US calls for immediate tariff suspension
(KTV)
The United States has called on the Kosovo Government to suspend, not to revoke the tariff.
In an exclusive interview with KTV’s Interactive show, the US Ambassador Philip Kosnett said that if this does not happen, interests of Kosovo and of the US will be harmed.
He excluded the possibility of any economic sanction on Kosovo, saying that it is up to the Kosovo leadership to consider if they want to maintain friendship with the US.
“We have resisted giving some sort of deadline. We are not trying to dictate work of the Kosovo Government. We strongly believe that provisional suspension of the tariff as soon as possible will help in moving the process forward. If it does not happen, there is the risk of completely losing the momentum, which will be very harmful for the people of Kosovo and of Serbia, and it will also be harmful for the US and the EU. The issue is not whether or not Kosovo has the right to impose the tariff, but the question is whether it is a good decision for Kosovo as well as for the US.
Just before I came here today, I read reports saying that the USA will impose economic sanctions on Kosovo. I want to assure citizens of Kosovo that it is not true. That is not the way how we act with a friendly country like Kosovo. What we are looking for from Kosovo is to have courageous leadership to make decisions.
If Kosovo maintains a policy that makes it difficult or impossible to move forward in building peace, prosperity, and justice in the Balkans, the US will be deeply concerned and disappointed. I spoke earlier about the close cooperation between the US and Kosovo, about economic development, about security. It is inevitable that Kosovo and the US should work together to maintain this relationship. It is like a marriage, when you should respect needs and perspectives of each other. I have heard some Kosovo officials saying that Kosovo does not need the US any more. Well, I do not think that this is what citizens of Kosovo think. I think that the people of Kosovo do not agree with this. People of Kosovo want to keep close relationships with the US. If Kosovo decides that it is not important, we will see what happens in the future,” Ambassador Kossnet stated.
Thaçi meets Kosovo leaders and Ambassador Kosnett
(Klan Kosova)
Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi presented details about the meetings he had on Thursday with the Government coalition leaders, as well as with the US Ambassador Philip Kosnett.
In a public statement, Thaçi said that the key topic of his meeting with Kosnett and with the coalition leaders was responsible partnership with the US.
”Today, at presence of the US Ambassador to Kosovo Philip S. Kosnett, I had joint meetings with institutional leaders – Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, and Deputy Prime Ministers Fatmir Limaj and Behgjet Pacolli. At those meetings, we discussed important national issues, preserving eternal partnership with the USA, and the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process. National interest should bring together the entire political spectrum, in making important decisions for perspective of citizens and four our Euro-Atlantic future, in line with interests of the US and strategic partners of Kosovo. Therefore, in the coming days I expect responsible decision-making in full compliance with national interests. We have no time to waste,” Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi stated.
Kosovo will speak with a unified voice, Thaçi assures Bolton
(Klan Kosova)
President Hashim Thaçi said that on Thursday afternoon he had a telephone conversation with the National Security Advisor at the White House, John Bolton.
“We talked about the Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, as well as about the permanent partnership between Kosovo and the United States. I assured Ambassador Bolton that the Republic of Kosovo remains accountable for continuing the Dialogue and will speak with a unified voice, as President Trump requested,” Thaçi wrote on Facebook.
“We are convinced that Dialogue will commence soon, and will end with a comprehensive agreement which ensures mutual recognition and membership in NATO, the EU and the UN. Kosovo has always walked alongside the United States and the friendship will be permanent,” he added.
On Thursday, President Thaçi also talked with US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Wess Mitchell, with whom he agreed to continue the commitment to the final phase of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.
Thaçi: Kosovo eternally grateful to KFOR and NATO
(RTK1)
Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi received on Thursday the US Navy Admiral, James Gordon Foggo III, who serves as Commander of the US Naval Forces for Europe.
President told the American Admiral that Kosovo is committed to sustainable peace and stability
“We are working to create the conditions to continue the dialogue as the only way to sustainable peace and stability. We are grateful for your commitment to maintaining peace in Kosovo and the region”, stated President Thaçi.
