Germany insists on dialogue and establishment of special court (Koha)
In a front-page report, the paper notes that the German Government will not interfere in the establishment of new institutions in Kosovo, but has two conditions for the new government: resumption of dialogue with Belgrade and the establishment of the special court. Unnamed officials in Berlin told the paper that the German Government has nothing against the inclusion of the Vetevendosje Movement in the new government, if it changes its approach toward dialogue with Belgrade. “Personally, however, I don’t expect this to happen,” a source in Berlin told the paper.
Jahjaga might summon leaders to meeting (Epoka e Re)
Arber Vllahiu, senior advisor for media and public relations to the Kosovo President, said on Monday that Assembly members, and not the President, have the mandate to find a solution for establishing new institutions. “The President on several occasions called on MPs to respect the decision of the Constitutional Court and to find a solution for the establishment of the Assembly, in order to pave the way for other institutional steps. In the event that the functioning of the state is at risk, the facilitation of talks between political forces is not excluded,” Vllahiu said.
Thaci: Will of the people cannot be reversed (dailies)
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci called on all political parties on Monday to respect the decision of the Constitutional Court. “In the next couple of days, we are going to call on other parties to establish the Assembly and elect the new government, and we will then proceed with the implementation of the ‘New Mission’. I expect the entire political landscape to respect this. No one can violate the constitutional and legal order of Kosovo. No one can reverse the will of the people, as expressed on 8 June,” Thaci said.
Haliti: Leaders should break deadlock (Kosova Sot)
Xhavit Haliti, deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), said in an interview for Klan Kosova on Monday that he did not expect a political deadlock in Kosovo and that he expected “a better decision from the Constitutional Court”. “I believed the Constitutional Court would clarify things and would prevent parliamentary groups from creating this deadlock. Without the readiness of political parties it will be difficult to emerge from this situation,” he said. Haliti said he does not rule out a coalition government with the Vetevendosje Movement. “Albin Kurti [of Vetevendosje ] and Hashim Thaci [of PDK] are big political opponents. But if we look to the past, they were in contact; especially in the time of the Kosovo Liberation Army … It is not difficult for the Vetevendosje Movement to be part of a joint government. I don’t believe Kurti is a greater patriot than Thaci.”
Tahiri calls on Serbia to stop making threats (Koha)
Kosovo officials reacted to a statement by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on Monday that the Serbian Gendarmerie will fire without warning against anyone who crosses the boundary line. Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and chief negotiator Edita Tahiri said Vucic must clarify whether he was referring to illegal border crossings or to freedom of movement. “This is not the first time that Serbian officials ignore policies of good neighborly relations. I would advise Vucic that Serbia needs to reform its mindset because the time of making threats is long gone,” she said. Tahiri said that the border demarcation between Kosovo and Serbia will be addressed in the third phase of talks in Brussels. Tahiri also said that Kosovo would continue to respect the Brussels agreements, including on good neighborly relations with Serbia, “although it is clear that Serbia has a lot to do in order to normalize relations with Kosovo”.
Tense relations between the North and EULEX (Tribuna)
Aleksandar Jablanovic, leader of the Serbian List, said on Monday that relations between northern Serbs and EULEX were never ideal, but that both sides nonetheless had felt obligated to cooperate with each other. Jablanovic said that relations have become even more strained after the arrest warrants against Zubin Potok mayor Stevan Vulovic and former mayor Slavisa Ristic.
Jahjaga values Farina’s work (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga held a farewell meeting on Monday with the outgoing KFOR Commander, General Salvatore Farina, who was accompanied by the new KFOR Commander, General Francesco Figliuolo. Jahjaga said she valued highly the engagement of General Farina and expressed appreciation for his work in Kosovo. She also welcomed the new KFOR Commander, stressing that KFOR has continuously played an important role in promoting security and stability in Kosovo and the region.
