Full independence declared

• Full independence declared (dailies)
• Fuele: New chapter in history of Kosovo (Koha Ditore – front page)
• Obama: End of supervision, historic achievement (dailies)
• Reeker: New chapter begins for Kosovo (dailies)
• Westerwelle welcomes full sovereignty for Kosovo (Epoka e Re – front page)
• Vetëvendosje boycotts session on ending supervised independence (dailies)
• Kacin welcomes end of supervised independence (Zëri – page 2)
• Petkovic: EU recognized Kosovo’s independence (Epoka e Re – page 5)
• NATO will not downsize troops in Kosovo (Express – page 4)
• ICG: Continued international supervision for Serbs’ rights (dailies)
• Limaj questioned, EULEX claims not violating the law (dailies)
• KFOR blocks all alternative roads in north (dailies)
• Settling of scores in north (Express – page 9)
• Kornja doubts kidnapped Serbs had organs removed (Epoka e Re – page 9)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Full independence declared (dailies)
According to all dailies, Kosovo is no longer internationally supervised. As of Monday afternoon, foreigners no longer act with supreme decision-making authority for Kosovo and there are no documents with judicial weight in the Assembly. The International Steering Group has declared the end of supervised independence of Kosovo and the end of the International Civilian Representatives’ mandate. However, only Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi said that the Ahtisaari Package has been entirely fulfilled. Local and international authorities have “played the game of table tennis,” holding each other responsible with respect to the Ahtisaari Package’s non fulfillment in the Serb-inhabited north.

Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said that giving full sovereignty to Kosovo is a clear sign of trust in institutions, its leaders, and the people of Kosovo. Michael Spindelegger said that with the removal of international civilian representatives and with the closure of the International Civilian Office, the international community will not leave Kosovo. Instead, it will be here to stay and only the quality of relations will change fundamentally.

Former UN status envoy and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari addresssed the Kosovo Assembly saying that his comprehensive plan for the status of Kosovo offers perspective and stability, although at the time it was proposed it seemed more like a utopia. “When I had proposed the plan, I was aware that it will be a long and difficult journey. But, I stand here today to celebrate the end of a long journey, though we are marking the start of another one,” Ahtisaari said.

Former US status envoy Frank Wisner said in his speech at the Assembly that the USA will always be close to Kosovo in its path of building a democratic state. He said that the end of supervision is a success for Kosovo and said that now there are many challenges, one of them being growing recognitions. The deployment of authority in the north, according to him, should be a high priority and performed while in dialogue with Serbs and offering possibilities.

Wolfgang Ischinger, former EU status envoy, mentioned the German model as a possible solution for the situation in the north. “You need to have creative models like the German model and in this sense you should use your full sovereignty to exercise responsibilities in the north too,” he said, adding that he was optimistic that the issue of the north will be resolved eventually.

President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga said that the end of the supervision stage shows that institutions and citizens of Republic of Kosovo are committed and determined to implement all tasks and that Kosovo’s aim is NATO and EU membership.

At the same time Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi said the International Steering Group’s decision is a historic turning point for the state of Kosovo. “We close today a chapter, that of independence’s supervision, and this is an international trust for the state of Kosovo, assessment and evidence of the democratic world that the state of Kosovo is being respected,” said Thaçi.

Fuele: New chapter in history of Kosovo (Koha Ditore – front page)
EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European policies for Neighborhood Stefan Fuele said that he feels excited during a solemn dinner organized by Pristina authorities on the occasion of the end of supervised independence. This event, according to the European official, marks a new chapter in history of Kosovo. Fuele, despite being criticized by Serb authorities for his participation at this dinner, noted that on this occasion the European Union is recognizing the independence of Kosovo. The EU official congratulated President Jahjaga and Prime Minister Thaçi for their achievements for Kosovo in the last year. He reserved special thanks to Martti Ahtisaari, for which he said without him Kosovo would not be what it is today.

Obama: End of supervision, historic achievement (dailies)
US President Barack Obama hailed the decision of the International Steering Group to end supervision of Kosovo’s independence. In a statement, Obama said that the implementation of provisions from the Ahtisaari status proposal is a great achievement for all citizens of Kosovo. “Kosovo has achieved significant progress in strengthening of independence and building of institutions of a modern, multiethnic, inclusive and democratic country,” President Obama said.

Reeker: New chapter begins for Kosovo (dailies)
US Deputy Assistant of State Phillip Reeker said during his visit to Kosovo that the closing of independence’s supervision is not the end of international community’s interest for Kosovo and that in fact the international focus will only increase. Reeker added that a new chapter is starting for Kosovo while the dialogue with Serbia is the right path to move ahead.

“Future of Serbia and Kosovo is in European integrations and every country has reached it by normalizing their relations,” said Reeker for Zëri. “We and our European partners support the dialogue because it is the right and necessary way forward.”

The US official had separate meetings with Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and President Atifete Jahjaga.

