• LDK wants seven ministries, Vetevendosje offers them five (Koha)
• Kurti: There must be cooperation between Pristina and Sarajevo (Koha)
• President Thaci briefed by institutions on suspected poisoning of CEC staff (media)
• Prosecution investigates ballot envelopes that came from Serbia (Epoka)
• Kosovo’s battle with Serbia over INTERPOL membership (Zeri)
• Kurti meets UK Ambassador Nicholas Abbott (RTK)
• Mustafa meets Apostolova, informs about meetings with LVV (RTK)
• Apostolova: No visa liberalization without combating corruption (RTK)
• Tahiri ignores international calls for appointment of new notaries (Zeri)
• Sexual violence survivor files lawsuit with Special Prosecution (media)
• Palmer cancels participation at security forum in Belgrade, sends deputy (Koha)

LDK wants seven ministries, Vetevendosje offers them five (Koha)

The paper reports on its leading front-page story that the Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo, two parties that won the highest number of votes in the snap parliamentary elections, have different positions on the division of ministries in a new government. Citing unnamed sources, the paper reports that the LDK does not want the two parties to have an equal number of ministries. “This was the principle agreement before the elections,” the source said. He added that the LDK wants the party that gets the post of Prime Minister to have four ministries less than the second partner of the ruling coalition. Vetevendosje representatives on the other hand said the post of Prime Minister cannot be calculated with the division of power and that the two parties must have an equal number of ministries, five each. The other two ministries would belong to minority communities. “The post of Prime Minister cannot be negotiated. The people decided on this through their vote. What can be negotiated are the ten ministries. As there is a little difference in votes between the LVV and LDK, the ministries will be divided equally, each party will get five ministries,” a source from Vetevendosje told the paper.

Kurti: There must be cooperation between Pristina and Sarajevo (Koha)

Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti said in an interview to BRHT on Monday that in November he could assume the post of Prime Minister and that immediately after this there will be efforts to find a solution on issues related to the import tariff on products from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Kurti implied there will be direct talks between Pristina and Sarajevo, adding that the new government of Kosovo would never include “Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the same sentence”. “We will establish direct talks with Sarajevo and in doing so we will find the best possible solution for cooperation between our two countries. Together with our experts for economy and experts for international law and international relations we will try to find a creative solution,” Kurti added.

President Thaci briefed by institutions on suspected poisoning of CEC staff (media)

All media report that Kosovo President Hashim Thaci met on Monday with the President of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Valdete Daka, the Chief State Prosecutor, Aleksandër Lumezi and the Director of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, Shpend Maxhuni, who informed him about the results of the investigations regarding the reports of the poisoning of the CEC employees who had contact with envelopes coming from outside Kosovo. President Thaci called on the relevant institutions to investigate the case to the end. “I urge the state institutions to professionally investigate the entire case and to undertake all necessary steps to clear up the suspicions of the poisoning of the CEC personnel,” Thaci said. He added that it is encouraging that all responsible institutions have undertaken the appropriate measures. “The representatives of state institutions notified that the examination of the envelope samples taken at the Voter Service is expected to be completed. the examinations, according to them, will be done together with international experts,” Informs the press release. Thaci further called for restraint until the investigation is completed. “I call for restraint from political statements and unconfirmed reports until the end of investigations,” he said.

Prosecution investigates ballot envelopes that came from Serbia (Epoka)

Kosovo’s State Prosecution and Kosovo Police are commencing required examinations that would reveal details on the circumstances of the case of poisoning of the employees of the ballot counting center. Prosecution spokesperson Ekrem Lutfiu said they are currently waiting for the results of toxicology analysis. “We have just received the information that the prosecutor of the state went to the site to undertake all the required measures, investigations. Currently we cannot give more information. As soon as we receive the analysis results, I believe the Prosecution will be able to make a statement on the issues,” Lutfiu said.

Kosovo’s battle with Serbia over INTERPOL membership (Zeri)

The paper reports on its front page that for nine years now Kosovo has been trying to join the international police organisation – INTERPOL – but that it could fail again this year “as Serbia has pledged to use all its capacities at the INTERPOL General Assembly, which meets today, to prevent Kosovo from joining the organisation”. Representatives of institutions in Pristina said on Monday that Kosovo has met all the requirements to become part of INTERPOL, but security experts warn that it was a strategic mistake to apply for this year as lobbying for the membership bid was not a priority of the Haradinaj-led government.

