Jahjaga: Kosovo not alone in fight against radicalism (dailies)
Several dailies carry an interview that Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga gave to Radio Free Europe on Monday. Jahjaga said it was important for state institutions to act against individuals and groups that pose a threat to national security. “Our society needs to distance itself from criminal and extremist actions that have nothing in common with our values and ideals, that serve as foundations for our state. Our security institutions will cooperate closely to uproot this threat that does not concern our country alone, but also the region and beyond,” she said. Jahjaga also highlighted other challenges that await Kosovo, such as the establishment of new institutions, the special court and dialogue with Belgrade. Jahjaga said the special court would operate according to Kosovo laws and determine individual responsibilities for alleged crimes.
Jahjaga also said that new institutions need to be established as soon as possible, because the government and Assembly of Kosovo have important decisions to make. “I am confident that Kosovo and the entire political landscape will act responsibly toward our international responsibilities,” she said. Jahjaga noted that Kosovo remains committed to the process of dialogue with Belgrade, with mediation by the European Union. “Dialogue should continue until all issues are solved between our countries as this will enable normalization of relations. We also insist that the process of dialogue should conclude with a peace treaty that would be legally binding and would recognize Kosovo’s independence,” Jahjaga said.
Opposition bloc against new elections (Koha)
New parliamentary elections are still an option according to the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Vetevendosje Movement. But the coalition of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), also known as LAN, is against new elections claiming that they have the majority to form the government. PDK and Vetevendosje representatives believe that new elections could help overcome the institutional blockade. “But first we need to wait for the ruling of the Constitutional Court,” PDK deputy leader Hajredin Kuci told the paper. Meanwhile, for the international community, it remains unclear if Kosovo will have a new government or if its people will head to polling stations once again.
Limaj: A broad-based government, but without PDK (Epoka e Re)
Fatmir Limaj, leader of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), said on Monday after a meeting with Isa Mustafa, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), and Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), that he supports the idea of a broad-based government, but without the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). Limaj also said this week will be decisive in paving the way to the establishment of new institutions.
PDK: “We are moving towards a coalition with LDK” (Epoka e Re)
Rrustem Mustafa, member of the leadership of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), told the paper on Monday that there has been progress towards forming a coalition with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). Mustafa said the PDK is waiting for the decision of the Constitutional Court on the constitutive session of the Assembly, before working to launch the coalition with the LDK. “We are advancing each day with the idea for the coalition, and in meetings with LDK officials and intellectuals, we see that they are very interested,” Mustafa said.
Kocijancic: No dialogue without EU (Zeri)
Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, said on Monday that the format of talks between Pristina and Belgrade will not change and that negotiating teams would continue to meet in Brussels. Kocijancic’s statement comes one day after Serbian media reported about the possibility of direct dialogue without EU mediation. Kocijancic also said she expects dialogue to resume immediately after the forming of new institutions in Pristina.
Kosovo’s challenges for UN membership (Tribuna)
It has been almost three years since Kosovo officials said they are ready for a peace treaty with Serbia, and started the dialogue with Belgrade in Brussels. However, Belgrade continues to officially ignore not only the statehood of Kosovo but also the agreements reached with Pristina. According to KTV, Serbia continues to finance parallel structures in northern Kosovo. The only pressure put on Belgrade to normalize relations with Kosovo comes from powerful countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany. These two countries have requested that Serbia respect the agreements and give assurances that it will not block Kosovo’s membership at the United Nations and other international organizations.
BIK admits that four “mosques” aren’t under its umbrella (Koha)
The Islamic Community of Kosovo (BIK) admits that four so-called “mosques”, two out of which were recently shut down, are not under its umbrella. BIK representatives said on Monday that these centers need to be closed because they have no information on what kind of activities are held there or who manages them. The two that were shut down were located in Decan and Pristina. The latter was closed as part of a police operation that resulted in the arrest of 40 people suspected of terrorist activities. The other two are located in Dragash. BIK secretary Resul Rexhepi told the paper that there could be other “mosques” that operate outside the BIK umbrella.
Serbs don’t want association to be an NGO (Koha)
Kosovo Serb representatives say that the establishment of the association of Serb majority municipalities is going very slowly, because political leaders in Pristina keep indicating that the association will be registered as a non-governmental organization, a designation that has already been rejected by Kosovo Serbs. Mitrovica North Assembly President Ksenija Bozovic said the establishment of the association is a key issue that will have to be addressed immediately after the forming of the new government in Pristina. “The association of Serb municipalities will be established after the drafting of legal terms that will describe in detail the competencies as foreseen by the Brussels Agreement,” Bozovic said.
Ukrainian troops leaving, Hungarian troops arrive (Kosova Sot)
KFOR issued a press release on Monday saying that the downsizing of troops would not impact its peacekeeping mission. After Ukraine decided to withdraw part of its contingent from Kosovo, KFOR officials said the gap would be filled by troops from Hungary.
