Opposition divided over the meeting with Jahjaga (Epoka e Re)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, has invited political party leaders for a meeting today, Monday 8 February, to overcome the political crisis. Jahjaga plans to meet the leaders in the presence of the U.S. Ambassador, Greg Delawie and the EU Representative to Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar. In addition to the leaders of the Democratic Party (PDK), Hashim Thaci, and the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Isa Mustafa, participation was confirmed by the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj. The leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, Visar Ymeri and the leader of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) announced that they would not participate in this meeting. In a press release, Haradinaj explained his reasons for wanting to participate in the meeting. “I request of this meeting to dissolve the parliament and for the country to hold early elections, this being the only solution to overcome the crisis,” Haradinaj wrote.
Caushi accuses Haradinaj for “flirting” with Mustafa and Thaci (Bota Sot)
Vetevendosje’s deputy leader Driton Caushi criticized the decision of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj to attend the meeting of political representatives called by Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga. Caushi said in a Facebook post that Jahjaga has continuously sided with the government and has disregarded opposition demands. “This meeting is bad for the opposition and damaging for Kosovo,” said Caushi adding that agreeing to attend a meeting with Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and his Deputy Hashim Thaci is a sign of “flirting” with the government parties and in complete violation of what the opposition stands for.
NISMA: Jahjaga’s meeting to prepare presidential elections (Telegrafi)
In a statement to the media, the opposition party Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) said that it considers Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga’s invitation to an inter-party dialogue represents a means of preparing the ground electing a new President of Kosovo from the ruling parties. The party said its leader would not attend the meeting and that the only dialogue at this point would have to revolve around setting the date for new elections.
Deda: Even enemies discuss (Klan Kosova)
Kosovo Assembly MP from the Vetevendosje movement, Ilir Deda, wrote on his Facebook page that the meeting called by the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjga, with Prime Minister Isa Mustafa and his deputy Hashim Thaci, is of no harm to anyone. He further notes that participation at the meeting does not mean that they will reach an agreement. “Tomorrow’s meeting held by President Jahjaga is a good opportunity to tell Thaci and Mustafa directly, that they have violated the Constitution, and that they should resign and to set the date for early elections. It can also be requested for the future President to be elected through the votes of the citizens and not at the Assembly. They can also decide for these discussions among leaders to go on until 15-16 February, to ensure enough time to come up with a solution. If this were to happen, it will be made clear by 17 February, who doesn’t want to reach an agreement. Even enemies talk to each other after war, and we should resolve the crisis that we have created ourselves, through the decision for early elections,” wrote Deda.
KDI: Accept President Jahjaga’s invitation (dailies)
The Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) research group encouraged leaders of political parties to accept Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga’s invitation for a meeting today stressing that dialogue is the only way to resolve political disagreements.
FYROM’s Foreign Minister to visit Kosovo today (Epoka e Re)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Poposki, will arrive today in Kosovo for an official visit. He will meet with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hashim Thaci. They are expected to sign an agreement allowing for the crossing of the border between the two countries with ID cards, and an agreement for the new border crossing in Stancic-Bellanoc, which have to both be approved later by the Assemblies of Kosovo and FYROM. Thaci and Popovski are also expected to discuss the Pristina-Skopje motorway as well as other joint regional initiatives.
North Mitrovica University functions under Serbia’s laws and budget (Koha)
The paper reports on the front page that North Mitrovica University continues to function under Serbia’s law and is also funded by the government in Belgrade while the Kosovo government has not taken any steps that would lead to the integration of this university in Kosovo’s education system. Officials from Kosovo’s Ministry of Education said the government is making necessary preparations to set up an expert team that would look into the compatibility of the statute of North Mitrovica University with those of other Kosovo universities.
