Minority communities to meet President Jahjaga today (Lajm)
Minority community MP Duda Balje announced that, today at 2:00 p.m., minority community representatives will meet Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga and urge her to ask the Constitutional Court to explain item 127 of its ruling on the election of the Assembly Speaker. Balje said that she has secured the signatures of 18 minority community MPs, including from the Serbian List, but that she expects two more MPs to sign the petition by the time they meet Jahjaga. Balje said they consider that the solution to the political stalemate should be sought within the Assembly and not through new elections.
Bloc playing its last card (Tribuna)
On the front page, the paper reports that clarifying item 127 of the Constitutional Court’s ruling, on the election of the Assembly speaker, could be decisive for the agreement between the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) and Vetevendosje. Specifically, if the Court rules that the Speaker’s post belongs only to the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), then the LDK would most likely ask to review the coalition agreement, especially the part which stipulates that the Prime Minister should come from the AAK. The coalition bloc has encouraged minority communities to ask President Atifete Jahjaga to seek clarification of item 127 from the Court. Sources from within the LDK said that party leader Isa Mustafa will not run for Speaker without an unambiguous decision from the Court.
Murphy: Government to be established as soon as possible (Epoka e Re)
US Senator Christopher Murphy said in an interview for the Voice of America that the process of the normalisation of relations between Pristina and Belgrade could not have been imagined five years ago. “There is enthusiasm in both capitals to move forward with these agreements and to discuss future ones,” Murphy said. He said that he has visited Kosovo to make it clear to the current leaders that they should unite to form the government as soon as possible, in order to appear united in front of the world and show their ability to implement the important elements of the Brussels agreement.
Kuci and Meucci discuss transfer of competencies (Lajm)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuci yesterday received the new head of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Gabriele Meucci. In the meeting, the two officials discussed the latest developments in Kosovo, specifically the justice system, reconfiguration of EULEX and transfer of competencies from EULEX to local institutions. Minister Kuci emphasized that the transfer of competencies demonstrates local institutions’ readiness and preparation to tackle new responsibilities while at the same time benefitting from EULEX expertise and cooperation. Meucci stressed the importance of continuing cooperation and further reinforcing the rule of law in Kosovo.
French soldier: I divided Mitrovica (Epoka e Re)
Jacques Hogar, former Commander of French Special Forces, has admitted that French forces divided Mitrovica in 1999. “Our duty was to establish a division line between Albanians and Serbs. We made this division at the River Ibër/Ibar”, he said. Hogar published a book in Belgrade entitled “Europe died in Pristina.” In an interview with the Serbian media, he noted that he had been in Kosovo for only 15 days, from the signing of Kumanovo agreement until NATO troops entered Kosovo.
Albania adds a footnote for Kosovo (Zeri)
The paper writes that the Brussels agreement, which enables Kosovo to participate in regional initiatives, is yielding results. In the recent congress of the Carpathian Balkan Geological Association, which took place in Albania, Kosovo was represented with a footnote attached to its title. Albanian hosts said the footnote was inserted due to the insistence of the Serbian delegation. [The text of the footnote is as follows: “This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC Resolution 1244 and ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.”]
