Prime Minister Mustafa says there will be changes in government (Lajmi)
Kosovo Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, posted on his Facebook profile about the reshuffling of the government, saying that there is a continuous performance evaluation of ministries, members of government, ministers and deputy ministers. Mustafa said he would discuss with the coalition partner, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), and then decide on eventual changes. “The results of the government are visible but there is always room for improvement,” Mustafa wrote. “We will make the necessary changes as a result of the election of Mr. Hashim Thaci as President of the Republic of Kosovo, namely the positions of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. With Assembly President, Mr. Veseli, we regularly discuss the government priorities, the work of the Assembly and the Law on the Government”.
Fajon questions conditioning of visas with border demarcation (dailies)
The European Parliament Member and Rapporteur for visa free regime for Kosovo, Tanja Fajon, yesterday during the first debate on European Commission’s recommendation for visa liberalisation for Kosovo, said she would try to solve the issue of border-demarcation between Kosovo and Montenegro. “The question is how the Commission set the criteria and on what basis. How can an agreement on setting the border be a request for Kosovo while the same request was not presented to Montenegro or any other country,” Fajon is quoted as saying on the front page of Koha Ditore. Fajon also said she was optimistic that she will find an acceptable solution for both parties.
Selimi: We will travel without visas during summer (RTK/RTV Dukagjini)
Kosovo’s Acting Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi, told RTV Dukagjini on Thursday that he does not see obstacles with the issue of border demarcation with Montenegro. He said he was confident that the people of Kosovo will be able to travel without visas before September. “I believe visa liberalization will happen during summer. Minister Çollaku and President Thaçi also made such announcements,” Selimi said.
Dialogue on cadastral records failed (Tribuna Channel)
The dialogue between representatives of Pristina and Belgrade on implementation of cadastral records agreement has failed in Brussels. Belgrade delegation insisted the agreement tackle only the property owned by the members of the Serb community which Pristina authorities refused. In a telephone interview, the head of Kosovo delegation, Edita Tahiri, accused the Serbian side as responsible for the meeting’s failure. She said the request of the Serbian delegation to implement agreement on “ethnic basis” was unacceptable.
Kosovo, Serbia delegations to discuss telecom in Brussels today (Kosovapress)
The teams of Kosovo and Serbia will meet today in Brussels, to discuss Kosovo’s telephone code. Kosovo’s Minister without portfolio, engaged in the dialogue with Serbia, Edita Tahiri, blamed Serbia for lacking on implementation of its obligations and added that she expects to hear on the steps that they have undertaken with regards to the implementation of the agreements reached during the last year. “I do not know what information we will receive from the Serbian party, but we think that this issue is in hands of the European Union, which guarantees the dialogue and which should make pressure,” Tahiri said.
Vetëvendosje against Constitutional Court’s ruling in Deçan/Dečani (Telegrafi)
The Vetëvendosje branch in Deçan/Dečani has opposed the decision of the Constitutional Court to uphold an earlier court ruling giving land to the Orthodox Monastery in the municipality. In a statement, Vetëvendosje said the decision is unacceptable because it expropriates socially-owned property. “It is surprising how high-level institutions like the Constitutional Court legitimize decisions of a regime considered criminal and genocidal by the entire world”, the statement reads adding that the Movement will support any local or central activity organised to oppose the Constitutional Court’s decision.
Delawie: Kosovo should be part of Europe (media)
The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, told RTV21 on Thursday that dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has achieved progress, although it is not moving as fast as it should. He said Kosovo and Serbia have reached progress on improving relations. “Kosovo should have good relations with its neighbors. Balkans states should work together, and try to make things happen, bring practical changes,” Delawie said, adding that Kosovo should be part of Europe.
Kosovo leads the world in approval of U.S. leadership (Koha)
The paper reports on page two on a survey by the Gallup Institute about the approval of the U.S. leadership in the world in 2015. The survey showed that Kosovo leads the region – and the world – in approval for the second consecutive year, with 85 percent positive of U.S. leadership. These results are based on Gallup surveys in 132 countries and areas in 2015.
One Serb injured, one Albanian arrested in a Mitrovica brawl (Koha)
An unidentified Serb sustained injuries last night in a fight with an Albanian in the northern part of Mitrovica, Tanjug reported. The incident is reported to have happened at around 6 p.m. The motive is still unknown although the police said it was the Albanian man who instigated the fight.
