Report, LDK released a reaction commenting on the findings of European Commission in Kosovo. According to the opposition party, the Government has failed. “The findings were fraud in the elections process, bad management of the budget, inept rule of law, high levels of corruption and organized crime and over all a lack of political will to address the problems, and this is disturbing”, says in the LDK press communiqué. According to the LDK, the Kosovo Government has failed on behalf of citizens. “The lack of political will to fight the corruption and organized crime remain hurdles which unfortunately this corrupted Government cannot overcome,” the communiqué added.

Farid Zarif nominated UNMIK chief (dailies)

Dailies report that United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon on the 11 October 2011 announced the appointment of Farid Zarif of Afghanistan as his Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. Zarif succeeds Lamberto Zannier from Italy, who headed this mission until June. A UN press release said Zarif has extensive experience in diplomacy, international relations and United Nations affairs. During his diplomatic service, he served in various positions inside and outside Afghanistan. Having joined the United Nations in 1993, Mr. Zarif has since served at Headquarters in New York as well as in political, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations in Eritrea, Liberia, South Africa, Iraq and Sudan. Zarif served as Acting Special Representative of the Secretary General in Kosovo since August 2011.

Kosovo fears that EU wants autonomy for the north (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the message of the European Commission for Kosovo to come up with “a comprehensive agenda for the north,” concerned the Government.

Senior officials who preferred to remain anonymous said that they understand this message as a request to find some solution beyond the one foreseen in Ahtisaari’s Package. However, the Minister for European Integrations Vlora Çitaku, expressed conviction that this message from Brussels simply means “drafting a comprehensive strategy for inclusion and integration of the north within the institutional and social framework of the Republic of Kosovo.” The Head of the European Commission Liaison Office in Pristina, Khaldon Sinno saw it differently. He said that the Government should “rethink how it approaches the north,” reports this daily.

Another indictment for Fatmir Limaj (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditorereports that the Special Prosecution of Kosovo is expected to raise a second round of charges against Assembly Deputy Fatmir Limaj within a few weeks. Sources from the prosecution said that the cycle of investigations is about to conclude and that there is sufficient evidence to raise charges against Limaj concerning his work as a Minister of the Government of Kosovo. “We have obtained sufficient evidence for an indictment,” said a source to this daily.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

  • Dialogue with Kosovo leads Serbia to candidate status
  • Start of the dialogue for visas, “by the end of the year”
  • Kosovo fears the EU wants autonomy for the north
  • Parties activate to find their candidates for President

Other headlines

  • Development of the country stumbles (2)
  • Sinno: Make the comparison yourselves (2)
  • Çitaku welcomes the report (2)
  • Foreign Ministry needs department for Azia and Africa (4)
  • Another indictment against Limaj (4)
  • Krasniqi: Criminal structures in the north endangering sovereignty (4)
  • Ilir Tolaj investigated for seven penal deeds (6)
  • Former UNMIK official presses $ 1 million demand in compensation (6)
  • PDK leads in the aspect of irregularities as well (7)

Zëri

Front page

  • Visas for Kosovo, candidate status for Serbia
  • Progress report realistic
  • Another wasted year
  • Turks expel businesses from the airport

Other headlines

  • Thaçi expects recognition from Egypt (2)
  • Hoxhaj visits Qatar (2)
  • Integration above all priorities (2)
  • Satisfied with the visit in Czech Republic (2)
  • Meet often (3)
  • Illegal millions, destroyers of the future (5)
  • Report announces financial crisis (6)
  • Farid Zarif, chief of the UN mission in Kosovo (8)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • EU requests plan for the north
  • Realistic
  • Transaction with the U.S., removed Hrvatski Telecom from tender
  • Dialogue for visa starts this year

Other headlines

  • Criminal structures endanger the country (2)
  • Government welcomes the report (2)
  • LDK concerned (3)
  • Turkey lobbies for new recognitions of Kosovo (4)
  • Sweden supports full sovereignty of Kosovo (4)
  • Kosovo can sue Serbia for millions in damages (7)
  • Limaj, eight hours at the prosecution (10)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • We took something: December beginning of dialogue for visa liberalization
  • Recognition from Egypt coming
  • Çitaku accepts the findings in Progress Report
  • Serbia receives the recommendation for candidate, Kosovo inhibits talks

Other headlines

  • Zarif Farid appointed chief of UNMIK (2)
  • Turkey lobby’s for Kosovo (2)
  • Criminals in the north are endangering stability (3)
  • Vetëvendosje not stopping (3)
  • In December starts the dialogue for visa liberalization (4)
  • Thaçi: The cooperation with Norway to be strengthened furthermore (5)
  • LDK: The findings of Progress Report, disturbing (5)
  • President returns from Czech Republic (5)
  • Thaçi expects recognition of Kosovo from Egypt (6)
  • Kosovo and Qatar are coordinated for new recognitions (6)
  • Sweden supports integration of Kosovo in the EU (7)

Express

Front page

  • Stefan’s Box
  • Beqaj version

Other headlines

  • Armand Shkullaku: The return of Fatmir Sejdiu (2)
  • Palace of dreams (3)
  • Turkey is lobbying for Kosovo (4)
  • Vlora is happy (4)
  • Failure of the Government (5)
  • Candidacy with conditions (5)
  • Sejdiu: They have won with criminals (6)
  • Qatar’s promises (6)

Bota Sot

Front page

  • You have “passed the class” with insufficient success!
  • Three names are waiting for the appointment from Prime Minister Thaçi

Other headlines

  • Evans: History, in the side of independent Kosovo (2)
  • Organized crime and illegal possessions – obstacle for Kosovo (3)
  • Waiting for recognition from Egypt (4)
  • About Progress Report, reacts LDK (4)
  • Biometric passports in the pocket, visas in Brussels (6)
  • Kacin: Dialogue with Pristina and with others (7)
  • The people of Egypt recognize independence of Kosovo (7)

Disclaimer

This media summary consists of selected local media articles for the information of UN personnel. The public distribution of this media summary is a courtesy service extended by UNMIK on the understanding that the choice of articles translated is exclusive, and the contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership. The inclusion of articles in this summary does not imply endorsement by UNMIK.