Both Serbia and Kosovo have agreed to co-operate with a new EU mission due to take over in Kosovo - though Kosovo still has objections, the UN head says.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report that he had instructed UN staff to prepare to hand over to the EU.
The six-point plan, which Kosovo complains was agreed by the EU and Serbia behind its back, would keep police, customs and courts in the Serb-run areas under UN management.
Serbia had objected to the EU mission having any role, until the plan was altered to keep the UN in Serb areas.
The UN unfortunately has not recognised Kosovo's independence yet, which was declared in February and has since been recognised by around 50 nations, including most, but not all, EU states.
Serbia still regards Kosovo as one of its provinces - so Western diplomats have welcomed what they say is enough agreement for the EU to deploy.
Kosovo's population is 90% Albanian, with a minority of Serbs, who mainly occupy northern Kosovo, bordering Serbia, and some other areas.
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Germans held in Kosovo over blast
A Kosovan judge has ordered three Germans suspected of throwing an explosive device at the EU headquarters in Pristina to be held for 30 days.
The three reportedly deny involvement in the attack on 14 November, saying they were detained while investigating it themselves.
Windows in the glass-fronted building were shattered but nobody was hurt.
German and Kosovo media report that the men are German intelligence agents but officials in Berlin refuse to comment.
Lawyers for the detainees say the prosecution is seeking terrorism charges that carry a maximum 20-year sentence.
A spokesman for the German foreign ministry in Berlin confirmed that three Germans had been arrested on Thursday, but declined to make any further comment as an investigation was under way.
The EU's "Blue Building" in Pristina is a glass-plated cube
The German weekly Der Spiegel said the men worked for the German intelligence agency BND, and that they told investigators they had been examining the scene of the explosion, but had not been involved in it.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February after nine years under UN stewardship and is recognised by more than 50 countries, including Germany.
Four days before the bomb attack, Kosovo's Albanian majority rejected an agreement between the UN and Serbia on the deployment of the much-delayed EU police and justice mission Eulex.
The three reportedly deny involvement in the attack on 14 November, saying they were detained while investigating it themselves.
Windows in the glass-fronted building were shattered but nobody was hurt.
German and Kosovo media report that the men are German intelligence agents but officials in Berlin refuse to comment.
Lawyers for the detainees say the prosecution is seeking terrorism charges that carry a maximum 20-year sentence.
A spokesman for the German foreign ministry in Berlin confirmed that three Germans had been arrested on Thursday, but declined to make any further comment as an investigation was under way.
The EU's "Blue Building" in Pristina is a glass-plated cube
The German weekly Der Spiegel said the men worked for the German intelligence agency BND, and that they told investigators they had been examining the scene of the explosion, but had not been involved in it.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February after nine years under UN stewardship and is recognised by more than 50 countries, including Germany.
Four days before the bomb attack, Kosovo's Albanian majority rejected an agreement between the UN and Serbia on the deployment of the much-delayed EU police and justice mission Eulex.
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Kosova welcomes all the displaced people
Today, Kjartan Björnsson, ECLO Chargé d'Affaires a.i. together with Kosovo’s
Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and UNDP Resident Representative Frode
Mauring launched the Return and Reintegration in Kosovo project, at the
premises of the Ministry for Communities and Return.
Speaking at the occasion, Prime Minister Thaçi said: "I invite all the displaced persons, especially the Serbian ones, to return. Kosovo is a homeland for all,and I assure you we are creating the security conditions and an opportunity for a better life with the help of our international partners.”
The European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo contributed with €3.3 million for this project in close partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Return who contributed €1.1 million. This Project will be implemented by UNDP, participating with a €0.4 million contribution. Since 2003, the European Commission has allocated over €30 million for minority communities throughout Kosovo and this project is part of the extensive programme to support the returns in Kosovo.
Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and UNDP Resident Representative Frode
Mauring launched the Return and Reintegration in Kosovo project, at the
premises of the Ministry for Communities and Return.
Speaking at the occasion, Prime Minister Thaçi said: "I invite all the displaced persons, especially the Serbian ones, to return. Kosovo is a homeland for all,and I assure you we are creating the security conditions and an opportunity for a better life with the help of our international partners.”
The European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo contributed with €3.3 million for this project in close partnership with the Ministry for Communities and Return who contributed €1.1 million. This Project will be implemented by UNDP, participating with a €0.4 million contribution. Since 2003, the European Commission has allocated over €30 million for minority communities throughout Kosovo and this project is part of the extensive programme to support the returns in Kosovo.
Thursday, 6 November 2008
EU Commission proposes feasibility study for Kosova
Pristina, 5 November 2008
Today, the European Commission adopted its annual strategy paper for the EU’s
enlargement policy. The European Commission proposes to conduct a feasibility
study to evaluate how Kosovo can best take advantage of regional and European
integration. The Commission also proposes to intensify the regular policy and
technical dialogue between Kosovo and the Commission. In its progress report the
Commission finds that some progress has been made in addressing key European
Partnership priorities but key challenges remain.
In its report, the Commission analyses Kosovo's progress over the past year.
Overall stability has been maintained and Kosovo continued to actively cooperate with the
wider international community, the European Union in general and the European Commission
in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process Tracking Mechanism.
The new constitution is in line with European standards and a considerable amount of key
legislation has been adopted. Kosovo continued to participate actively in regional cooperation
initiatives in areas such as energy, transport and trade. The government finalised a Mid-Term
Expenditure Framework covering the years up to 2011, which was the basis for the successful
Donors' Conference. Some progress was made in the approximation with European standards,
particularly in the areas of customs, free movement of goods, the environment and agriculture.
Today, the European Commission adopted its annual strategy paper for the EU’s
enlargement policy. The European Commission proposes to conduct a feasibility
study to evaluate how Kosovo can best take advantage of regional and European
integration. The Commission also proposes to intensify the regular policy and
technical dialogue between Kosovo and the Commission. In its progress report the
Commission finds that some progress has been made in addressing key European
Partnership priorities but key challenges remain.
In its report, the Commission analyses Kosovo's progress over the past year.
Overall stability has been maintained and Kosovo continued to actively cooperate with the
wider international community, the European Union in general and the European Commission
in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process Tracking Mechanism.
The new constitution is in line with European standards and a considerable amount of key
legislation has been adopted. Kosovo continued to participate actively in regional cooperation
initiatives in areas such as energy, transport and trade. The government finalised a Mid-Term
Expenditure Framework covering the years up to 2011, which was the basis for the successful
Donors' Conference. Some progress was made in the approximation with European standards,
particularly in the areas of customs, free movement of goods, the environment and agriculture.
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