Kosova leads Balkans in internet use.

Kosovo becomes Balkans leader in Internet usage

Tuesday, 02 March 2010

Post and Telecom of Kosovo, telecommunications companies KUJTESA and IPKO now have over half million Internet subscribers at home and its use in the country increased by 6 percent, compared with a year earlier making Kosovo the leader in the Balkans in Internet usage.  Chairman of the Board of Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Ekrem Hoxha, said the expansion of Internet services for 2009 has been about 121 subscriptions or 7.05 percent per capita. “Expansion of Internet services for homes was 35 percent in 2009, while in the period August 2008 expansion of these services has been about 21. 6 percent “, Hoxha stressed. The spokesman of Post and Telecom of Kosovo (PTK), Menduh Abazi, has stated that PTK currently has over 35 thousand users of the Internet against 21 thousand who had in early 2009. “Every day more this number continues to mark the month-on-month increase, currently is about 800 to 900 new customers per month to connect to the Internet network of PTK”, he stressed the newspaper. But official spokesperson of IPKO telecommunications company, Alban Kastrati said that IPKO today has more than 230 thousand Internet subscribers in Kosovo. “With this broad range of modern telecommunication services, the IPKO company is positioning the  state of Kosovo as a modern country, where high rates of Internet expansion and usage remain strong social indicators,” Kastrati said. According to him, the Internet use has increased in Kosovo in extraordinary numbers, if you compare the numbers on an annual basis since 1999, when IPKO has started for the first time provide internet services in Kosovo. Another internet and cable provider, KUJTESA is belived to have another 100,000 internet and cable subscribers. Kosovo is listed ahead of many regional countries and in the European Union in the percentage of internet users.  In contrast, Europe now has 24 percent of Internet users in the world.

Kosova to start embassy in Saudi Arabia.

Republic of Kosovo Embassy to open in Saudi Arabia

Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Yesterday, President Fatmir Sejdiu decreed the establishment of the Republic of Kosovo Diplomatic Mission in Embassy level in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “President of the Republic of Kosovo, Fatmir Sejdiu has decreed today the establishment of the Diplomatic Mission in Embassy level in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The headquarters of the Embassy will be in Riyadh,” the office of the Republic’s President issued in a statement. According to the statement, the diplomatic Decrete is made based on Article 84, paragraph 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and in Article 5, paragraph 1 of the Law on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Kosovo, and after consultation with the Prime Minister the Republic of Kosovo. Saudi Arabia recognized Kosovo’s independence in April of this year.

Source: New Kosova Report

Kosova and Japan strengthen ties.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Rame Manaj received today a delegation of the Foreign Ministry and the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation, headed by Masoto Iso, Minister at the Japanese Embassy in Vienna.

Manaj  thanked the government of Japan, Japanese people, for help given to Kosovo, but also special gratitude for the recognition of the Republic of Kosovo as an sovereign and independent country.

Deputy Prime Minister Rame Manaj responding interests of the Japanese delegation briefed them with current developments and the efforts of the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in creating economic development policies.

“We are making visible progress in many areas, thanks to the assistance and support from outside, but the challenges are many and Japan’s cooperation and assistance is necessary”, said Mr. Manaj.

Iso Masoto Minister said the Government satisfied with achievements, but also the willingness of cooperation and assistance of the Government and the Japanese Agency for International Cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in the future in areas and projects identified by the two sides.
The Japanese diplomate emphasized the human resources, namely the new age of the population as a primary factor for the development of a country.

Source: NewKosovaReport

Huge number of Serbs applying for Kosova passports

The number of Serbs who are citizens of the Republic of Kosovo to obtain ID, Passports, birth certificates at the Interior Ministry of the Republic of Kosovo office is growing massively.

Just in the Municipality of Gjilan, over 5000 Serbs have obtained last month the Republc of Kosovo Passport, informs the Interior Ministry of the Republic of Kosovo.

Meanwhile, there is a rapidly growing number of Serbs who are citizens of Kosovo applying ID’s, Citizenship Certificates, Birth Certificates issued by the Government. 

Kosovars of Serb ethnicity everyday integrating in the institutions of the Republic of KOsovo. 

Source: New Kosova Report.

Kosova to Albania highway to start work in 2 months.

In three years Kosovars will have their motorway, linking their capital Prishtina with the Albanian border and further with the Albanin port of Durres. This has been announced by the Minister of Transport and Telecommunications Fatmir Limaj after the meeting of the inter-ministerial committee for the construction of Prishtina-Vërmice motorway, where it was also decided to announce the final bid for the selection of the company to carry out the biggest road project in Kosovo. The work should start no later than two months after the opening of the bid.

