President Jahjaga meets political leaders (dailies)
All papers report that after the failure of the Kosovo Assembly to elect a speaker yesterday, President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, called separate meetings with political party leaders to discuss ways for overcoming the political stalemate. On this occasion, Jahjaga emphasized that establishment of Kosovo institutions is necessary to move forward processes and MPs have a responsibility in finding solutions within the Kosovo Assembly, based on the Constitution and Kosovo laws and the decision of the Constitutional Court. Although invited separately, the leaders of the post-election bloc attended the meeting together. Tribuna notes on the front page that President Jahjaga listened to the positions of the parties yesterday in separate meetings and quotes what it says are reliable sources in claiming that PDK is ready to make compromises to overcome the situation and has not ruled out the possibility of a comprehensive government. However, the post-election coalition has insisted it has the parliamentary majority and is able to form the government without PDK. Zeri also reports on the front page that VLAN (Vetevendosje, Democratic League of Kosovo, Alliance for Future of Kosovo, and Initiative for Kosovo) has dismissed any possibility of joining a comprehensive government with PDK. The coalition has also opposed the idea of heading to new elections which it believes would further deepen the institutional crisis.
PDK wants talks with opposition bloc (Koha Ditore)
After failing to elect a speaker of the Kosovo Assembly yesterday, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has expressed readiness to meet representatives of other political parties in a bid to resolve the current deadlock. PDK deputy leader Hajredin Kuci recalled that back in 2001, PDK opposed election of Ibrahim Rugova to the post of Kosovo president but nevertheless voted in favour of Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) candidate for Assembly speaker. “We were and are convinced that 8 June elections gave us the right to have the speaker and then proceed with building other institutions. This right was upheld by the Constitutional Court”, said Kuci adding that they expect the next Assembly session takes place as soon as possible and the political parties reflect on their positions. “Democracy means action, activity and cooperation”, pointed out Kuci.
Haliti: We are ready for compromises (Epoka e Re)
Senior official from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Xhavit Haliti, has positively evaluated the initiative of President Atifete Jahjaga to meet with the leaders of political parties about establishment of Kosovo Assembly. He called on all political parties to support this initiative and said that PDK is ready to make compromises with other political parties to enable Kosovo to have its new institutions.
Ymeri: PDK is in minority and will not be part of the government (Bota Sot)
Visar Ymeri from Vetevendosje Movement said that Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is in a minority in the Assembly and that the solution from the stalemate rests with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) and Vetevendosje. According to Ymeri, if the PDK does not take the role of the opposition, the President should step in. He said the PDK has become a problem and an obstacle and that the new government will be established without it.
President Jahjaga travels to the US (Zeri)
President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, is expected to travel today for a ten-day visit to the US. Jahjaga has been invited to attend the works of the 69th UN General Assembly. The paper notes that Jahjaga’s visit to the US comes at a time when Kosovo is facing a political crisis and her trip will make it impossible for her to contribute to the resolving of the current deadlock.
North allowed to have a new energy supplier (Koha Ditore)
Serbs in the north of Kosovo will be able to have their own energy supplier according to the agreement reached between the prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia last September. The way for implementation of the agreement was paved through an action plan for energy to which the both parties consented. In a press conference held yesterday, head of technical talks on energy Naim Bejtullahu presented several options which can provide energy sovereignty to the northern part of Kosovo. He stressed however that Kosovo Energy Distribution and Supply Company (KEDS) will remain the only public supplier that will secure access to the north through a subcontractor. If this scenario fails, KEDS will then hire staff from the north to directly carry out tasks that derive from the license for public supplier. The third option is for KEDS not to supply the north at all with energy but have a different supplier do this. Chief negotiator Edita Tahiri said the action plan marks the concrete beginning of implementation of agreement on energy. “It is important to note that the agreement puts an end to all illegal energy operators that have functioned in the northern part of our country”, said Tahiri. She said in the press conference that claims of the coalition between the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for Future of Kosovo (AAK), Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) and Vetevendosje to review the process of dialogue is similar to the mindset that exists in Serbia. She said that all agreements of the Brussels dialogue have been approved in the Kosovo Assembly.
Sejdiu: President Jahjaga to reflect (Lajm)
Former Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu says that Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga should reflect on her constitutional mandate to find a solution after Kosovo Assembly failed yesterday to elect the candidate of Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) for assembly speaker. In a statement for public broadcaster RTK, former president Sejdiu said that political forces should offer a solution to emerge from the crisis.
KIC: Imams are innocent (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo Islamic Community (KIC) has expressed concern about the recent arrests of twelve imams. Through a press release, KIC said it believed in the innocence of imams until the point when judicial institutions prove otherwise. On Thursday it was reported that the detained imams will be held in custody for another 48 hours until a further decision is taken. At the same time, Bota Sot quotes head of KIC, Naim Ternava, as saying that there should be no protests held today against the arrests of imams.
