Headlines - 19.09.2018

• Kosovo leaders with contradictory views on dialogue outcome (Koha)
• Thaci: Agreement with Serbia only through compromise (media)
• Haradinaj: Border correction could spell tragedy (Zeri/Epoka)
• Limaj wants unity on the dialogue with Serbia (RTK)
• Kosovo and Serbia move diplomatic battle to New York (RFE)
• Vetevendosje calls anti-government protests (dailies)
• PSD: We have not received invitation for protest from Vetevendosje (RTK)
• Opposition requests extraordinary session of Assembly (RTK)
• Hahn: We should allow the parties to talk (Zeri)
• Picula: Kosovo to be kept high on EU agenda (Koha Ditore)
• Izetbegovic: Vucic speaking of peace while getting armament (Koha)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Kosovo leaders with contradictory views on dialogue outcome (Koha)

The paper reports on the front page that Kosovo leaders, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and President Hashim Thaci, are expressing contradictory views with regards to the outcome of the dialogue with Serbia for while Haradinaj is reemphasising that a possible border change would have tragic consequences, Thaci continues to insist that this would be the only way for Serbia to recognise Kosovo as an independent country. “Wars were also mentioned about demarcation with Montenegro but this was then followed by an enthusiastic and emotional vote from its opponents,” Thaci said referring the Haradinaj’s opposition of the demarcation agreement before joining the government.

Thaci: Agreement with Serbia only through compromise (media)

In his latest press conference, President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci said agreement with Serbia cannot be achieved without compromise and this can only be done through border correction. “Agreement will be reached if parties make compromise. There are those who say Serbia should recognise Kosovo and I agree with this but I have to be direct in the most honest way possible and state Serbia is doing no such thing presently,” Thaci said adding: “Some might say Russia will revoke right to veto on Kosovo at the Security Council. This is also not happening despite outmost efforts of all our partners. I see no hope this happening without an agreement and this is why I have proposed border correction. I have argued that agreement would result in recognition from Serbia and unification of Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac with Kosovo.” He said the progress Kosovo has made so far has been achieved with the help of its partners but said this was not enough. “We are all aware that Kosovo’s full and long-term stability is unavoidably linked to Kosovo’s membership as a country in the UN, NATO, and EU. Kosovo will be a sustainable country only by being member state in UN, NATO, and EU,” he added. Thaci further called on all political parties to join dialogue with Serbia. “I am here to once again call on all political spectrum, the civil society, media, to work together to close the process of talks within a short period of time by creating conditions for signing agreement that would enable full normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia and open European perspective for Kosovo and Serbia,” he underlined.

Haradinaj: Border correction could spell tragedy (Zeri/Epoka)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, said that a possible border change between Kosovo and Serbia could spell tragedy for both sides. He said the best way to move forward is through a peace and understanding agreement. “I believe and am deeply convinced that agreement with Serbia through border changes is a setback and leads to destabilisation and possibly tragedy,” Haradinaj said yesterday after the meeting of the government.

Limaj wants unity on the dialogue with Serbia (RTK)

Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Fatmir Limaj has requested unity with regards to the dialogue with Serbia. He told RTK on Tuesday that current situation in Kosovo suits only to Belgrade.  “It is important to sit, unify, to have an address…We should not remain observers of the developments of the country…What is currently happening is a chaos, and it only serves to Serbia. We have a cacophony of positions which harm the process,” Limaj said. “We are interested to close the issue with Serbia, but not to receive a bad agreement.”

Kosovo and Serbia move diplomatic battle to New York (RFE)

Radio Free Europe reports that the UN General Assembly session which gets underway on 18 September will be a good opportunity for Kosovo’s diplomacy to lobby for issues of interest and that a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already in New York for the purpose. Jetlir Zyberaj, advisor to Kosovo’s foreign minister, said FM Behgjet Pacolli arrived in New York yesterday and is expected to meet representatives from all over the world during a ten-day period.  He said President Hashim Thaci and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj are also expected to travel to the US in the coming days.

Vetevendosje calls anti-government protests (dailies)

Vetevendosje Movement has announced an anti-government protest in Pristina main square on 29 September. According to Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, political situation in Kosovo has worsened, especially after President Hashim Thaci decided to make “painful compromises” to Serbia during the dialogue. “This personal undertaking of the President of Kosovo needs to be stopped. He now enjoys the lowest popular support in his political career. This president has no legitimacy, competency or credibility,” Kurti said.

PSD: We have not received invitation for protest from Vetevendosje (RTK)

The Social-Democratic Party has issued a press release to inform that they have not received an invitation to organize or participate at any protest by any political party. “The dialogue issue deserves a serious treatment by the opposition,” is stressed in the press release. “Except for the position on certain matters, especially about the dialogue, we should also agree on methods of objecting them. It is not right and it is even counterproductive to put political parties in front of a done deal. This denies their subjectivity,” is written in the press release. This political party further informs that there is no way forward without being initially informed about the intention of organizing. “Hashim Thaci’s adventures can be stop only together, with a unified opposition, and in coordination with wide social structures and citizens. The pposite, only suits his project,” the press release states.

Opposition requests extraordinary session of Assembly (RTK)

The opposition political parties have requested an extraordinary Assembly session for the 20 September. “Having into consideration the lack of normal functioning of the Assembly of Kosovo, parliamentary groups of LDK, Vetevendosje, PSD and independent MPs Mimoza Kusari Lila and Ilir Deda, who have always intended the wellbeing of the citizens of the country who would benefit from ratification of international agreements between Kosovo and the EU, have submitted today the request seeking an extraordinary session where they could ratify these international agreements.” “Also being aware that EU assistances in the process of EU integration of the Republic of Kosovo, especially assistances on fulfilment of obligation deriving from SSA, such as assistances deriving from IPA Agreement, which brings 48 million Euros for Kosovo, “Europe and citizens” program which allows Kosovo access to almost 17 EU programs, as well as assistances of support on IT platforms and support on reform of education and youth policies platform foreseen by ‘Erasmus +’, the signed MPs assess that their ratification should happen as soon as possible,” a joint communique reads.

Hahn: We should allow the parties to talk (Zeri)

European Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, was asked during an interview with Deutsche Welle whether he supports exchange of territories between Kosovo and Serbia as part of a final agreement to which he replied that parties need to be allowed time to talk. “As I’ve said in recent weeks, it is too early to say something on this issue. My request was and is – let them talk,” Hahn said adding that leaders on both sides are aware of what an idea like that entails and that they also know that any solution needs to contribute to stability in the region.

Picula: Kosovo to be kept high on EU agenda (Koha Ditore)

Tonino Picula, head of the European Parliament’s delegation that attended the EU-Kosovo Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee in Pristina, said at the end of the visit that the meetings were successful. “We can prove today once again that despite all differences we are able to recognise what is important and that is that Kosovo should be in the EU,” Picula said adding that efforts should be made to keep Kosovo as high as possible on the EU agenda.

Izetbegovic: Vucic speaking of peace while getting armament (Koha)

Member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina tripartite presidency, Bakir Izetbegovic, accused the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic of speaking about peace while at the same time getting armament. In an interview for a Sarajevo-based media outlet, Izetbegovic said Vucic is using ‘big words’ in an effort to appease a part of the Serb radical opinion before undertaking steps towards Kosovo. “It is clear that time has come for a final decision to untie the Kosovo knot,” Izetbegovic said. Commenting on the possible exchange of territories between Kosovo and Serbia, Izetbegovic said he feared such a move would increase appetites in the Republika Srpska for independence.