“We are continuing to be on track with the works dynamic. We have decided today to open the bid for beginning of construction. This will finally result in the winner of the Prishtina-Vermice motorway construction,” said Limaj in a press conference following the inter-ministerial committee meeting.

The offer, which is valid for seven pre-qualified companies, according to Limaj will be open for 30 days starting from today.

The members of committee during this meeting have approved some of criteria which are going to be the basis for the offer. “Paperwork for the offer has been prepared in line with highest international standards,” said Limaj.

The winning company according to him will be selected based on the procurement criteria starting from the collection points of the most favorable price and the most technically favourable criteria.

The start of the works is another added criteria. According to the offer package, the company should be ready to start the works in the construction of highway 30 days from signing of the contract. “The timeframe for construction work has been foreseen to last no more than 36 months. This is the real term for completing the motorway”, said Limaj.

Kosova and Albania move closer economically.

Kosovo, Albania strengthen economic relations

 

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

The Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Albania, today signed the Understanding Memorandum Agreement in the field of economic cooperation. The agreement was signed between the Kosovo Competition Commission and Albania Competition Authority representatives. The chairman of the Kosovo’s Competition Commission, Osman Ejupi said that the Understanding Memorandum strengthens the economy cooperation between countries’ authorities in the filed of law and policies of market competition. The agreement is expected to expand the economic and business investments between the Republic of Albania and the Republic of Kosovo.

Ramadan in Kosova.

Kosovo’s Fasting Cafes

PRIZREN, Kosovo — Walking down the streets in any of Kosovo’s cities during the holy days of Ramadan, one can’t help noticing that almost every cafe and restaurant on the way is either closed or deserted. “Most of the cafes are closed during day time in Ramadan,” Sheikh Muhamed Hoxha, Secretary General of the Islamic Center in Pudjeva city, told IslamOnline.net. “The very few cafes that are not closed stay open only for people to meet and talk. No food. No drinks.” This leaves Kosovo streets with unusual calmness during daytime in Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar. In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset. Most dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through self-restraint, good deeds and prayer. Kosovo has declared independence from Serbia last year to become the second country with Muslim majority in Europe. Muslim Albanians make up more than 90 percent of the country’s two-million population. Islamic Awakening Experts believe that the closure of cafes and restaurants during Ramadan days signals a growing Islamic awakening. “Closing cafes in Ramadan is a phenomenon that has been spreading in different cities,” Ajni Sinani, a Muslim writer from the historic city of Prizren, known as the city of minarets because of the large number of its mosques, told IOL. “The majority of the city residents as well as the owners of the cafes themselves are fasting.” Sheikh Hoxha agrees that there is a religious awakening among Kosovars. He cites the growing number of Muslims eager to observe the fast and get closer to Allah through prayers and Qur’an recitation. “Much more Muslims are keen to perform prayers at the mosques. Our mosque in Pudjeva is bursting at the seams with worshippers during Ramadan.” Once Muslims break their fast and perform Tarawih, a special nightly prayer in Ramadan, the streets are back to life. People flock to the deserted cafes to enjoy a special festive atmosphere. “The empty cafes become overcrowded as soon as people finish Tarawih,” notes Hoxha. “Friends race to invite each other to drink coffee and eat famed Balkan deserts in a joyful mood that remains all through the holy month.”

 

Source: Islamonline.net

Kosova and Turkey strengthen ties.

Turkey and Kosovo deepen ties Monday, 31 August 2009

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, Skender Hyseni, met with senior government officials during his official visit in Turkey. During a cordial meeting between the President of Turkey, Abdulah Gül, and Hyseni, the status of the strong bilateral diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations were the main topics of discussion. Hyseni thanked Gül on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Kosovo for Turkey’s continued support for the new state. At the meeting, Minister Hyseni highlighted the importance of the intensification of lobbying efforts by the Republic of Turkey for ecognition of Kosovo, owing to Turkey’s membership in the OIC and its stature in the Muslim World. President Gül assured Foreign Minister Hyseni that “the Republic of Turkey will continue to offer its permanent strong support for the Republic of KOsovo,” stressing that “the number of recognitions will continue to grow”. Turkish President added that “The process of the recognitions is unstoppable and irreversible.” Hyseni also held a meeting with Speaker of Turkey’s Parliament, Mehmet Ali Sahin. He emphasized that Turkey has closely monitored the process of Kosovo’s independence and has offered his country’s support. According to him, the Turkish people living in Kosovo have an important role and are a bridge between Turkey and Kosovo Minister Hyseni applauded the role of Turkish state’s continued support for our country. Also, Minister Hyseni thanked the Speaker of Turkish Parliament for Turkey’s support and rapid recognition of Kosovo’s independence. The Foreign Minister also called on Turkish businessmen to invest in Kosovo.

