• At EBRD summit, Kurti lists priorities of new Kosovo government (media)
• Kurti to EBRD: We could do better but EU could do more (media)
• Thaci: U.S. to maintain focus on Kosovo and the region (RTK)
• Sources: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to be reached by year’s end (Klan Kosova)
• Prospect of broadening Lajcak’s portfolio seen in Pristina with concern (Koha)
• Cakaj and Konjufca with a joint statement on Presevo Valley coalition (RTK)
• Specialist Chambers ready to initiate proceedings (media)
• Abrashi: We have almost collected signatures for Assembly session (T7/RTK)

Kosovo Media Highlights

At EBRD summit, Kurti lists priorities of new Kosovo government (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said on Monday at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Western Balkans Investment Summit that European integration and NATO membership are priorities of Kosovo government’s foreign policy.

In a Facebook post, Kurti said met officials from EBRD and Western Balkans leaders.

“Today is three weeks since our government was voted at the Assembly, and I am pleased that I had the opportunity to speak on this day about the importance of investments on economy, youth entrepreneurship, especially on information technology, infrastructure which connects and enables development, relations with Serbia and reciprocity principle etc.

“Employment and justice on one hand, and European integration and NATO membership on the other, are our priorities as a new government of Kosovo. We will strengthen our citizens economically and we will represent our country as good as possible politically.

“We already have 77 reached agreements with the Republic of Albania – we will add energy and new dynamics to their implementation. As the government of Kosovo we will also cooperate with the government of Montenegro and North Macedonia, in the projects of mutual interest aiming also joint meetings of the governments with them” he wrote.

Kurti to EBRD: We could do better but EU could do more (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti spoke to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on the sidelines of its Western Balkans investment summit in London.

“Seventy five years ago, Western Europe had U.S. and its Marshall Plan and we have EU and whereas we could do better, we believe that EU could do more. But something that comes from Europe and we really appreciate in Western Balkans Six is EBRD because their key word is investment,” Kurti said adding that he looked forward to continuing cooperation.

Kurti said that Kosovo will focus on the rule of law in order to fight corruption but it will also make efforts in linking the labour market to qualitative education. “We need better infrastructure, especially railways, where EBRD could help us a lot, and regional roads in order to have better connectivity inside our country and with our neighbouring countries.”

Speaking about the event itself, Kurti said it was a good opportunity to discuss with other heads of states. “I’m only three weeks in office but there is great enthusiasm in Kosovo and I want this enthusiasm to transmit in more regional cooperation and in more investments for the region, especially for the Republic of Kosovo.”

Thaci: U.S. to maintain focus on Kosovo and the region (RTK)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci had a meeting with experts at the Brookings Institute where he said that the role of the U.S. in efforts to reach a sustainable peace in the Western Balkans is irreplaceable.

“Final peace agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is key to peace, stability, economic development, and Euro-Atlantic perspective of Kosovo and the whole region,” Thaci said.

He also said that the EU is delaying Kosovo’s integration path and that of the entire Western Balkans region and that this is harming the trust in EU institutions and diminishing the influencing power of the EU.

Sources: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to be reached by year’s end (Klan Kosova)

An unnamed official from Brussels is reported to have told Klan Kosova that the final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is expected to be achieved by the end of this year.

This plan, which the source said is being discussed since January, includes at its core recognition of Kosovo while Kosovo Serbs are expected to get a ‘sophisticated’ autonomy referred to as “Ahtisaari Plus”. The basis for this is the agreement signed by the parties in 2015 on the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities.

Prospect of broadening Lajcak’s portfolio seen in Pristina with concern (Koha)

The possible appointment of Miroslav Lajcak, from Slovakia, as EU’s special envoy for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue does not present a problem for opposition parties in Kosovo although he comes from a non-recognising country but they are concerned with the reports that Lajcak could be given a broader portfolio covering also Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“I would prefer he gets the title of a Balkans envoy rather than envoy for Bosnia and Kosovo, because it would wrongly create a link which could be misused and misapplied in Serbia,” said Enver Hoxhaj, deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and former foreign minister of Kosovo.

At the same time, chairperson of the Kosovo Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Commission, Time Kadrijaj from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said that Lajcak coming from Slovakia is not concerning as in the new post he would have to represent not his country but the interests of the EU.

Cakaj and Konjufca with a joint statement on Presevo Valley coalition (RTK)

Foreign Ministers of Albania and Kosovo, Gent Cakaj and Glauk Konjufca, issued a joint statement on the Presevo Valley coalition.

“In the capacity of foreign policy chairs of the Republic of Kosovo and Albania, we underline once again the importance of the support of the coalition of Albanian political parties in Presevo Valley. This coalition is essential to upgrading the national spirit and safeguarding the political rights of Albanians in the Valley. Therefore, we will not save any efforts to support the United Valley project to the end!” they wrote.

Specialist Chambers ready to initiate proceedings (media)

Kosovo Specialist Chambers based in The Hague issued a statement saying that the Specialist Prosecutor has notified the President of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers of his intent to initiate proceedings before the Specialist Chambers and requested the assignment of a Pre-Trial Judge.

“The President has therefore assigned a Pre-Trial Judge in accordance with the Law and the Rules of Assignment of Specialist Chamber Judges from the Roster of International Judges to review indictments filed by the Specialist Prosecutor. The content of indictments remains confidential, unless and until confirmed by the Pre-Trial Judge,” the statement reads.

Abrashi: We have almost collected signatures for Assembly session (T7/RTK)

Gazmend Abrashi, Kosovo Assembly MP from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) said his political party is very close to collecting 40 signatures of the MPs for an extraordinary session about the 100 percent tariff on products from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The Alliance (AAK) will use all democratic methods at the Parliament. We have requested from the other parties, as we need their votes, and we are very close to collecting them and to discuss it at the Assembly. We have requested votes of PDK and NISMA,” Abrashi told T7 broadcaster.

He added that he has arguments to prove that it is too early to lift the tariff. “We should wait until we reach national consensus,” he said.