• Meeting of coalition leaders concludes (Epoka e Re)
• Kosovo citizens with different views on final agreement with Serbia (media)
• Thaci warns of destabilisation if there is no agreement this year (media)
• LDK seeks ‘political legitimacy’ for resolving problems with Serbia (media)
• LDK sets conditions to become part of eventual broad-based government (Koha)
• Kurti calls for document outlining Kosovo’s demands to Serbia (media)
• Limaj: Kosovo will never accept negotiations on its sovereignty (Indeksonline)
• EU denies secret talks (KTV)
• Veseli: Kosovo doesn’t yield to Serbia, but to the U.S.A (Bota Sot/KTV)
• Kurz requests from Trump more engagement on Kosovo (RTK)
• Pahor: Kosovo-Serbia agreement should not be based on ethnic principles (media)
• Russia’s stance against independence of Kosovo remains unchanged (Kosova Sot)
• NATO delegation visits Kosovo (Epoka e Re)
• Bahtiri to submit petition for unification of Mitrovica to Thaci (RTK)
• KP denies any standoff with Serbian side at northern border crossing (Klan)
• Specialist Prosecutor could file first indictments by June (Zeri)

Meeting of coalition leaders concludes (Epoka e Re)

Epoka e Re portal reported on Wednesday evening that the leaders of the governing coalition, Kadri Veseli, Ramush Haradinaj, Fatmir Limaj and Behgjet Pacolli held a meeting with the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci. The meeting took place at Behgjet Pacolli’s house. Sources of the portal told the paper that they discussed the recent developments in Kosovo, especially the imposed tax on Serbian products, however, there was no approximation of the positions when suspension of the tax is concerned.

Kosovo citizens with different views on final agreement with Serbia (media)

The papers report on a conference that took place in Pristina yesterday, orgnised by the Kosovo-based Research Institute of Development and European Affairs (RIDEA) titled “Vox Populi on the Grand Finale between Kosovo and Serbia”. According to Zeri, a study presented at the conference showed that Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs have different views when it comes to the Kosovo-Serbia agreement but they all agree that the dialogue needs to be unblocked. The study presented three possible scenarios with the least supported one being the continuation of the status quo in Kosovo. “By far the most supported scenario is that of mutual recognition. It was argued that Kosovo must insist on formal recognition for only in that way Kosovo could complete its statehood (including universal recognition and UN membership), normalize its relations with Serbia, integrate local Serbs in its institutions and work together towards EU and NATO membership. Mutual recognition would also provide for a wider societal dialogue and reconciliation, and also pave the way for solving other outstanding issues related to missing persons, formal apology, and property and so on,” the study says. In contrast, the third scenario, that of territorial exchange, is the most divisive. “Despite its potential for bringing about a long lasting peace and normalization, many warned of its even higher potential to destabilize the region, its negative economic implications (Gazivoda), or that it might lead to (rump) Kosovo’s loss of statehood (in case of unification with Albania),” the study reads. It adds however that interviewees emphasized that, provided that this scenario has wider international support and to a certain extent satisfies both parties, it could prove a feasible long term solution, if other options would prove not feasible. And, “it may happen only after the two countries would have recognized each other.”

See the study: https://bit.ly/2Ir7ons

Thaci warns of destabilisation if there is no agreement this year (media)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci said yesterday at the conference “Vox Populi on the Grand Finale between Kosovo and Serbia”, organized by Research Institute of Development and European Affairs (RIDEA) that the dialogue for final agreement with Serbia, is unavoidable. “We want to once and for all clarify our relationship with Serbia, which can only be reached through dialogue which has the support of the U.S. and the EU. The time has come to leave hostility behind. If the agreement is not reached this year, we will enter a dangerous zone that could destabilise the entire region,” Thaci said. “These days, through letters from Trump and Pompeo, we have received clear guarantees that agreement with Serbia means mutual recognition. We cannot have bigger guarantees than the words and pledge of the U.S. Administration on this,” he added. “Recognition of Kosovo from Serbia without any condition would have been the most rightful conclusion, but in politics, rightness seldom prevails. We do not expect easy discussions in Brussels,” Thaci said at the conference.