Westerwelle welcomes full sovereignty for Kosovo (Epoka e Re – front page)
Minister of the Foreign Affairs of Germany Guido Westerwelle hailed the conclusion of supervised independence of Kosovo and said that it is a significant step for Kosovo and a success of international efforts. “Kosovo has fulfilled fundamental democratic requests, and it achieved progress in the aspect of the defense of the rights of minorities,” said Westerwelle in Berlin. “The Federal Government will strongly support Kosovo also in the future in the process of the consolidation of the state.”

Vetëvendosje boycotts session on ending supervised independence (dailies)
Several dailies report that Vetëvendosje MPs boycotted yesterday’s session of the Kosovo Assembly on the end of Kosovo’s supervised independence. Vetëvendosje MPs announced their decision at a press conference two hours before the assembly.

Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti told reporters that the assembly session must be boycotted because it is a farce that is held against the people and with the people’s money. He added that MPs were invited to attend the session, applaud, and smile as privileged spectators without having the right to speak despite representing the people.

Kurti argued that the Ahtisaari Plan does not contain full independence and has delayed the true independence of Kosovo. Kurti also said that the “visible external” supervision is being removed only to create room for internal supervision, which is hidden within the laws.

“KFOR, EULEX and even UNMIK are here without having recognized us, without answering to us, with executive powers over us and with immunity over law. As they want to launch political dialogue with Serbia on the north, they removed this legal hurdle called the International Civilian Office. Now they can move on to Ahtisaari Plus,” Kurti said.

Kacin welcomes end of supervised independence (Zëri – page 2)
Deputy Head of European Parliament delegation for south-east Europe Jelko Kacin welcomed the end of Kosovo’s supervised independence but said there is still work to be done to establish genuine rule of law. “EULEX and KFOR remain on the ground to help Kosovo institutions but the responsibility of the Kosovo Government for establishing rule of law becomes greater than in the past period,” Kacin said.

Petkovic: EU recognized Kosovo’s independence (Epoka e Re – page 5)
Petar Petkovic, spokesperson for the Serbian Democratic Party, told reporters in Belgrade yesterday that EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele’s attendance at the meeting in Pristina on the eve of the end of supervised independence proves that Fuele and the EU recognize Kosovo as independent. “Fuele’s presence in Pristina today bears much more importance than the statement of the chairman of the European Parliament Martin Shultz. His presence is proof that the EU recognizes Kosovo’s independence,” Petkovic said.

NATO will not downsize troops in Kosovo (Express – page 4)
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said NATO does not plan to downsize the number of troops in Kosovo after the closing of the International Civilian Office. “Our strategy does not change, the number of our troops in Kosovo will remain the same,” Rasmussen said.

ICG: Continued international supervision for Serbs’ rights (dailies)
The International Crisis Group (ICG) issued a report on Monday in Brussels calling for more responsibilities both from Kosovo and the international community in implementing what it considers obligations toward the Serb minority in Kosovo. The ICG concluded that Kosovo has implemented the Ahtisaari Plan to a large extent but there are also delays in several areas. The ICG highlights the failure to open a public TV channel in Serbian, issues using Serbian as an official language in several parts of Kosovo, and the failure in IDP returns.

The ICG, which ten years ago was among the first to suggest conditional independence for Kosovo, suggests continued international supervision over Kosovo authorities in the implementing of rights for Serbs in Kosovo. In its report, the ICG warns that a solution for the integration of Serbs in the north has to be found as quickly as possible so that Serbs in southern Kosovo don’t suffer any consequences.

Limaj questioned, EULEX claims not violating the law (dailies)
EULEX tried on Monday to justify its investigation of one of its prosecutors against Fatmir, Demir and Florim Limaj as well as against Endrit Shala, for suspicions of criminal acts.

The European Mission reacted regarding reports by Koha Ditore on Saturday that Prosecutor Johannes Picke is continuing with investigations without the decision of the court. This is despite the fact that the deadline for investigations was 23 April of this year when two years of investigation were completed as foreseen in article 25 of the Code of Penal Procedure of Kosovo. “EULEX wants to deny the claims of the article in Koha Ditore of 8 September 2012, which says that a EULEX prosecutor is violating the Code of the Penal Procedure,” he said adding that in April of this year EULEX explained the legal situation which says: on 23 April, the 24 month deadline for investigations has expired. This deadline limits the Kosovo Special Prosecution to undertake other “investigating actions” regarding the accusations for the mentioned suspects in the initial decision to begin investigations. “Investigating actions include but do not limit the execution of raids, arrests, etc.”

KFOR blocks all alternative roads in north (dailies)
Yesterday, when supervised independence of Kosovo ends, multinational troops of KFOR closed all alternative roads in northern Kosovo, near the border crossings at gates 1 and 31, in Bernjakë and Jarinje respectively, used by local Serbs for transport and smuggling of goods. Sources from the police and KFOR confirmed the news and officials of illegal structures criticized KFOR and called for an extraordinary meeting of the municipalities of northern Kosovo.

