Withdrawing courts from Kosovo "equal to recognition"

BELGRADE If Serbia meets EU's demand to withdraw its courts from Kosovo, the country will "practically recognize Kosovo as independent." This is according to Association Of Judges of Serbia President Dragana Boljevic. Withdrawing courts from Kosovo "equal to recognition" Boljevic said last week that the new Law on the Organization of the Courts and Prosecutions stipulates that the issue of the courts in Kosovo would be determined by a special law on essential autonomy, but added in that case, a referendum should be called. “For now all the courts in Kosovo remain. The law stipulates that the courts in Kosovo will be regulated by a special law. However, such a law requires a referendum because it essentially changes the Constitution. The provision of the law that says this (special) law will be passed by December 31 is unrealistic,” she said. “Starting January 1 we will have courts in Kosovo, or the law will be passed without a referendum – which would be a violation of the Constitution,” Boljevic said. Asked about the European Union's position, she said this organization was "insisting that Serbia shuts down its courts in Kosovo." "No country should give up on its own sovereignty, because if you withdraw courts from Kosovo, you have practically recognized Kosovo," Boljevic said. (Tanjug, file) Beta VIP

Withdrawing courts from Kosovo "equal to recognition"

Boljević said last week that the new Law on the Organization of the Courts and Prosecutions stipulates that the issue of the courts in Kosovo would be determined by a special law on essential autonomy, but added in that case, a referendum should be called.

“For now all the courts in Kosovo remain. The law stipulates that the courts in Kosovo will be regulated by a special law. However, such a law requires a referendum because it essentially changes the Constitution. The provision of the law that says this (special) law will be passed by December 31 is unrealistic,” she said.

“Starting January 1 we will have courts in Kosovo, or the law will be passed without a referendum – which would be a violation of the Constitution,” Boljević said.

Asked about the European Union's position, she said this organization was "insisting that Serbia shuts down its courts in Kosovo."

"No country should give up on its own sovereignty, because if you withdraw courts from Kosovo, you have practically recognized Kosovo," Boljević said.