U.S. Vice President Joe Biden to visit Kosovo on Tuesday (Koha)
The paper reports on its front page that U.S. Vice President, Joe Biden, will stay in Kosovo on Tuesday and Wednesday, in what Kosovo’s leaders have called a historical moment. Biden is scheduled to meet President Hashim Thaçi and Prime Minister Isa Mustafa. The paper further notes that Biden’s visit comes at a time of grave tensions between the government and the opposition over the border demarcation deal with Montenegro. Political analysts in Pristina expect that Biden’s key messages will be on regional security, the war on terror and the fight against corruption.
Vujanović: Montenegro expects Kosovo to ratify demarcation deal (dailies)
President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanović, told Montenegrin news portal Vijesti that the delayed ratification of the agreement on border-demarcation between Kosovo and Montenegro will not affect relations between Pristina and Podgorica. “When Kosovo will ratify the agreement, it is their internal matter. We will wait patiently for its ratification,” Vujanović was quoted as saying. Asked about the recent protests near the border with Montenegro, he said such acts do not impact relations between the two countries. “It is simply a mood, a statement by the citizens. I expect the Parliament of Kosovo to ensure the necessary majority to ratify the agreement,” he added.
Kosovo’s telephone prefix to be discussed today in Brussels (Epoka)
The Kosovo Government announced that it will undertake all steps today in Brussels in order to gain the telephone prefix for Kosovo. According to the government, there was progress on this direction during the last round of the discussions, which were held on 2 and 3 August. Kosovo’s Minister without portfolio, Edita Tahiri, said before heading to Brussels that she is optimistic that this meeting will result with agreement that would give Kosovo prefix 383 very soon.
Djurić: Discussions on Association to resume today in Brussels (Epoka)
Marko Djurić, Director of the Serbian Office for Kosovo, stated that discussions between Pristina and Belgrade on establishment of the Association for Serb-majority Municipalities as well as those on telecommunication, will resume today in Brussels. Speaking about the Mitrovica Bridge, Djurić said that the bridge is being opened due to the works that will commence there and that KFOR troops will be patrolling in Mitrovica North at all times. He stressed that Serbia will be implementing all the agreements reached in Brussels.
Revitalisation of Mitrovica Bridge concludes in January 2017 (Epoka)
Following a recent agreement between Minister for the Dialogue Edita Tahiri and Chief Negotiator Marko Đurić, the implementation of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue agreement on the Mitrovica Bridge commenced on Sunday, 14 August 2016. Revitalization of the bridge, an investment worth over 1.2 million euro and funded by the European Union, will greatly contribute to facilitating contacts between the people of Mitrovica North, Mitrovica South and beyond. With the start of implementation of this agreement, the Mitrovica Bridge will become a symbol of normalisation of relations between communities in Kosovo.
Veseli: Revitalisation of Mitrovica Bridge, delayed but positive process (Zëri)
Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli said on Sunday that the revitalisation of the Ibër/Ibar River Bridge was a delayed but positive step that will be completed with the full opening of the bridge. “The revitalisation of the bridge in Mitrovica, although delayed, is a positive step in view of the process, which should be completed with the full opening of the bridge. This bridge should serve the future, not the past,” Veseli said.
Gjilan mayor condemns attempted demolition of mosque minaret (media)
Lutfi Haziri, the mayor of Gjilan/Gnjilane municipality, condemned on Sunday an attempt by a Kosovo Serb to demolish the minaret of a mosque in the village of Velekincë, in Gjilan municipality. Haziri said that such incidents do not serve the climate of public safety in Gjilan.