Settling of scores in north (Express – page 9)
Behxhet Bala, director of Mitrovica’s municipal directorate for protection and rescue, said incidents that occurred in the north in the last couple of days are settling scores between political parties and criminals in the north wishing to control the leading positions in different institutions.

Bala also said political changes in Serbian leadership in Belgrade have had repercussions in the north and have lead to a war for managing positions in various institutions in northern Mitrovica, such as the hospital, the waste management company, the water supply system, and the faculty.

“There should be intensive investigations into the recent incidents and the perpetrators of these acts must be brought to justice as quickly as possible,” Bala added. “These are criminal groups orchestrated by Belgrade, and they create tensions in that part of the country every time Kosovo is on the eve of some celebration.”

Kornja doubts kidnapped Serbs had organs removed (Epoka e Re – page 9)
Epoka e Re re-runs an interview that Serbian media Svedok had with Goran Kornja, renowned Serb cardiovascular surgeon and former head of the team for organs transplant in Serbia’s Medical Military Academy. The paper highlights Kornja’s statement that he doesn’t believe kidnapped Serbs in Kosovo had their organs removed.

“I don’t believe organs were taken away in Kosovo; I am confident that this story is not true. If it did happen however it could not have happened in Kosovo and they were sent elsewhere. Everything that is said now about the removal of body organs does not hold water,” Kornja said.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• Full independence declared
• Obama: Historic achievement, more work remains to be done
• Fuele: A new chapter in Kosovo’s history
• Kurti: Now we have “Bac, it’s over” part two
• Limaj questioned, EULEX says it is not violating the law

Other headlines
• Reeker: The right way forward (page 2)
• Priority: approximation with EU, normalizing Serb relations (page 4)
• Italy continues to support Kosovo (page 4)
• To Japan, Kosovo is an important state in the Balkans (page 5)
• ICG: Continued international supervision for respect of Serbs’ rights (page 5)

Zëri

Front page
• Supervision is over
• Obama: End of supervision, a historic achievement
• A new chapter begins for Kosovo
• Xharra: (Un)supervised today

Other headlines
• Ahtisaari received with high honors (page 2)
• Kacin hails end of supervision (page 2)
• Vetëvendosje: The end of supervision – a farce (page 2)

Kosova Sot

Front page
• Ahtisaari: The best supervisor is the people of Kosovo
• Editorial: We need a new beginning
• The Constitution all powerful, ICO to shut down by year’s end
• Obama: Implementation of Ahtisaari Package, a great achievement
• Reeker announces difficult reforms

Other headlines
• Germany continues to support Kosovo (page 2)
• Austria calls for a political solution for the north (page 2)
• NATO will not downsize troops in Kosovo (page 4)
• Fol: Now you can no longer hide behind internationals (page 4)
• Vetëvendosje boycotts the session, calls it a farce (page 4)

Epoka e Re

Front page
• Supervision remains for the population
• Obama: A historical achievement for Kosovo
• Westerwelle welcomes the full sovereignty for Kosovo
• His war for recognitions

Other headlines
• Kosovo closes the chapter of the supervision of independence (page 2)
• Dacic: We do not recognize Kosovo in any version (page 5)
• Petkovic: EU has recognized the independence of Kosovo (page 5)
• Reeker: Dialogue (page 6)
• Murat Jashari requests mobilization (page 6)
• Kornja does not believe kidnapped Serbs had their organs removed (page 9)

Express

Front page
• Complete independence
• Xhemajli instead of Syla
• Turkey’s cradle of investments
• Bank guarantees support

Other headlines
• Idrizi: Is everything about money (page 2)
• Repic: Serbs after the supervised independence (page 2)
• NATO does not reduce its troops (page 4)
• Vetëvendosje boycotts conclusion (page 5)
• Obama congratulates (page 5)
• Fuele only at the ending dinner (page 5)
• Westerwelle: Kosovo has fulfilled the requests (page 5)
• Dialogue’s turn (page 6)
• We do not recognized even without supervision (page 6)
• KFOR blocks several roads (page 7)
• Settling of scores in north (page 9)

Bota Sot

Front page
• Reeker: I am going for talks in Brussels, get ready for talks for the north
• They came, saw and said: With this ends supervision
• EU is accepting Kosovo as independent state
• Kurti: The foreign supervision is removed to become internal supervision

Other headlines
• Japan, far country, but a close friend of Kosovo (page 2)
• Turkey to lobby for new recognitions for Kosovo (page 2)
• Obama: Kosovo made progress in independence (page 3)
• Bild congratulates full sovereignty of Kosovo in Albanian (page 3)
• Rasmussen: NATO will not remove troops from Kosovo (page 7)
• Spindelegger: The status is closed, borders will not change (page 7)
• ICG: Challenges after supervision (page 7)
• EU through Fuele recognized Kosovo as a state (page 9)
• World Bank continues to support Kosovo (page 9)
• Kosovo and Turkey achieve agreement for the double tax avoidance (page 12)