LDK seeks ‘political legitimacy’ for resolving problems with Serbia (media)

Deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lutfi Haziri said at the “Vox populi on the Grand Finale between Kosovo and Serbia” conference organised by the Research Institute for Development and European Affairs (RIDEA) that his party has requested political legitimacy and broad consensus on moving towards an agreement with Serbia.  “LDK as the largest opposition party views the dialogue as an option, tool to resolve problems but it needs to be built on the principle of political clarity,” Haziri said adding: “We cannot resolve problems with our century-old enemy without consensus.” He said LDK has offered ways to achieve legitimacy through a full review of the government and other institutions as well as of the dialogue structure. “This provides a way for legitimacy to be reached at the Assembly of Kosovo and use the will of the people as the basis for the platform for solving problems with Serbia. Dialogue has recently gone through a metamorphosis and alternative ways need to be sought out,” Haziri noted. He further called on all political parties to sit together and come up with a unified position and give a date when the process of dialogue is expected to end. Haziri also said that he personally favours the idea of Presevo Valley joining Kosovo but underlined that this should not result in Kosovo giving away its territory to Serbia in exchange.

LDK sets conditions to become part of eventual broad-based government (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) representatives said on Wednesday they have moved from their earlier position when they called for early general elections and legitimate institutions that would represent Kosovo in the finale of talks with Serbia. LDK forums are supporting the idea of this party joining an eventual broad-based government. LDK deputy leader, Agim Veliu, told the paper that his party has a set of conditions to become part of a new government. “We have discussed the possibility of a broad-based government. We have thought of all political parties being involved in this and to agree on topics that this eventual government would conclude, but also on the date of new elections. There are two-three capital issues which we should agree upon, such as talks with Serbia, election reforms and constitutional amendments for certain issues. There are several issues that require general consensus,” Veliu added.

Kurti calls for document outlining Kosovo’s demands to Serbia (media)

Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti said yesterday that Kosovo should prepare an official document outlining its demands towards Serbia which would include recognition, missing persons, reciprocity. “We need to be united around our goal for a sustainable agreement,” Kurti said today at a conference titled “Vox populi on the Grand Finale between Kosovo and Serbia” organised by the Research Institute for Development and European Affairs (RIDEA). “Let’s not pretend there is no agreement with Serbia, there are 33 signed in the course of six years of dialogue. Let’s come together and tackle these 33 agreements, what is the level of their implementation and the institutional influence. It is important for that report which is being kept sealed to be brought to the agenda,” Kurti said. He added that despite these 33 agreements, none of EU five member states changed its mind on Kosovo’s independence.  Speaking about the border correction idea, Kurti said no one has the right to give Kosovo’s land to Serbia. “Not even martyrs, were they to rise from their graves, have the right to give away Kosovo land let alone the living,” he is quoted.

Limaj: Kosovo will never accept negotiations on its sovereignty (Indeksonline)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and co-head of the state delegation for talks with Serbia, Fatmir Limaj, said yesterday that the Kosovo government is making serious efforts to unite political forces and to build broad-based consensus on dialogue with Belgrade. Limaj said Kosovo is not under the pressure of time but rather under the pressure of reaching a good agreement. “This agreement will ensure peace and security. Peace in the region is the responsibility of us all. From our political experience we know that every process of dialogue has a title. The Rambouillet Conference had a title. Brussels had the title ‘dialogue for normalization of relations’. The title now should be Kosovo’s recognition. Our objective is recognition, nothing else,” Limaj said during a conference in Pristina on ‘The Grand Finale’ between Kosovo and Serbia. He added that if Serbia is not ready to enter dialogue for recognition, Kosovo can wait, and that there cannot be normalization of relations without mutual recognition. “Political parties in Kosovo must set aside their party interests and join forces. The state delegation has drafted a document that has been supported by the heads of institutions. Now the matter is in the hands of the Assembly and they need to decide so that we can speak in unison. We are ready for dialogue. Kosovo can only lose by avoiding the table of talks … Kosovo will under no circumstance agree to negotiations on its sovereignty. Whoever expects this from us is badly mistaken,” Limaj added.

