Thaçi expresses appreciation to OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media
(Kallxo.com, Telegrafi)
President of the Republic of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, received today the OSCE representative on the Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu.
President Thaçi thanked the OSCE representatives on their investment during the last two decades in promotion of freedom of expression and development of media in Kosovo.
“OSCE has invested in many programs related to the development of democracy in Kosovo, through trainings of journalist and promotion of the freedom of expression,” said President Thaçi.
OSCE representative on the freedom of media, Harlem Désir, stated that this organisation will continue to support Kosovo in promotion of freedom of expression.
President Thaçi also added that OSCE has supported Kosovo on all relevant fields and that the state institutions are immensely grateful.
Haradinaj gives no indication to step back from tariff
(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The meeting of Kosovo state leaders with two high officials of the President Donald Trump Administration, John Erath and Brad Berkley, lasted almost two hours.
The meeting was hosted by President Hashim Thaçi, but it was also attended by Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj.
The Prime Minister was the first one to leave the meeting, at about 17:30hrs, but he was reluctant to speak to journalists.
“We will talk tomorrow,” he said from a distance.
Haradinaj chose to write about this meeting on Facebook.
He had told them that Kosovo was irreversibly committed to strengthening democracy and its institutions, and that the agreement should recognise the existing borders of 17th February.
“Kosovo is willing for a legally binding agreement that results with mutual recognition with the existing borders and with Kosovo of 17th February 2008. It is also willing to take rights and obligations for membership in NATO, United Nations, EU, and other international organisations, and for good neighbourly relations,” Haradinaj wrote.
Haradinaj did not indicate that he would step back from the tariff against Serbia, whilst he wrote that Kosovo is determined for free trade in the Western Balkans region, and that the legally binding agreement would also include regulating the free trade chapter between Kosovo and Serbia.
Finally, Prime Minister Haradinaj wrote that they remain faithful to the eternal friendship and to coordinating policies with the United States of America.
However, after the Prime Minister left, the meeting at the President’s Office continued almost for another 30 minutes between the President and his two US guests, who were accompanied by the Ambassador Philip Kosnett.
At about 18:00hrs, the US delegation left the President’s Office, but they did not give any statement to the media.
Besides discussions on the tariff, presence of this delegation to Kosovo is also about a final agreement with Serbia.
KTV learned that they will not leave Kosovo, as they will be having meetings on Thursday, as well.
They will have a meeting with LDK as a party in opposition, but not also with Vetëvendosje.
Thaçi: We will preserve relations with US by all means
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
The Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi, along with the Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, on Wednesday had a meeting with Principal Director for European Affairs at the US National Security Council John Erath, and with the US National Security Council’s Director for the Balkans Brad Berkley.
President Thaçi and Prime Minister Haradinaj with the White House high officials discussed bilateral relations between Kosovo and the US, political situation in Kosovo and in the region, and the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.
High officials of the US National Security Council reiterated the clear position of the US Administration that the tariff needs to be suspended, in order for the dialogue to continue, as well as the efforts for reaching a comprehensive agreement between Kosovo and Serbia.
President Thaçi assured the US high officials that the Republic of Kosovo would not by any means jeopardise bilateral relations and friendship with the US.
“The state institutions should as soon as possible take concrete actions in line with the friendly advice of the US. The actions should be in the function of preserving and strengthening strategic cooperation with the US, and our state commitment for dialogue and a peaceful agreement,” President Thaçi said.
Arifi: Tariff against Serbia not connected to Kosovo’s relations with US
(Klan Kosova)
Avni Arifi, Chief of Cabinet of Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, said that the people of Kosovo would always be aligned along the free people, led by the US.
“This alignment never was and never will be for the sake of any local leader, nor will it be subject to friendship definition by local leaders,” Arifi wrote on Facebook.
“The trust of the people of Kosovo derives from the trust in democracy and freedom of the US, and the values that this country stands for and has struggled for centuries. The tariff against the Serbian state has no connection whatsoever with our relation to the US,” Arifi concluded.
Kosovo President visits opposition leader amidst debate on suspension of tax
(GazetaExpress)
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has visited on Wednesday the head of Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Isa Mustafa.
Thaci was seen entering Mustafa’s house late on Wednesday, Gazeta Express has learned. Thaci’s visit came after a meeting he and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj had with the US Principal Director for European Affairs at the National Security Council John Erath and Director for European Affairs at National Security Council William Berkley, when it was discussed on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and suspension of 100 percent tax on Serbian and Bosnia-Herzegovina goods imposed by Haradinaj’s Government in November last year. Thaci in a press release after the meeting confirmed the US officials asked suspension of tax and urged the Government to listen the US advice. But Prime Minister in a Facebook post after the meeting hinted the tax will not be suspended despite US officials advice.
It remains unknown what Thaci and Mustafa have discussed, but Gazeta Express has learned that the head of opposition party of LDK will meet on Thursday the US officials.
Belgrade attacks Kosovo Serb Minister for working against Serbia’s interests
(GazetaExpress)
Director of Serbia’s Government Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric, said after meeting Kosovo Serb political representatives that they don’t see a solution between Pristina and Belgrade is near.
In a press conference after the meeting, Djuric said that there cannot be talks on final solution, adding that a solution is very far. He also criticized Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj who as he said, closed doors of institutions to Kosovo Serbs, after appointing a Kosovo Serb woman Dijana Zivic as new minister of Agriculture, replacing Nenad Rikalo who was member of Srpska List, a political entity representing Serbs in Kosovo institutions which is under control of Belgrade. Djuric said that Haraidnaj’s action is unacceptable. “It is unacceptable that a Serb to work against interests of its nation and cooperate with Kosovo institutions,” Djuric stated.
Ahmeti: EU shouldn’t keep silent about Serbia’s behaviour to Kosovo Serbs
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK)
Co-chairman of the Kosovo Negotiation Team Shpend Ahmeti opposed statements of the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for Serbs to leave the Kosovo army.
On a Facebook post, Ahmeti called on the EU to stop keeping silent to Serbia’s policies against Serbs in Kosovo.
He said that the EU did not react even to Djuric’s accusations against the new Minister of Agriculture.
“Political violence of Serbian authorities against integration of Kosovo Serbs becomes more direct, when Marko Djuric today (Wednesday) exercises direct state pressure on the new Kosovo Minister of Agriculture, Dijana Zivic, with the same language as Milosevic, saying that cooperation of Serbs with the Kosovo institutions is an action against interests of the Serb nation. Again, no reaction from Brussels,” Shpend Ahmeti wrote.
Pacolli wishes Vucic to become first Serbian President to recognise Kosovo
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The Kosovo Minister of Foreign Affairs Behgjet Pacolli has sent a public letter to the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, asking him for Serbia to recognise Kosovo as a state.
Pacolli wrote that he could not understand the logic of Chinese walls between the two countries.
Pacolli sent the letter to Vucic, after Vucic’s meeting with representatives of Srpska Lista.
“This is the time for Serbia to let Serbs lead their lives free from Serbia’s interference,” Pacolli wrote.
Pacolli concluded his letter by writing that he wishes Vucic to become the first Serbian President who takes the courage to face the truth, recognition of Kosovo.
