Headlines - 31.08.2016

• Veseli: Kosovo Assembly will vote on demarcation on 1 September (media)
• PDK calls for unification of political spectrum on national causes (Epoka)
• Leader’s meeting on demarcation expected to fail (Zëri)
• PDK offered four proposals on demarcation to President Thaci (Koha)
• Government calls on citizens to renounce violence (dailies)
• Thaci: Attack on Kosovo Assembly building, a terrorist act (dailies)
• LDK calls on Vetëvendosje to renounce violence (dailies)
• AAK: Situation at Montenegro border, unacceptable (Lajmi)
• Zenun Pajaziti to replace Grabovci as PDK caucus chief (Kosovapress)

Veseli: Kosovo Assembly will vote on demarcation on 1 September (media)

Several media quote Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader and Kosovo Assembly President, Kadri Veseli, as saying that the Assembly will vote on the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro on September 1. After the meeting of the PDK General Council on Tuesday, Veseli told reporters that everyone needs to be calm and think about the future and that Kosovo should not jeopardise its relations with the U.S. and European countries. He also said that MPs should think whether they want to move toward European integration or if they prefer a setback.

PDK calls for unification of political spectrum on national causes (Epoka)

The leadership of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) met on Tuesday to discuss the current political situation in Kosovo. They assessed that the entire political spectrum should unify on matters of national interest, such as the border demarcation with Montenegro and other matters that strengthen Kosovo’s statehood. “PDK considers that partnership with the international community is vital for strengthening our country, as well as for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Republic of Kosovo,” a press release noted. It further said that Kosovo’s democracy should be based on respect of the law and order. The PDK also said it has followed the arrests of the Vetëvendosje activists and called on law enforcement authorities to undertake all the legal measures against all those use paramilitary methods and actions to threaten the security and freedom of every citizen of Kosovo.

Leader’s meeting on demarcation expected to fail (Zëri)

The paper reports in a front-page story that the meeting of political parties’ leaders, organized by MP Ramiz Kelmendi, is not expected to end with any agreements between the opposition and the ruling coalition parties. Although the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, and leader of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), Fatmir Limaj, accepted the invitation for a meeting with leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Kadri Veseli, and leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Isa Mustafa, the leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, Visar Ymeri, did not accept the invitation. However, Haradinaj and Limaj stated that if Kosovo President Hashim Thaci attends the meeting, they will reject the invitation.

PDK offered four proposals on demarcation to President Thaci (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that legal experts of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) offered President Hashim Thaci four proposals for resolving the border demarcation issue with Montenegro. According to the paper, all four proposals, which were submitted to Thaci on June 30, foresee the renegotiation of the border agreement. The first proposal foresees “a statement of agreement” between the two countries, the second foresees an annex to the August 2015 agreement, and the third proposal suggests a joint statement by the parliaments of both countries. If Podgorica would not endorse any of the first three proposals, the fourth proposal suggests a unilateral solution – a decision promulgated by the Kosovo Assembly that the issue should be sent to international arbitrage. The paper notes that President Thaci has ignored all four proposals.

Government calls on citizens to renounce violence (dailies)

The Government of Kosovo through a press statement sent on Tuesday called on citizens and political parties to renounce violence and undemocratic methods and to contribute to the advancement of state-building processes. “Kosovo government expresses support for the law and orders authorities to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities, with the aim of providing security and creating a peaceful environment for citizens. The Republic of Kosovo is facing important processes, which will have a direct impact on improving the lives of citizens, freedom of movement, strengthening of the strategic partnership with the US, transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces into Armed Forces and other integration process,” notes the statement.

Thaci: Attack on Kosovo Assembly building, a terrorist act (dailies)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci through a press statement on Tuesday said that the attack against the Kosovo Assembly was a terrorist attack and that “this form of political action is unacceptable and intolerable.” “Political violence will have no place in our society and our new Kosovo, which we have built with much sacrifice. I support the law enforcement authorities to be uncompromising in the pursuit of all those who in any way violate the state of Kosovo. The citizens of Kosovo deserve high appreciation for the maturity shown, because they have consistently opposed violence as a form of political action. Also, I invite all the political parties not to become part of the rhetoric of violence and to leave narrow political interests, and to unite for the general benefit of the Republic of Kosovo,” reads the statement.

LDK calls on Vetëvendosje to renounce violence (dailies)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has urged the Vetëvendosje Movement to renounce violence and “anarchic actions aimed at sending the country to a cycle of violence with unpredictable consequences.” The LDK through a press release said that it expresses concern regarding the recent developments, and at the same time expressed support for the competent state authorities to take all measures to ensure a safe environment for citizens and to bring the perpetrators of criminal acts to justice.

AAK: Situation at Montenegro border, unacceptable (Lajmi)

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has reacted to reports that Montenegro has deployed counterterrorism units in the border area, saying that such a thing is “totally unnecessary and unacceptable”. “Our Department of Defense Policy and Security considers that the situation created along the border with Montenegro, where reportedly Montenegro’s counterterrorism units were deployed, is completely unnecessary and unacceptable. In this regard, the statements of the President of Montenegro are not in line with developments on the ground.  “The overall security situation remains very fragile in that area and the waves of attacks against state buildings and private properties constitute very bad news for public safety in Kosovo,” notes the statement.

Zenun Pajaziti to replace Grabovci as PDK caucus chief (Kosovapress)

The Presidency of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), during its regular meeting on Tuesday appointed Zenun Pajaziti as the new head of the PDK parliamentary group. Basri Musmurati, PDK secretary, told Kosovapress that the decision to vote the demarcation deal was taken earlier, while Tuesday’s meeting was focused on electing the new head of the PDK parliamentary group. “The decision to support the demarcation deal was taken earlier. Today we decided on the new head of the parliamentary group. It was decided that Zenun Pajaziti will replace Adem Grabovci in this post,” Musmurati said.