EU denies secret talks (KTV)

Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, told KTV that there are no secret talks between Kosovo and Serbia Presidents, Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vucic. She said that Kosovo’s government must rescind the import tariff on Serbia and Bosnian goods before dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade can resume. “I haven’t seen the Prime Minister’s statement, but every time there are meetings at the level of presidents, we announce this earlier. Our focus is to work on a legally binding agreement that would resolve open issues and that would be acceptable for both sides and in line with international law and accepted by the international community,” she said. Asked if there is a draft agreement between the two presidents, Kocijancic said “work is ongoing”. Kosovo’s Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj accused EU High Representative Mogherini on Tuesday of holding secret talks between Kosovo and Serbia.

Veseli: Kosovo doesn’t yield to Serbia, but to the U.S.A (Bota Sot/KTV)

Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli said in an interview to KTV on Wednesday that Kosovo may yield to the request of the United States of America to lift the 100-percent import tariff, but that it will never yield to Serbia. “The issue of the tax requires a solution that is good for Kosovo and its allies. If someone has a problem with the proposal to suspend the tax for 120 days, then there can be other proposals. The state of Kosovo is the most important. No government or assembly is more important than the fate of our country. You can ask Haradinaj the same question and he will give you the same answer,” Veseli said.

Kurz requests from Trump more engagement on Kosovo (RTK)

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz met on Wednesday in Washington with the U.S. President Donald Trump, where he requested from the latter to engage more on the solution of the problems between Kosovo and Serbia. After the meeting Kurz told the media that the U.S. have great impact on Kosovo which could be used in a positive manner. He said he sees the engagement of Presidents Vucic and Thaci for exchange of territories with positivity and supports it as a possible solution, although it is a very sensitive matter. “If both parties reach an agreement on an issue, Europeans should not become an obstacle, Americans neither,” Kurz told media in Washington.

Pahor: Kosovo-Serbia agreement should not be based on ethnic principles (media)

The President of Slovenia Borut Pahor, met on Wednesday with the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini. They discussed resumption of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and about the final agreement. Pahor told Mogherini that the solution should be original and it should not be based on ethnic principals. He said the entire process should be managed during the entire time with mutual respect and complete control by the international community. Pahor said the idea for border correction was seen with skepticism and raised suspicions in the West.

Russia’s stance against independence of Kosovo remains unchanged (Kosova Sot)

Spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zaharova, told Belgrade news agency Beta that Russia has not changed its position against independence of Kosovo when asked to comment on the statement of Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic about delimitation between Albanians and Serbs. The media recall that Putin had stated during a visit to Belgrade that Moscow supports an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia within the framework of the UN Security Council resolution 1244.

NATO delegation visits Kosovo (Epoka e Re)

The paper reports that a delegation from NATO headed by Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Jonathan Parish, and the head of Operations and Missions Section, Michel Soula, visited the Kosovo Security Force and met Defence Minister, Rrustem Berisha, and KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama. The meeting focused mainly on the security situation in Kosovo and NATO-Kosovo relations following the decision to transform the Kosovo Security Force into an army.

Bahtiri to submit petition for unification of Mitrovica to Thaci (RTK)

Agim Bahtiri, mayor of Mitrovica South, will submit today the petition for unification of Mitrovica municipalities to the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci. The petition is signed by 16,594 citizens. “We will request from the President his support on endorsement of this initiative undertaken by Mitrovica citizens,” a press release issued by Mitrovica municipality states.

KP denies any standoff with Serbian side at northern border crossing (Klan)

Kosovo Police spokesperson Baki Kelani has denied Serbian media reports that the Kosovo border police had a standoff with the Serbian police at the border crossing in the north of Kosovo. Kelani said Kosovo Police carried out its duties within the territory of Kosovo and not as reported by Serbian media that it illegally entered the territory of Serbia and confiscated a truckload of goods.

Specialist Prosecutor could file first indictments by June (Zeri)

Legal experts consider that as the work of the Specialist Chambers has intensified in recent period, the first indictments could be expected by June. Experts further said that Kosovo leaders, mentioned in the Council of Europe report authored by Swiss senator Dick Marty, could also be summoned by the Specialist Prosecutor.