Belgrade wants additional competencies for Serb association (Kosova Sot)
The paper reports on the front page that the Government of Serbia is drafting a document in which it will request additional competencies for the association of Serb-majority municipalities. A source close to talks between the two sides in Brussels told the paper that Belgrade will ask that all Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo should be included in the association. Kosovo government officials on the other hand insist that the association will only have the competencies that are provided by law for local government. They also argue that Belgrade wants to destabilize the situation.
Accusations about mercenaries expected at Security Council (Tribuna)
The paper reports on the front page that, at the upcoming session of the United Nations Security Council in late August, the Kosovo delegation could be provoked by the Serbian side about the latest developments related to extremist Islam. Kosovo representatives, on the other hand, can point out the involvement of Serbian troops in the Ukraine conflict. Arber Vllahiu, spokesman for Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga, said Kosovo will be represented in New York at the same level as Serbia. “It is possible that President Jahjaga will represent Kosovo. Kosovo is harmonizing all modalities of its representation at international institutions,” Vllahiu said. Skender Hyseni, former Foreign Minister of Kosovo, told the paper that whoever represents Kosovo at the Security Council should present sufficient arguments that Kosovo is consolidating its democracy and that delays in the establishment of institutions are just part of the democratic process.
Thaci to travel to Berlin on 28 August (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci will attend a high-level conference on the Western Balkans, in Berlin, on 28 August, following an invitation from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Ardian Arifaj, a political advisor to Thaci, confirmed the information. Merkel wrote in her invitation that the initiative aims to give new impetus to economic efforts and for improved rule of law, security and reconciliation in the region.
Police arrest terror suspect in Prizren (Bota Sot)
Kosovo Police arrested another terror suspect in the city of Prizren on Wednesday. The paper notes that the suspect is believed to have been part of a network that cooperated with the terrorist organizations ISIS and Al-Nusra. Police said they would continue to look for other suspects. Citing unidentified sources, the paper reports that the police have a list of 150 suspects, including women. A source who preferred to remain anonymous told the paper that one of the arrested suspects is believed to have been planning an attack on the biggest cultural event in Kosovo, the Dokufest film festival in Prizren.
Another two countries to recognize Kosovo soon (Lajm)
Deputy Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi told Radio Kosova on Wednesday that, following the Solomon Islands, another two countries will soon announce their decisions to recognize Kosovo. “At least two more countries have decided to recognize Kosovo and they have been preparing their announcements for several weeks now. Kosovo is currently recognized by half of the UN Member States,” Selimi said.
Uncertainty over number of Kosovo recognitions (Koha)
The paper notes on the front page that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have an accurate list of countries that have recognized Kosovo’s independence. Although Ministry representatives said the latest recognition – from the Solomon Islands – marks the 108th, the Ministry’s official webpage says that 96 countries have recognized Kosovo so far. Opposition representatives and political analysts in Pristina argue that this shows the government’s poor work in foreign policy.
Jahjaga encourages women in business (Kosova Sot)
Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga met on Wednesday with a delegation of women in business, women farmers and women’s rights activists. Jahjaga praised the women for their tireless work and said that state institutions would support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises led by women.
