Headlines - 10.11.2018

• Kocijancic: Thaci and Vucic agreed to continue talks (Zeri)
• Haradinaj requests extraordinary session of Assembly (KP/Koha)
• Thaci: Tax on Serbia and Bosnia, not right move (Indeksonline/Klan)
• Serbian List to protest if import tax not repealed (Zeri)
• Haradinaj meets Cuoci: Cooperation with KFOR, excellent (media)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Kocijancic: Thaci and Vucic agreed to continue talks (Zeri)

Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, was quoted by the Tirana-based abcnews channel that presidents of Kosovo and Serbia agreed to continue the dialogue for normalisation of relations. Kocijancic said Serbia and Kosovo need to show restraint and not take actions that would be in conflict to the normalisation of relations and create a favourable climate for dialogue. “As you have probably seen, the two presidents agreed to remain in constant contact,” Kocijancic added.

Haradinaj requests extraordinary session of Assembly (KP/Koha)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, has requested an extraordinary session of the Assembly in an effort to adopt draft laws relating to the European Reform Agenda (ERA). Haradinaj told Kosovapress that he hoped the priorities listed under ERA1 will be concluded by the end of the week and before the visit of the European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn to Kosovo. Haradinaj said that if the laws successfully pass the Assembly he would be able to send a report to EU countries showcasing Kosovo’s progress towards European integration and visa liberalisation. This, Haradinaj hopes, will provide sufficient arguments for the visa liberalisation issue to be included in the meeting of the European Union Council of Ministers.

Thaci: Tax on Serbia and Bosnia, not right move (Indeksonline/Klan)

In Paris on invitation from French President Emanuel Macron, President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci was asked by Indeksonline to comment on the recent trade measure the government of Kosovo has imposed on products from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and was quoted as saying it was not a right move. Thaci reportedly said that Kosovo needs to act responsibly and not take actions that would complicate the international support for Kosovo. Klan Kosova meanwhile reports that Thaci said that during his stay in Paris, he is not scheduled to have any bilateral meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic who will also take part in activities organized to mark the end of World War I.

Serbian List to protest if import tax not repealed (Zeri)

Serbian List has warned it would stage protests if the government of Kosovo does not lift the import tax on products from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In a statement to the media, the Serbian List said it would from now on assume the role of the opposition in the government of Kosovo and would support any motion of no-confidence. The Serbian List added that if the government in Pristina does not repeal the tax and implement the agreement on Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities they would call for peaceful protests.

Haradinaj meets Cuoci: Cooperation with KFOR, excellent (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj met yesterday KFOR Commander, Major General Salvatore Cuoci and the two agreed that the security situation in Kosovo is good and that cooperation between KFOR and Kosovo security institutions is excellent. In a Facebook post following the meeting, Haradinaj said KFOR has continuously contributed to a safe and peaceful Kosovo and its presence will always be welcomed.