PDK’s resolution illegal, AAK’s resolution remains (dailies)

The two deputy leaders of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Shpend Ahmeti and Glauk Konjufca, claim that the PDK-sponsored resolution for normalizing relations with Serbia is illegal. According to Ahmeti and Konjufca, it conflicts with a previously adopted resolution by the Assembly that conditioned talks with Serbia with resolving the missing persons’ issue.

“PDK’s resolution is illegal because the AAK’s resolution, supported by all parliamentary groups, is in force,” said Konjufca. He added that the new PDK-AAK-supported resolution would betray the families of missing persons and citizens of Kosovo.

Ahmeti noted that nothing has changed in Serbia to allow for Kosovo to normalize relations with it. “The initiators of the resolution – PDK, AAK, and other satellites - admitted that Kosovo-Serbia relations are abnormal without mentioning why,” said Ahmeti.

The Vetëvendosje leaders also called on the opposition to unite against the current Government in the ‘motion for mistrust’ and overthrow it as soon as possible.

In principle, LDK is for resolution (Epoka e Re – front page)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is divided into two groups: the draft resolution of PDK and the normalization of the relations with Serbia. According to a member of LDK, the party might introduce a position, which will be made public on Thursday at the session when the draft resolution will be voted at the Kosovo Assembly. “We are in the process of internally debating the voting of the draft resolution,” said the LDK member, adding that the number of those against the resolution is bigger than of those that support it.

Epoka e Re also contacted the LDK deputy leader, Haki Rugova, who said that LDK will continue to play its constructive role at the Assembly. Another LDK senior official, Lutfi Haziri, said that LDK is for the resolution but the final decision will be known on Wednesday.

LB “conditions” Thaçi with platform for talks (dailies)

Koha Ditore reports that Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi is searching for supporters for the normalizing relations with Serbia resolution before the document is to be discussed in the Kosovo Assembly. Last Friday, Thaçi met with Avni Klinaku, leader of the Unification Movement (LB), to discuss the issue. “The meeting was official. We discussed possible talks and the issue of the resolution raised by the PDK,” LB leader Klinaku confirmed.

Klinaku said he reminded Thaçi about the four pillars that the LB views necessary for talks with Serbia. “The first two pillars of the LB platform determine political talks to be held between two states and for Kosovo’s independence to be non-negotiable. The third pillar foresees talks on unresolved issues between Kosovo andSerbiaand solutions on the basis of reciprocity, whereby rights benefited by the three northern Kosovo municipalities would also be enjoyed by three municipalities in eastern Kosovo – Presevo, Bujanoc and Medvedja. And the fourth pillar notes: ‘the northern part of Mitrovica and its surrounding villages cannot be a topic in the talks. Albanians experienced ethnic cleansing there and they need to return to their properties.’”

Zëri also notes on its front page that Thaçi is trying to win over the two LP representatives in the Kosovo Assembly.

First implement agreements, then dialogue (dailies)

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri criticized Serbia for not implementing agreements reached in Brussels while expressing outrage against the EU for not putting more pressure on Serbia to hold up its end of the deal. Tahiri, also the head of the delegation for technical talks with Serbia, said that there can be no new agreements between Pristina and Belgrade until past agreements are implemented.

“The return of civilian registers has not been implemented by even two percent. Cadastres have not even started. Serbia has avoided all agreements, stalled, and created misunderstandings,” said Tahiri in a conference organized by the Kosovo-based Institute for Democracy and Development.

Although Tahiri did not oppose the idea of undergoing political talks with Belgrade, she added that political parties in Kosovo should reach a consensus on the issue.

Grabovci: Limaj, Krasniqi violated party status (Express – front page)

An interview with Adem Grabovci, head of the PDK parliamentary group, featured his criticism against party colleagues Jakup Krasniqi and Fatmir Limaj, who “violated the party status by voting like the Vetëvendosje.”

Grabovci said there are no clashes within the PDK. “The PDK is a political party that unites people from all parts of the country and the diaspora … for the sole goal of developing the country. The pluralism of opinions is the foundation of liberal democracy. But it is no one’s interest to distance themselves with actions and votes from the party,” he added.

Grabovci also said the PDK will hold the party convention this year and that anyone with merit can run against Hashim Thaçi for the post of party leader.

Verheugen: Kosovo faced with double standards for visas (dailies)

Former European Union Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen said in an open discussion in Pristina that it is incomprehensible how Kosovo has not been able to benefit from the visa liberalization regime. “Double standards have been imposed and there is no way to explain why Kosovars are the only ones in the region that should still apply for visas,” he said, adding that this practice is completely against the values and commitments of the EU. “This situation is discriminating for Kosovo,” Verheugen stressed.

Thaçi’s advisor replaces Hamiti as UK ambassador (dailies)

Muhamet Hamiti resigned from his post as Kosovo’s ambassador to the UK. His decision was endorsed by both the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hamiti is expected to be replaced by Lirim Greiçevci, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi’s current political advisor.

Senior government officials told Koha Ditore that Greiçevci has already passed the appointment procedures and that the President is now expected to decree the appointment. “The Government decided three months ago to send Greiçevci to London,” the source said. Greiçevci was also part of the dialogue-with-Belgrade team for Kosovo chief negotiator Edita Tahiri.