Headlines - 02.06.2017

• Braathu: If you don’t need OSCE, “arrivederci” (Koha Ditore)
• Apostolova: Hold democratic elections, avoid denigrating speech (Zëri)
• Political parties sign election’s code of conduct (dailies)
• Kosovo Serbs allowed to vote with Serbian documents (Zëri)
• Thaci: Vucic’s statement on Kosovo for internal consumption (RTK)
• Thaci meets Croatian President (Epoka e Re)
• Haradinaj awarded prize by “fraudulent” institution (Koha Ditore)
• “Jahjaga will not travel to Belgrade for security concerns” (Klan Kosova) 

Kosovo Media Highlights

 Braathu: If you don’t need OSCE, “arrivederci” (Koha Ditore)

Head of the OSCE mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, said in a meeting with the head of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Valdete Daka, that it would be a good sign if Kosovo institutions no longer required OSCE assistance in which case he would bid them “arrivederci”. “The Organisation asks you if you need help, how to help you, and if you say you do not need any help, I would be happy and this would be very good”, Braathu said. He noted that the OSCE facilitated election process in four northern municipalities in 2013 which were also the first Kosovo general elections to take place in the north. This year, the OSCE’s support would be lesser, said Braathu. Daka on her part said she was happy the OSCE would have a “limited” role in the election process by providing technical advice and support.

Apostolova: Hold democratic elections, avoid denigrating speech (Zëri)

Head of the EU Office in Kosovo and EU Special Representative to Kosovo, Nataliya Apostolova, appealed to all the candidates and future leaders of political parties to refrain from denigrating speech and to refuse all kinds of pressures that can undermine the integrity of election process. Apostolova said that during her meetings with different groups, they all expressed readiness for calm and transparent elections on 11 June. She considers that free elections are an essential pre-condition for Kosovo to move forward in its democratic development. 

Political parties sign election’s code of conduct (dailies)

Representatives of political parties in Kosovo signed yesterday the code of conduct for upcoming elections which confirms their commitment to ensure free and fair process. The statement, sponsored by the Group for Balkans think-tank and the Swiss and Norwegian governments, also calls on all members of the parties and candidates to adhere to the principles of democratic election process.

Kosovo Serbs allowed to vote with Serbian documents (Zëri)

Due to the lack of security in north, the Central Election Commission (CEC) has authorized the OSCE mission in Kosovo to organize, manage and observe 11 June elections in the four northern municipalities of Kosovo. OSCE Spokesperson, Senad Sabovic, said that this mission would not assist in the municipalities south of River Iber. “When identification of the voters is concerned, I can say that all documents can be used, as was the practice in the past. All those who were registered by UNMIK from 1999 and onwards, respectively by Kosovo’s Center for Civilian Registration, or those who at some point were equipped with UNMIK or Kosovo ID, are automatically registered in voters’ lists. This means that Serbian IDs can be used on the day of elections, but the ID does not give the right to vote, it only serves for identification purposes,” Sabovic said. 

Thaci: Vucic’s statement on Kosovo for internal consumption (RTK)

President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, said that the statement by President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia,” is intended for internal consumption as Vucic is well aware that Kosovo is an independent country recognised as such by 114 countries.” “This is not a new thing we hear from Belgrade but Kosovo is Kosovo and Serbia is Serbia. We are two independent and sovereign countries,” Thaci said.

Thaci meets Croatian President (Epoka e Re)

The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, met on Thursday in Zagreb with the President of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic. After the meeting Thaci told the media that the two governments are close to finalizing the agreement for strategic partnership between Kosovo and Croatia. He explained that this agreement would open way not only to closer cooperation but to coordination of actions on regional and international developments. Zeri reports that the Croatian President gave Thaci support for creation of the army of Kosovo. 

Haradinaj awarded prize by “fraudulent” institution (Koha Ditore)

The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj was awarded two prizes yesterday by an organization which according to a research of an Italian TV is “fraudulent” and actually sells awards. The Italian TV linked an Albanian, Shefki Hysa, being the organisation’s founder which also claims to be associated with the UN. Haradinaj received yesterday two titles by the organization: “Missionary of Peace” and “Golden Ambassador Richard Holbrooke” but AAK officials did not comment on how Haradinaj received the awards.

 “Jahjaga will not travel to Belgrade for security concerns” (Klan Kosova)

Former Kosovo president, Atifete Jahjaga, has refused to travel to Belgrade to take part in the annual “Miredita, Dobar Dan”, festival which aims to encourage cultural exchange between Serbia and Kosovo, after Serbian authorities failed to provide security escort for her, Belgrade-based Beta news agency reported quoting diplomatic sources. However, festival organisers said they were still working to enable Jahjaga’s visit and that they were hopeful she would attend the event. Jahjaga was scheduled to take part in the event and speak about victims of sexual violence in Kosovo.