• Kurti and Mustafa to meet and discuss “hot” topics of coalition agreement (media)
• Kosnett: Dialogue break not helpful for Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• CEC: Recount could be finalised on Sunday (Bota Sot)
• Kurti: KIA to be led by an honest individual (Zeri)
• Kurti: I will send even Vetevendosje officials to the prosecution (media)
• Kosovo police in search of two suspects in Oliver Ivanovic’s murder case (media)

Kurti and Mustafa to meet and discuss “hot” topics of coalition agreement (media)

Leader of the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) Albin Kurti is expected to meet today the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Isa Mustafa and according to the media the two will discuss “hot” topics of the coalition agreement.

Kurti said ahead of the meeting that they will discuss the remaining issues in the idea for a government plan and that there is no time to lose because the results of the October parliamentary elections will be certified next week. “I hope we will also tackle issues that have not been discussed, including the programme and also what is the best way to proceed with regards to the division of executive responsibilities,” Kurti said.

Kurti also commented on the possibility of discussing with Mustafa the post of Kosovo president. “We will discuss with president Mustafa these issues but the focus will be on vacant posts. Vacant post is that of the prime minister, ministers, Assembly speaker and deputy ministers. I think this is a more pressing matter.”

LDK leader Mustafa meanwhile said that today’s meeting will address the progress reached by the two parties’ working teams “as well as certain issues that precede the governing agreement.” The party spokesperson Besian Mustafa however said that the division of posts will not be a topic of today’s meeting and that the issue will be brought up once the election results are certified.

Kosnett: Dialogue break not helpful for Kosovo (Telegrafi)

The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett, said that the stalemate of the dialogue with Serbia has not helped Kosovo in either the economic or international aspect.

“When formed, the new government has to give a new impetus to negotiations with Serbia. The United States will always stand by Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence but, as Special Representative Matt Palmer noted recently in Pristina, we cannot see a path towards Kosovo’s full integration into the international system without a comprehensive agreement with Serbia in place.  Better relations with Serbia will not shift the attention from efforts to build a better future for the people of Kosovo but will complement them,” Kosnett said.

Kosnett further said that it is clear the people of Kosovo voted for change by “electing parties whose focus is reducing corruption and increasing economic development. The United States also embrace these goals.”

He said the U.S. expects the formation of the new government of Kosovo to happen as soon as possible and that they also encourage continuous coalition discussions even before the election results are certified. “We also expect, as the Constitution stipulates, for the government of Kosovo to serve for the public welfare of citizens of all communities. We expect all parties, be in in the government or opposition, to act in a responsible and constructive manner,” the U.S. ambassador remarked.

CEC: Recount could be finalised on Sunday (Bota Sot)

Central Election Commission (CEC) spokesperson Valmir Elezi said that the recount of over 1,400 ballots could be concluded on Sunday. “We believe we will manage to conclude the recount earlier than anticipated. The plan was to finish the process by Monday but we can now say that it is realistic to expect that the recount can be concluded on Sunday,” Elezi said.

Kurti: KIA to be led by an honest individual (Zeri)

Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti commented on the resignation of Shpend Maxhuni from the post of Kosovo Intelligence Agency chief saying that the reasons that led him to the decision need to be clarified.

“It needs to be determined why exactly he resigned. Is this related entirely to the big political change of 6 October? I believe that KIA should be led by a very patriotic, professional, honest individual and as a result I cannot not hail Mr. Maxhuni’s resignation,” Kurti said.

Kurti: I will send even Vetevendosje officials to the prosecution (Gazeta Express)

Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) leader and candidate for Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, said in an interview to Tirana-based Top Channel on Thursday that when he assumes the post of Prime Minister, he will not give amnesty to anyone even if they are members of his political party.

“We will free the prosecution and the judiciary from the government. I will not give amnesty. I will send even Vetevendosje members to the prosecution. In Pristina, the first house that we demolished belonged to one of our activists and we demolished it because it had no permit,” Kurti said.

Kurti said that the Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) “were yesterday’s opposition and that the people decided they should be tomorrow’s government”.

Asked to comment on his relations with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Kurti said their disagreements are being misinterpreted as the Vetevendosje Movement has close ties to the Socialist Party of Albania.

Kurti also said he has a condition to discuss the Mini Schengen agreement. “If the Mini Schengen maintains the reciprocity between Kosovo and Serbia, then we can discuss it,” he said. Kurti also said he doesn’t understand the rush for the Balkans Mini Schengen, adding that Albania could have waited for the formation of the new government of Kosovo before joining the initiative.

Kurti also spoke about the exchange of territories idea saying that Kosovo does not want to give up Mitrovica in exchange for national unification.

“There are many politicians in Kosovo that speak about the exchange by giving up the north. In Serbia there is no politician that speaks about giving away territory. We will not give up, we have not changed the concept, the way and strategy yes, we have also made a political calculation,” Kurti said.

Kosovo police in search of two suspects in Oliver Ivanovic’s murder case (media)

Kosovo Police has published photographs of two suspects it is wanting in connection to the murder case of the Kosovo Serb political leader Oliver Ivanovic. The police launched a hotline for anyone who might have information on the two suspects. In the pictures, two seemingly young men are seen walking alongside the “Lola Ribar” street in Mitrovica North.