UNMIK Headlines 19 December
Haziri: ‘Coalition of elephants’ will function without a problem (Epoka)
Lutfi Haziri, a member of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) presidency, told the paper on Thursday that the ruling coalition between the LDK and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) marks a new beginning for Kosovo. He said that the new government would do good things for Kosovo and its people. “The coalition of elephants will function without a problem. We will have to wait for the first 100 days and afterwards the government will publish the first assessment of its programme,” Haziri said.
Jablanovic: Association to be established in a few months (Zeri)
In a front-page story, the paper reports that Aleksandar Jablanovic, leader of the Serbian List, said that, the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities will be established in a few months and that it will have executive powers. According to Jablanovic, the establishment of this body would benefit all sides. “The establishment of the Association is a request coming from the international community and it derives from the Brussels Agreement which was signed by Kosovo Albanian politicians,” Jablanovic told the paper.
Tahiri: Dialogue on judiciary, parallel structures and Association (Express)
The Kosovo Government Minister for Dialogue with Belgrade, Edita Tahiri, told Koha Ditore on Thursday that, Kosovo and Serbian Prime Ministers, Mustafa and Vucic, would address three open issues during their meeting scheduled for early next year. “The implementation of the agreement on the judiciary, establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities and the dissolution of parallel structures in the north, are topics that will be addressed at the meeting in January,” Tahiri said.
Germany to Serbia: First, chapter on Kosovo (Epoka)
Heinz Georg Wilhelm, the German Ambassador to Belgrade, stated on Thursday that Serbia will open chapter 35 of the negotiations for European Union membership, which concerns Kosovo. “Negotiations with the EU will continue and I am certain that this chapter will be opened in 2015, as soon as possible,” said Wilhelm. He added that Germany was often accused of blocking the opening of other chapters but added that Germany was adamant on opening chapter 35. Wilhelm also said that Serbia will be presiding over the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe next year, and that it will have many responsibilities regarding the Ukraine crisis.