Source: New Kosova Report

Kosova upset over EU preference for Serbia.

Kosovo leadership confronts EU authorities

ANDREW RETTMAN

Euobserver.com

28.08.2009 @ 09:25 CET

“EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – The president and prime minister of Kosovo have walked out of talks with EU representatives in the first serious bilateral rift since Kosovo declared independence last year.

The meeting in Pristina on Thursday (27 August) was designed to soothe ethnic Albanian fears over a new police co-operation agreement between the EU’s police mission to Kosovo, EULEX, and Serbia’s interior ministry.

The co-operation protocol will help EULEX and Serb police share information on cross-border organised crime and is a pre-condition for Serbia to obtain visa free travel to the EU in 2010.

Kosovo leaders said that EULEX’ direct dealing with Serbia undermines their attempt to establish a sovereign state.

“The Kosovo leaders reiterated in the meeting their firm position against the protocol and emphasised that from today any debate and discussion on this issue is completely closed. Kosovo does not take any obligation and responsibility for issues which it has not decided in a sovereign way,” the office of Kosovo president Fatmir Sejdiu said.

The statement came out after Mr Sejdiu and Kosovo prime minister Hashim Thaci broke off talks with EULEX chief Yves de Kermabon and the EU’s civilian representative to Kosovo, Pieter Feith.

The police protocol has stoked anger in the majority ethnic Albanian population in Kosovo.

On Wednesday, the ethnic Albanian Vetevendosja (“self-determination”) movement attacked EULEX vehicles in events leading to 21 arrests.

“We want the Republic of Kosovo to join the EU. But what we need are economic experts, doctors, scientists to help us develop. Not EU policemen to rule over us in a completely unaccountable way,” Vetevendosja leader Albin Kurti told EUobserver.

Mr Kurti said Serbian police were involved in the killings of ethnic Albanian civilians in the 1990s: “They are criminals. They killed 12,000 people and only a dozen or so of those responsible are in prison.”

Serbia’s minister for Kosovo, Goran Bogdanovic, gave provocative comments to the Serbian Vecernje novosti newspaper on Thursday.

“With this document [the police protocol], the EU is confirming Serbia’s integrity even on the areas that our country does not have full control over,” he said.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 with the backing of the EU institutions and the US. Twenty two out of 27 EU states have recognised its sovereignty. But Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia and Romania have not.

The EU visa free deal will cut along ethnic lines in the Balkans.

The agreement is to embrace the majority Orthodox Christian countries, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia. But it will exclude the majority Muslim Kosovo and Albania.

Bosnian Muslims will also be stuck with visa requirements. But most Bosnian Serbs will benefit from the EU deal because they hold Serbian passports.”

End of Article.

The EU visa deal cited in the article is one which gives free visas to virtually all Balkan countries excluding the majority Muslim ones i.e. Kosova, Bosnia and Albania. In Bosnia however citizens are entitled to have dual nationality and most Serbs and Croats living in the country have Serbian and Croatian passports so benefit from the new visa deal whereas the Muslim Bosniaks do not. Albania though usually cited as being majority Muslim is only nominally Muslim with most Albanians not being actual believers. Paradoxically whilst being upset certain Bosniak nationalists see an advantage in this discriminatory treatment as they believe that it will increase the amount of Serbs and Croats leaving the country and thus increasing the Bosniak majority there and contributing to a process where by Bosnia becomes a de facto Bosniak state. However fundamentally these anti-Muslim policies will contribute to Balkan Muslims being very wary of the EU and increase their already very strong support of the United States, which many see as being a protector in a very hostile Christian Europe.

Turkey which is also increasing its economic and geo-political power and influence massively will also be seen as a nother very valuable friend towards these states. Turkey is home to many Muslim citizens of Bosnian and Albanian ancestry and Albania has a defence pact with Turkey which commits NATO’s second largest army to defending the Balkan state if attacked.

Albanian and Turkish leaders, Sali Berisha and Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tirana. Turkey has a commitment to defending the Balkan state.