Mustafa: Referendum, not adequate for resolving political situation (dailies)
In an interview aired last night on RTK, Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa is quoted as saying that the current political crisis in Kosovo will be resolved, but not through a referendum as the opposition is demanding. “We have no law on referendum. The referendum is used for vital issues,” said Mustafa. Speaking about the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, Mustafa said that an international commission will soon assess the process.
President Jahjaga to address Kosovo Assembly today (Zeri)
Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga is expected today to address MPs during her end-of-year speech in the Kosovo Assembly. Frasher Krasniqi, spokesperson for the Vetevendosje Movement, told the paper that the opposition is against President Jahjaga addressing the Assembly and that the means that will be used to oppose it will be made public prior to the session. Meanwhile, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) MP Bali Muharremaj told the paper that he does not believe that the opposition will prevent Jahjaga from holding her speech, but according to him, it is likely that there will be posters with messages during the session.
Kosovo with teargas, Serbia in EU (Zeri)
The paper on its front page today writes that only Serbia is benefiting from the EU-brokered dialogue with Kosovo. The paper mentions that while the opposition in Kosovo is blocking the work of the Assembly by throwing teargas, Serbia was rewarded with the start of negotiations for EU membership. The expectations of the citizens of Kosovo that the EU will reward them with visa liberalization as a result of dialogue with Serbia have been disappointed, as the conclusions of the EU Council published on Tuesday were negative. European Integration Minister Bekim Collaku told the paper that EU Council’s conclusions do not prejudice the European Commission’s final report on visa liberalization expected to be published within a few days and that he is confident that Kosovo will receive the recommendation for visa liberalization in 2016.
EU doesn’t comment on Thaci’s criticism (Koha)
The European Union Office in Pristina did not comment on a statement by Kosovo’s First Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaci who said on Wednesday that the delay in granting visa liberalization for Kosovo is a serious provocation and lack of political readiness by the leaders in Brussels. Thaci also said: “if the visa liberalization report for Kosovo is negative, we can all protest in front of EU offices.” Asked to comment on Thaci’s remarks, the EU Office in Pristina sent this reply to the paper: “The conclusions of the EU Council relate to the enlargement of the Stabilization/Association process, while the visa liberalization report for Kosovo is expected to be published in late December. The Commission will present the report as soon as possible this month”.
Opposition to hold rally in Malisheva today (Kosovapress)
The news site reports that the three opposition parties, the Vetevendosje Movement, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), will hold a rally in Malisheva today. Opposition representatives said they would attend both the Assembly sessions and the rally in Malisheva.
Tahiri: Opposition with a political agenda (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo’s Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri assessed in an interview for the paper that political crisis is damaging the image of Kosovo. She said the blockade is affecting the visa liberalization process, as well as foreign investments. According to Tahiri, opposition has lost its reason, being that it has more political agenda than dissatisfaction with the Association/Community and demarcation. She added that opposition should act in a democratic manner and based on their mandate as representatives of the population. She said the governing coalition and opposition should sit and discuss and come up with a conclusion which would unblock the situation.
Prosecution files indictment against four opposition MPs (dailies)
The Department of Serious Crimes from the Basic Prosecution in Pristina has filed an indictment against four opposition MPs, three from Vetevendosje – Albin Kurti, Albulena Haxhiu, Faton Topalli – and one from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) – Donika Kadaj-Bujupi. The MPs are charged with use of weapons or dangerous instrument and obstructing official persons from carrying out their duties.
