Headlines - 11.01.2014

Meeting between Kosovo and Albania governments begins in Prizren (Tribuna)
The joint meeting of the governments of Kosovo and Albania has started in Prizren. Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci opened the meeting by saying that it marks the start of work for a joint future. "I believe our experts will work together in drafting our agreements and furthering our cooperation. The goal of the meeting is to implement earlier agreements and to strengthen our relations. Our two countries need to have strong trade relations. There is political readiness both in Pristina and Tirana for our relations to serve as a model for the whole region," Thaci was quoted as saying.

Demaci: This is national unification (Epoka e Re)
Adem Demaci, long-time activist for the Albanian national cause, said Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama deserves the credit for the joint meeting of the governments of Kosovo and Albania in Prizren today. In an interview for Epoka e Re, Demaci said the meeting will strengthen the two states and Albanians in general.

"The meeting of the two governments is an excellent step. Kosovo and Albania should have made this step earlier, but better late than never. This is some sort of national unification, considering the time and area that we live in and the international trends we are experiencing. It would be good to have cooperation between all institutions. There should be contacts and cooperation on everything that is good for the nation," Demaci said.

Demaci said he was pleased upon hearing that the two governments will establish a fund for Presevo Valley. "We need to tell Serbia that we will never forget our brothers and sisters in Presevo Valley and we need to do everything in our power to help them," he added.

U.S. wants constitution of municipalities in the north according to Kosovo laws (Koha)
In an interview for Voice of America, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hoyt Yee said the establishment of municipalities in the northern part of Kosovo needs to be done in accordance with Kosovo laws and in the spirit of the Brussels Agreement.

"After local elections in Kosovo, it is very important to establish municipal assemblies in accordance with Kosovo laws," Yee said.

Yee also said that progress was achieved in normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo, most notably with the April Agreement. "We welcome the efforts of Pristina and Belgrade to implement the agreement," he added.

Schultz: I will not lead Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Koha)
Martin Schultz, chairman of the European Parliament, said he is not a candidate for the post of European Union High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security. Several media recently reported that Schultz could replace Catherine Ashton in the post. "To be honest, I will be the candidate of the European Socialist Party for chairman of the European Commission. We expect a lot of work in this respect," Schultz said in an interview for Novosti newspaper.

Asked about the results of dialogue, how long it can last and if Serbia can advance quickly toward EU membership, Schultz said dialogue is very important and that it depends on progress achieved by both parties. "What is happening in relations between Serbia and Kosovo has historic importance," he added.

Neutral swearing in (Tribuna)
Pristina and Belgrade delegations agreed on Friday in Brussels that elected representatives in the four northern municipalities will swear in on Saturday without symbols of any state. International sources told the newspaper that parties have accepted the solution put forward by the EU. According to this version, after swearing in, the mayors on Monday will sign a decision beginning their four-year mandate, and the letter will contain a logo and make reference to the Republic of Kosovo.

"The agreement is for the swearing in to be done without symbols, but all mayors on Monday will sign a decision that contains the logo of Kosovo and which notes that elections were held in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. This needs to happen for them to be legitimized and this condition of the Kosovar side has been accepted," the source said.