Constitutional Court does not suspend Thaci’s mandate (Koha)
The paper reports on its front page that Hashim Thaci can be inaugurated as President of Kosovo even before the Constitutional Court rules on the opposition’s submission according to which Thaci’s election was not in line with the Constitution. The paper recalls that the opposition bloc had requested a temporary measure that would suspend Thaci’s position as President until a final decision was made by the Court. Representatives of the Vetevendosje Movement, the biggest opposition party, told the paper that the fact that Thaci is making all preparations to assume his mandate shows that he already knows what the Constitutional Court will rule in this case.
Haradinaj explains opposition’s differences (Zeri/Kosovapress)
The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, during an interview for Pristina-based news portal Kosovapress, said there are differences between the opposition parties regarding the forms of opposing the government, but that the opposition remains united in opposing the recent agreements with Serbia and Montenegro. He also said he is against the conflict with the police as a way of solving problems. “We, the AAK, don’t think that we helped Kosovo by releasing teargas and not abiding to law enforcement authorities afterwards,” Haradinaj said. “Our only difference with the other two opposition parties is that we don’t want to have conflicts with the police. We are for political opposition, not legal one,” Haradinaj added.
Grabovci: PDK, open for the AAK (Zeri)
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group chief, Adem Grabovci, has welcomed the statements of the AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj that he didn’t like releasing teargas in the Assembly. Grabovci said that his party has never had anything against the AAK. Furthermore, he said there is open possibility for the PDK to cooperate with Haradinaj’s party in the future. “We have never refused to cooperate with those parties that want the best for the country,” said Grabovci.
Konjufca: Opposition is at crossroads (Zeri)
Vetevendosje Movement parliamentary group chief Glauk Konjufca told Radio Free Europe that after six months of joint activity, Vetevendosje thinks that we are at crossroads and must overcome this crossroads with the next test. According to him, the creation of a political platform and a joint list for elections is seen as the key test for the passing this crossroad.
Political crisis does not affect work of special court (Zeri)
In a front-page story the paper reports that Kosovo has met all the obligations regarding the establishment of the special court for war crimes and that it is now up to the European Union when this court will become operational. Legal experts in Pristina claim that the special court will file the first indictment this year. They also argue that the current political crisis cannot stop the work of this court.
Lunacek: Serbia cannot join EU without recognising Kosovo (RTK)
The Vice President of the European Parliament Ulrike Lunacek said at a debate organised by the Heinrich Boell Foundation in Berlin that Serbia will not be able to become member of the European Union without first recognising Kosovo’s independence. Lunacek emphasized her engagement in convincing the five remaining EU member states in recognising Kosovo. Pristina Mayor Shpend Ahmeti said his party Vetevendosje is not in principle against dialogue with Belgrade but insists it should be based on certain principles. He accused Serbia of not treating Kosovo as an equal partner in talks and of not assuming responsibility for crimes committed during 1999 in Kosovo.
Kosovo to sign extradition treaty with the US (media)
Kosovo and the United States of America will sign an extradition treaty today. The agreement will be signed by the outgoing President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga and the United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie.
