PDK MPs change stance on special court (Zeri)
The paper writes on its front page that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MPs will be more unified on the revote of the establishment of the special court. Some PDK MPs who initially voted against or abstained have already changed their stance. A PDK deputy leader, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the paper that their MPs will support the establishment of the specialist chambers and will ensure the necessary votes. “In the following days, the leader of the party, Hashim Thaci, will consult separately with the MPs in order to clarify things. We cannot fail again in the creation of this court,” the senior PDK official added. According to him, only three MPs are expected to vote against: Ganimete Musliu, Nait Hasani and Fadil Demaku.
Mustafa: Dialogue with Serbia requires special attention (Epoka e Re)
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said during the government meeting on Wednesday that the issues being discussed with Serbia in Brussels require a special attention. He informed the government that the agreement on the telephone code for Kosovo is reached and that they are waiting only for it to be signed. He also added that the positions of the parties on the issue of the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities have moved closer.
Merkel asks Vucic for compromise in dialogue with Kosovo (Epoka e Re)
After her official visit to Tirana, German Chancellor Angela Merkel travelled on Wednesday to Belgrade, where she met with the Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic. After the meeting, they appeared at a press conference, where Merkel stated that Belgrade has shown readiness to make compromises with Pristina. She said that her country supports reforms in Serbia, adding that there are positive results on this direction. She expressed her appreciation for Vucic’s initiatives for regional reconciliation and readiness to reach compromise with Pristina. Prior to her trip to Belgrade, Merkel stated that opening of the dialogue chapters with Pristina and the flow of these discussions is closely related to Serbia’s path towards the European Union.
Jacobson: Association/Community, with no executive powers (Zeri)
The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson, in the second part of her interview with the paper, said that the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities is expected to have an important role in the management of funds, but will not have an executive mandate. “The government here has been very clear that the Association/Community will have no executive power. This was also agreed in Brussels in 2013, and the drafts that I have seen so far do not foresee that it would have any executive power,” Jacobson said. Meanwhile, in an interview with the RTK, Jacobson said that the Kosovo government has promised to return of the issue of the special court to the Assembly, after failing to secure the necessary votes two weeks ago. Jacobson emphasized that the special court should be established as soon as possible, because, according to her, the US cannot deal with the problems in Kosovo all the time.
Mustafa informs ministers on his meeting with Merkel (Zeri)
Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, on Wednesday informed his ministers on the meeting that he had days ago with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Mustafa said they discussed Kosovo’s European integration, the special court and the continuation of the Pristina – Belgrade dialogue. He also said that he has received strong support from the German Government in regards to Kosovo’s economic development.
KAF constitutional amendments to be reviewed this week (Koha Ditore)
The Head of the Kosovo Assembly commission on legislation, Albulena Haxhiu, has rescheduled the review of constitutional amendments for the creation of the Kosovo Armed Forces (KAF) for this Friday. This was done to enable the Assembly to debate on the draft law next week during its plenary session. The Serbian List, part of the ruling coalition, continues to oppose the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into the Kosovo Armed Forces.
SAA to be signed this summer (Epoka e Re)
The Director for Western Balkans at the European Commission, Jean Eric Paquet, stated during a press conference on Wednesday that the Stabilization Association Agreement is in its final phase but that there is not yet a date for its signing. However, he said that this agreement will be signed during the summer, since Kosovo has marked progress in many fields. Within this context, Paquet said that the institutions have done a great job with regards to the rule of law, war against crime and corruption.
FM Thaci to take part in Srebrenica anniversary (Telegrafi)
Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci will take part in the commemoration marking the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre. “The invitation has arrived and has been accepted”, a source told Radio Dukagjini.
Prizren to march in commemoration of Srebrenica massacre (RTK)
Two Bosniak NGOs based in Prizren supported by the Municipality of Prizren will organize a march today to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre. “Peace March for Srebrenica” will begin at 17.00 hrs in front of the sports hall in Prizren and will end with an artistic performance.
