In the UN, over dialogue (Tribuna/Lajm)

The United Nations Security Council on Monday will discuss Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s latest report on Kosovo. Kosovo and Serbia prime ministers, Hashim Thaçi and Ivica Dacic, respectively, will attend the session.

In his report, Ban recommends that the international community continue encouraging and actively supporting the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. The UN chief also highlights the substantial progress made in the transition of police structures in northern Kosovo that should be tied in with progress in the field of judiciary and other rule of law areas.

Lajm highlights a part of Ban’s report in which he notes that “given the historical importance of EU-brokered agreements between Pristina and Belgrade, 2013 was a year of meaningful changes and substantial political progress in Kosovo.”

Kosovo Prime Minister Thaçi revealed the key points of his presentation at the Security Council meeting. “I will present the latest achievements in our country: the peaceful and democratic organisation of local elections throughout the territory of the republic; the strengthening of Kosovo’s international position, we are now recognised by 105 world countries; the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia continues in Brussels and it is becoming a model for other countries; the implementation of the agreement has entered a dynamic phase for the people of Kosovo; democratic reforms are continuing in politics, economy and legislation,” Thaçi wrote on his Facebook profile.

LDK to decide to overthrow the Government (Bota Sot, Epoka e Re)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is to hold a meeting of the general council today in an effort to mobilise the membership in overthrowing the PDK-led Government in March. Ahead of the meeting, LDK leader Isa Mustafa told the party leadership that he will not accept a proposal for extending the mandate of reserved seats for communities and that LDK will agree to go to parliamentary elections, even if there is no election reform by then.

Sources close to the party told Bota Sot that discussions are underway with main opposition parties to coordinate how to dismiss the Government. LDK currently has 29 MPs and, except for Vetevendosje, a possible motion of mistrust would be supported by Fatmir Limaj and his followers, while AAK contribution is not ruled out either.

Isufi: We are not ready to bring the Government down (Epoka e Re)

AAK deputy leader Ahmet Isufi, in an interview for the paper, said his party is not ready to overthrow the Government as Kosovo cannot head to early elections without concluding reform of the election code. “It is well-known what attempts to hold extraordinary elections without election reform produce: disputed elections,” he said.

“We are not ready, not before the election reform, consensus and positive process for general elections […] The position of the AAK is to hold elections in September and that holding elections without the reform would harm the image of Kosovo,” Isufi added.

Undeclared autonomy of the north (Zeri)

When dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia took place, Serbs in the north managed to create a type of a special autonomy which begins with the association of Serb municipalities and stretches to special courts, say analysts in Kosovo and opposition representatives.

Deputy leader of the largest opposition party LDK, Teuta Sahatqija, mentioned the energy system which reportedly enables the north to have a special distribution and also negotiate energy import and export. “We are talking about an entirely parallel system of energy, like that of telecommunication where the north is allowed to have a mobile operator that acts only for Serbs,” she said.

However, Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo and chief negotiator, Edita Tahiri, rejects claims that agreements with Serbia are damaging to Kosovo, but admits that there are obstacles from Belgrade in finalising them.

OSCE to organise Serbian elections in northern Kosovo (Koha)

Kosovo Government officials said on Sunday that they would not allow voting centers to open for Serbs in Kosovo, as was done in 2012, except for “collection centers and transport from Serbia”. The OSCE mission will organise Serbian elections in northern Kosovo, which is expected to be determined in an agreement with Kosovo authorities. Experts, meanwhile, argue that the OSCE’s involvement as a facilitator in the process is both illegal and unconstitutional.

Pacolli: Gashi should not remain scapegoat of scandals in UP (Tribuna)

Behxhet Pacolli, leader of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), wrote on his Facebook profile that former University of Pristina (UP) rector Ibrahim Gashi’s resignation should serve as an starting point for speedy investigations of all professors in the university. “Gashi should not remain a scapegoat of illegal affairs in this important institution. Mr. Gashi’s resignation came as a result of dramatic developments at UP. Manipulating students should be condemned,” Pacolli added.

Deda: I was faced with a typical political process (dailies)

The Basic Court in Pristina on Sunday turned down the prosecution’s request for detention and house arrest measures for Ilir Deda, Yll Hoxha and 25 students who were arrested during Friday’s protest at Pristina University. The court ruled that the defendants will have to appear twice a week at the police station. The defense attorneys said they would complain against what they called an “unjust decision”.

Deda, director of Pristina-based KIPRED research institute, told reporters, “They can send me to prison not once, but a hundred times; this will not stop me in my path. I can see that the abducting mentality of the current government is nearing its downfall. Elections are closer and once they are over we will never mention [the government] again.”

Who killed Senaviçius? (Tribuna)

The EULEX mission has arrested any suspects for the murder of Customs member Andrius Senvaviçius. Investigations into the murder of the EULEX member in the north of Kosovo delivered detailed results on the manner in which the murder was committed, the weapon used and possible suspects. During his speech at the UN Security Council today, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi will request that Serbia  seize those who killed him.

Serbs announce blockade of Rashka – Mitrovica regional road (Koha)

Citing a report by Radio KIM, the paper notes that Serb factory workers in Leshak are expected to block the Rashka – Mitrovica regional road on Monday and Tuesday. Workers are protesting that they have not received their salaries for several months now. The road will be blocked from 12:00 – 14:00 hours. Union representatives said if problems persist, protesters would block the road for 24 hours.

Branimir Stojanovic’s conflict (Tribuna)

Gracanica mayor Branimir Stojanovic, in his online curriculum vitae, refers to Kosovo as “Kosovo and Metohija”. In reference to the war in Kosovo, Stojanovic calls it “a conflict in the Serbian southern province”. The paper notes that all these remarks are included in the official Gracanica municipality webpage .

Petrisch: Albanians from Presevo Valley should participate in elections (Epoka)

Renowned Austrian diplomat and former EU mediator for Kosovo at the Rambouillet Conference, Wolfgang Petrisch, said Albanians in Presevo Valley should take part in Serbian elections.

In an interview for Preseva e Jone, Petrisch said Belgrade should be careful not to manipulate Kosovo Serbs during these elections. “Albanians should by all means participate in Serbia’s elections, not only because they carry Serbian passports, but also because it is in their interest,” he added.

Petrisch also said that Serb minorities in Kosovo are Kosovo citisens looking to integrate into civilian and institutional life.