Kosovo Holds Tear Gas-Free Assembly Session

MPs from Kosovo's three opposition parties, Vetevendosje [Self-Determination], The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, AAK, and Nisma [Initiative for Kosovo] boycotted Tuesday's assembly session, allowing for the first session in months to be held in normal conditions, without being interrupted by tear gas.

It was the first session of parliament in 2016 not to be disrupted by violent opposition protests and also the shortest one in years - only five minutes long.

A recommendation to appoint members of the Procurement Review Body, an independent public agency that monitors tenders, failed to pass as only 43 of 75 MPs voted in favour.

One of the eight key criteria that the EU has set for visa liberalisation for Kosovo is the appointment of independent members to the procurement watchdog.

Adem Grabovci, chairman of the parliamentary group of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, expressed delight about the peaceful atmosphere in the chamber.

"I hope for normality to return to the assembly and call on the opposition to return and give its contribution," he said. "Violence has produced no results but to cause distress to Kosovo citizens and our best international friends," Grabovci added.

The opposition parties had blocked parliamentary activity since October, objecting to the government's EU-mediated agreements with Serbia and Montenegro.

They object in particular to the deal with Serbia as it provides for the establishment of an autonomous Association of Serbian Municipalities in Kosovo, which the opposition says will give the Kosovo Serbs - and Serbia - too much power.