FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has come up with new conditions regarding the normalization of the situation in the north of the country. Although the EU has come up with 3 demands, which include new elections, the participation of Serbs in the elections and the start of work for the Association, Kurti came out today with a new proposal.
He has addressed the citizens with a video message, where he states that Kosovo is ready to dialogue to calm the situation, but according to him, some tasks must be fulfilled.
Kurti proposes that the reduction of the presence of the Kosovo Police should be done gradually. Also, it requires monitoring by EULEX of the trials for those arrested in the North. As far as the new elections are concerned, Kurt has demanded that the law be implemented and demands that a petition be held for the removal of the current presidents. He guarantees that after the petition has been signed, he will intervene so that the mayors of the municipalities leave their offices.
Meanwhile, he has 4 requests for Serbia. It requires the withdrawal of violent protesters from municipal buildings and their surroundings; commitment to cooperation in the detention and judicial proceedings of persons who commit acts of violence; reduction of armed forces readiness to low level, no new troop movements, removal of 48 Forward Operating Bases located along the border; as well as demands that Serbia does not hinder or interfere with the right of citizens of Kosovo Serb affiliation and all political parties to participate freely, without any intimidation, coercion or corruptive influence, in the process of local elections in Kosovo.
Kurt's reaction
I would like to address you all in response to the events in northern Kosovo and the latest discussions on how to approach de-escalation. At our last meeting in Brussels, a week ago, in response to a panel proposing de-escalation steps by Mr. Josep Borrell, Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, made the following proposal with concrete steps on what Kosovo is willing to do and what we expect from Serbia in return.
The Republic of Kosovo is ready to contribute to de-escalation. We believe that urgent action must be taken toward this goal, and we are eager and ready to commit to concrete steps that support the goals of de-escalation and stability in the region.
More specifically, the steps that we consider necessary and are ready to commit to are as follows:
1) Reducing the presence of the Kosovo Police in municipal buildings and their surroundings, gradually and proportionally with the reduction of violence;
2) Full access to the judicial processes of the perpetrators of violence, and the monitoring of the processes, by EULEX and interested human rights NGOs;
3) Early elections are activated in the four northern municipalities by a recall petition supported by at least 20 percent of the electorate, as provided for in Kosovo legislation. After confirming that the requirements for withdrawal have been met, the date of the elections is announced by the President;
4) The four mayors in question will be instructed to hand over their authority to new mayors after certification by the CEC in accordance with Kosovo legislation.
Meanwhile, we expect the following from Serbia:
1) Withdrawal of violent protesters from municipal buildings and their surroundings;
2) Commitment to cooperation in the detention and judicial proceedings of the perpetrators on the part of Kosovo, with monitoring by EULEX and full guarantees for a fair trial;
3) Reduction of armed forces readiness to low level, no new troop movements, removal of 48 Forward Operating Bases located along the border.
4) Serbia should not hinder or interfere with the right of citizens of Kosovo Serb affiliation and all political parties to participate freely, without any intimidation, coercion or corruptive influence, in the process of local elections in Kosovo.
Both parties, Kosovo and Serbia, undertake to fully respect the rules of the Common Regional Market of the Berlin Process and compliance with the acquis of the EU for regional free trade according to the agreements made.
In conclusion, we would like to reiterate our commitment to an intensive dialogue for a full, unconditional, balanced and correct implementation of the Basic Agreement and its Implementing Annex.
De-escalation of the situation and normalization of relations is feasible, you have my readiness and will.
Lini një Përgjigje