President Thaçi and Admiral James Foggo also spoke about transition of the Kosovo Security Force, which is a coordinated process with KFOR and NATO.
On the other hand, US Navy Admiral James Gordon Foggo III stressed that dialogue is the only way forward.
“KFOR will continue to provide peace and security”, he said.
Admiral Foggo also met with Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and Dalibor Jevtic on Thursday. Press release regarding these meetings, as issued, can be read at: https://jfcnaples.nato.int/kfor/media-center/archive/news/2019/foggo-meets-with-thaci–haradinaj-and-jevtic
Hahn believes in resumption of Kosovo and Serbia dialogue
(KTV)
The EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said on Thursday in Bucharest that he believes in resumption of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.
“I hope some people will start realising what the point is,” B92 quoted him as saying.
“We are happy about what we have achieved with North Macedonia, which will foster resumption of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia,” Hahn stated.
He expressed his hope that Kosovo will lift the 100 percent tariff on Serbian goods.
Limaj: Nothing special happened at our meetings
(RTK1)
Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj had a meeting at the Government premises with deputy Prime Ministers Fatmir Limaj and Behgjet Pacolli.
After their meeting at the President’s Office, at the Government premises they were also accompanied by co-chairman of negotiations Shpend Ahmeti.
Fatmir Limaj was the only one to briefly comment on all those developments.
He said that the meetings of leaders at the President’s Office and at the Government premises did not result with anything specific.
”There is nothing special. Nothing has happened,” Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Limaj responded to journalists.
Srpska Lista calls protest in front of EU and EULEX premises
(Klan Kosova)
Srpska Lista deputy chairman Igor Simic invited all citizens to become part of a protest in front of the European Union and EULEX premises on Friday.
With this protest they will oppose the “Annexation of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north,” Klan Kosova reported.
Simic said Prishtinë/Pristina has announced annexation of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë north and the entire northern part.
He said that Srpska Lista will support all protests and have called on citizens to be peaceful at 12:00hrs, as he said, to oppose the plans of Albanian political representatives.
Haradinaj discusses situation in Kosovo with a high OSCE delegation
(KTV)
The Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj received on Thursday the OSCE high delegation headed by the Special Envoy for Southeast Europe and MP in the House of Representatives in Great Britain, Mark Pichard, and the Deputy Head of the OSCE in Vienna, Mark Carillet.
As the press release issued by the Prime Ministry notes, Prime Minister Haradinaj thanked the persons present for the continued support that the OSCE has given to the Kosovo institutions, and said that the cooperation between the Kosovo Government and the OSCE in Kosovo is in the interest of strengthening the country’s democratic institutions and good governance.
At the same time, Haradinaj, together with the OSCE high delegation, discussed the general political situation in Kosovo and deepening of this cooperation in the future.
At this meeting, the parties agreed to strengthen the mutual partnership.
From their side, representatives of this delegation assured that they will continue cooperation with the Government of Kosovo.
Calmness restored in Prishtinë/Pristina Centre neighbourhood
(RTK1)
Thanks to the cooperation of representatives of the Local Public Safety Committee in Centre neighbourhood in Prishtinë/Pristina with Kosovo Police and Municipality, many issues that the local residents were facing have been resolved.
Violeta Hasani, Chairperson of the Local Public Safety Committee told KosovaPress that the key issue that the neighbourhood residents were facing was noise coming from three coffee- bars that are known to the Police and the Municipality. But she pointed out that following the interest by responsible authorities, for three days the noise from the coffee-bars has been slightly reduced.
According to her, Municipality of Prishtinë/Pristina has pledged to do its best to stop noise of coffee-bars in the neighbourhood, and they have warned businesses that noise will no longer be tolerated; otherwise, they will be compelled to close down their businesses.
Violeta explains that after installation of security cameras in the neighbourhood by the Committee in cooperation with the Police, a lot of harmful actions have been prevented.
She says that the Police have put their rooms at the Committee’s disposal, so that they can meet and run their activities.
She added that as a result of those meetings and activities in the neighbourhood, they have implemented two projects for the Centre Community, funded by the Norwegian Embassy and implemented through the OSCE.
