Mogherini: Dialogue between two sovereign states (dailies)
The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, during her visit to Pristina on Thursday urged Kosovo institutions to establish the special court that will address war crimes allegations. Mogherini said the energy should be focused on the implementation of the agreements reached in Brussels, but also on discussing new topics. “However, some parts of past agreements are being implemented, and this cannot be overlooked. Obviously not everything was achieved, but I am very optimistic about the Pristina – Belgrade dialogue,” Mogherini said. She added that the meeting of the Western Balkans Foreign Ministers in Pristina has shown that there is room for cooperation. Regarding the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), Mogherini said that the SAA between Kosovo and the EU is expected to be signed during the summer.
Koha Ditore and Epoka e Re highlight Mogherini’s answer to a Serb student during a debate at the National Library in Pristina where she is quoted as saying that the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue is “between two sovereign states”.
Mogherini also met opposition leaders from the Vetevendosje Movement and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Visar Ymeri and Ramush Haradinaj. After the meeting, Ymeri said they discussed the Brussels dialogue and the special court. He reiterated Vetevendosje’s position against the establishment of the special court.
Agreement reached to dissolve “Civil Protection” (dailies)
The Kosovo government announced on Thursday that an agreement was reached with Belgrade to dissolve the so-called “Civil Protection”. The agreement was brokered by the European Union. Kosovo’s Minister without portfolio, Edita Tahiri, who led the negotiations on the issue, said the agreement is very important because it leads to the dissolution of the Serb parallel structure and it enables the integration of its members into Kosovo’s institutions. “The agreement provides for the closure of all facilities, offices and warehouses that were used by this illegal structure in the northern municipalities and their integration into Kosovo’s institutions. This agreement shall be implemented by 1 September 2015,” Tahiri said.
Jahjaga: Kosovo to meet visa liberalization criteria by June (dailies)
Kosovo’s President, Atifete Jahjaga, met on Thursday with the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. Jahjaga and Mogherini discussed political developments in Kosovo and the region, and Kosovo’s European agenda. Jahjaga said that Kosovo institutions were committed to stepping up their work and meeting all remaining criteria for visa liberalization by June. Jahjaga expressed Kosovo’s commitment to the process of normalization of relations with Serbia. Welcoming the number of agreements reached with the mediation of the EU and constructiveness of the parties in the dialogue process, Jahjaga stressed the importance of implementation of these agreements as evidence of political will and a prerequisite for progress towards European integration.
Prime Minister Mustafa to report to Assembly on special court today (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, today will report to the Assembly of Kosovo in relation to the establishment of the special court which will address war crimes allegations. The ruling coalition parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) will call on MPs to fulfill this international obligation, while the opposition is expected to strongly oppose it, considering it unfair to Kosovo.