Kurti meets UK Ambassador Nicholas Abbott (RTK)

Vetevendosje Movement Albin Kurti met on Monday with the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo Nicholas Abbott, and head of the Political Department at this Embassy, Samuel Paice. LVV informed through a press release that Abbott congratulated Kurti for the elections success and added that UK will continue with its support for Kosovo. “Leader Kurti informed the Ambassador that the priorities of the new government is to reduce the government and strengthen the state, institutional and legal justice, economic development as well as employment. As far as the election process is concerned, he said irregularities and violations at municipalities with Serb majority as well as start of the dialogue from the ground, with local Serbs who live in Kosovo, have to be addressed,” informs the press release.

Mustafa meets Apostolova, informs about meetings with LVV (RTK)

Isa Mustafa, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) met on Monday with head of the EU Office in Kosovo Nataliya Apostolova. He informed Apostolova about the meetings of the working groups of his political party with the Vetevendosje Movement in order to accord their programs towards a joint governance. Apostolova on the other hand expressed appreciation for the hospitality to Mustafa and encouraged LDK for its constructive role in the continuous development of Kosovo.

Apostolova: No visa liberalization without combating corruption (RTK)

Head of the EU Office in Kosovo Nataliya Apostolova spoke on Monday at opening of the new academic year at Business International College in Mitrovica about the freedom of movement at Schengen zone for Kosovo people. She reiterated that combatting of corruption and organized crime is an essential condition for visa liberalization. She expressed hope that the free movement for Kosovo will be achieved during the Finish presiding of the EU. She also advised on strengthening of the educational system based on transparency, stability and nominations through a selection process.

Tahiri ignores international calls for appointment of new notaries (Zeri)

The paper reports on page nine that Kosovo’s outgoing Minister of Justice, Abelard Tahiri, has ignored calls from the EU Office in Kosovo which said that the outgoing government should not make any decisions related to the appointment of new notaries. Tahiri said the appointment of new notaries is fully legitimate and that it should happen.

The EU Office said in a statement, “the European Union is a steadfast supporter of the Free Legal Professions in Kosovo and in this regard has supported the local authorities and these professions directly to strengthen them in terms of their number and status. This also includes the notaries as those who guarantee a lawful and safe legal contracting and prevent documentary fraud. The regular and lawful selection and appointment process of the notaries is essential to foster the trust that the society vests upon the individuals who play this responsible role. This process must therefore be free from any allegations of irregularity, either true or perceived. We call on the outgoing authorities of Kosovo to refrain from appointments of any notaries as we strongly believe the decision in this regard should be left to the new government.”

The German Ambassador to Kosovo, Christian Heldt, took to Twitter on Monday to say “EU puts out statement cautioning rushed appointment of notaries today, followed by statement of #Kosovo Minister of Justice saying he will go ahead anyway. I strongly recommend taking voiced concerns seriously: People here are not served if notary acts aren’t recognized abroad”.

Koha Ditore too covers the topic under the headline Tahiri’s notaries will not be recognised abroad.

Sexual violence survivor files lawsuit with Special Prosecution (media)

All media report that Shyhrete Tahiri – Sylejmani, a survivor of sexual violence from the war in Kosovo, has filed a lawsuit at the Special Prosecution of Kosovo on Monday demanding justice. “I am here with you today to share the pain I have in my soul. I represent all the mothers, brothers and daughters that have this pain. It is not easy. I am here to demand justice,” Tahiri – Sylejmani said. Feride Rushiti, Director of the Kosovo Center for the Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors, said no one has been convicted for war crimes even 20 years after the war. She called on state institutions to address this issue with priority. The news website notes that Shyhrete Tahiri is the second victim after Vasfije Krasniqi – Goodman to publicly call for perpetrators to be brought to justice. Krasniqi – Goodman called for justice for all sexual violence survivors. “Dear Shyhrete, you will have my support and my family’s support until the end! My brave woman,” Krasniqi-Goodman told Sylejmani.

Palmer cancels participation at security forum in Belgrade, sends deputy (Koha)

The United States Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Matthew Palmer, has cancelled his participation at the Security Forum in Belgrade which will be held on October 16 – 18, the paper reports on page three. “There is no reason. We were just informed that he won’t be coming and that his deputy will attend,” one of the organisers of the forum told the paper on Monday.