Haradinaj: Elections are way out of current situation (Epoka)
The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, told KTV on Wednesday that elections are a way out of the current situation. “It is best for Kosovo to go to early elections. This is an exit, a new start. After elections, we would have greater awareness in Kosovo,” Haradinaj said. He did not exclude the possibility for the three opposition parties to run with a joint list for future elections, whenever they are held. “It is optional,” Haradinaj said. He added that the partnership among the three opposition parties is correct. “We are each giving something from ourselves to stop these two issues. We are a united opposition on these two issues,” Haradinaj said.
Gecaj: Opposition should return to the Assembly (Zeri)
Kosovo Deputy Minister of Local Government Administration, Bajram Gecaj, said on Wednesday that he was expecting the decision to send the agreement on the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities to the Constitutional Court and also the latter’s decision to suspend the agreement until a ruling is reached. Gecaj said he expects the Kosovo Assembly to function normally until a final decision is made by the Constitutional Court. “These two months the Assembly should be unblocked and should function normally. The opposition should return to the Assembly,” Gecaj said.
“Agreement on Association/Community should be renegotiated” (Zeri)
In a front-page story, the paper reports that after the suspension of the agreement on the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities, legal and constitutional experts in Pristina argue that the agreement should be renegotiated. Serbian officials in Belgrade, on the other hand, are calling on the European Union to pressure Kosovo into implementing this agreement. Marko Djuric, head of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo, said on Wednesday that Belgrade will continue to work on the statute of the Association, “despite Pristina’s unilateral decision”. Kosovo’s Minister for Communities and Returns, Dalibor Jevtic, said that by suspending the agreement, Kosovo Albanians are trying to delay its implementation. Jevtic also said this was the most important agreement for Kosovo Serbs.
The President “takes side” in dispute over Association/Community (Koha)
The paper reports on its front page that according to certain lawyers in Pristina, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga has “taken sides” in the debate surrounding the Agreement of Principles for the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. They argue that Jahjaga is siding with the opposition and experts who claim that the agreement is in violation with the Constitution of Kosovo. Fisnik Korenica, from the Pristina-based Group for Legal and Political Studies, told the paper that by referring the Principles of the Association to the Constitutional Court, the President implied that the Principles are on the border of violating the Constitution or that they raise serious doubts over their constitutional compliance.
Stojanovic: Sending Association to Constitutional Court, a bad idea (RTK)
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Branimir Stojanovic, said on Wednesday that the decision to send the agreement on Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities to the Constitutional Court “was a bad idea and serves only to buy time”. During a visit to the Novobërdo/Novobrdo municipality, Stojanovic said he expects a positive decision by the Constitutional Court.
Tahiri requests EU’s engagement for implementation of agreements (Epoka)
Kosovo’s Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, has requested from the European Union a powerful engagement in the process of the implementation of the agreements reached between Pristina and Belgrade in Brussels. She said that Serbia’s obstacles and delays and attempts to interfere in the Kosovo state should not be allowed. Tahiri made these statements during a meeting with the Austrian Ambassador to Kosovo, Gernot Pfandler. She expressed appreciation to the Austrian state for the support given to Kosovo’s processes. Tahiri said that Kosovo is rightfully expecting visa liberalization and that the decision for free movement of Kosovo people should be made as soon as possible.
