Kosovo government has been handed over report about drafting Association statute

The Ministry of Management of Local Power has handed a report to Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj about the work of the management team, which is in charge of drafting the Association statute or the Serb majority municipality.

In a written response from this minister, the management team has reportedly held regular meetings with Local Power Management Minister and has also handed over to the ministry the team's work reports concerning tasks stemming from the decision and the Brussels agreement.

“The Ministry of Management of Local Power has delivered the same reports to the prime minister's office, to announce the team's work and actions undertaken by the management team”, the minister says in a written response.

In the prime minister's office, they say they have accepted a report by the working group for the drafting of the Serb majority-communal Association and Community of Communities.

The co-ordinator in the dialogue with Serbia, Avni Arifi, told Radio Free Europe, that they are reviewing the report and that after analyzing it, they will give due estimates.

“We have accepted a report from the Ministry of Local Power, which has handed over several processes of several meetings the management group has had, which is in preparation for drafting the statute. I haven't examined it or analyzed it and can't talk about its contents. What I can say is that these experts will draft a draft, which will be in line with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, and in that way it will not waste time on anyone, and very soon would also apply to the formation of association”, Arifi said.

The Kosovo delegation for dialogue with Serbia, a few days ago in Brussels, reported to representatives of the 28 EU member states that Kosovo will not allow the Association of Serb majority municipalities to have executive competencies.

Arifi reiterated that the Association of Serbian municipalities will not have executive competencies and will in no way be the third level of power, but will be the Association within the Constitution and laws of Kosovo.

Former Kosovo Minister for Dialogue in Government Edita Tahiri rebuked the current Government of Kosovo, saying it is holding a inferior report and a disregardy stance in relation to dialogue.

In contrast, about forming the Association, Tahiri considers the Kosovo government should be very cautious, especially regarding the statute being drafted.

The government had to be pro-active and not allow the process to get off track. Of course, the government has to open its eyes wide that the Association Agreement makes it clear that there is no executive competence. If you thus allow the management or processing team to continue with work made up of only representatives of the Serbian municipalities, without representatives of the Government of Kosovo, the process could come out of control and then repair is very difficult”, Tahiri stressed.

Forming the Association of Serbian municipalities from official Belgrade and representatives of Kosovo Serbs is seen as the key issue in talks between Pristina and Belgrade in Brussels.

Meanwhile, Kosovo institutions are insisting on implementing all achieved agreements, which, according to Pristina, have been blocked by Belgrade.

First of all, energy deals are cited -- the one for the opening of the bridge over the Iber River, the return of cadastral documents, recognition of diplomas, and allowing the operation of rented facilities in the north.

The Serbian side, on the other hand, insists on the quick formation of the Association/United Serb municipalities.