Headlines - 21.03.2016

PDK offer for opposition will not rule out new elections (Koha Ditore)

President of the Kosovo Assembly Kadri Veseli is laying the groundwork for dialogue with the three opposition parties in an effort to overcome the current political crisis, reports the paper on the front page. To this effect, Veseli announced that a serious offer will be presented to the opposition but the sources say the offer will be made only after Hashim Thaci is sworn in as President of Kosovo and Veseli is elected leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). Nevertheless, sources added that the PDK offer to the opposition does not rule out talks on new elections. “Things will run their course when Veseli becomes PDK leader and no option is ruled out, including elections as a last resort,” the source stressed.

Grabovci: We will offer the opposition dialogue not elections (Zeri)

Head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group Adem Grabovci addressed reports that his party will present a “serious offer” to the opposition saying what they will offer is a chance for dialogue but not early elections. Grabovci said it is clear elections cannot be called whenever someone wishes but have to be in line with constitutional and legal timeframes. “Nevertheless, they can be held if considered they are in the interest of the citizens and processes,” he added.

Opposition: We will only accept offer for new elections (Kosova Sot)

Opposition parties have responded to the news that the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) will present them with an offer to resolve the current political crisis. Vetevendosje’s Arber Zaimi said they appreciate the fact that the government has finally realized that police violence cannot be used to oppress the opposition but that calls for dialogue are too late. “Dialogue should have taken place before the damaging actions were taken,” said Zaimi. Meanwhile, Bilall Sherifi from Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) said no one has actually seen what this purported offer includes but the opposition will not consider any offer that does not foresee fresh elections.

Reporter claims Prime Minister Mustafa threatened him (media)

Most media report that Vehbi Kajtazi, a reporter from Pristina, claims to have received a threatening call from Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, after reporting that Mustafa’s brother sought asylum in Germany and France. According to Kajtazi, Mustafa threatened and insulted him over the phone. “I received one of the most unpleasant calls today. Prime Minister Isa Mustafa called me on the phone and threatened that I would pay a high price for reporting about his brother. I will report the threat to the police and all mechanisms that work on the protection of reporters. I find this the most serious call so far because it came from the Prime Minister,” Kajtazi wrote on his Facebook account. The chairman of the Kosovo Association of Journalists, Zekirja Shabani, issued a reaction saying that Mustafa’s call is unacceptable and that it constitutes a serious threat to the freedom of speech and democracy in the country. Ricardo Gutierrez, secretary of the European Federation of Journalists, said the EJF is ready to report the case to the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Protection of Journalists.

PM Mustafa: My brother applied for asylum for medical reasons (RTK)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa confirmed the reports published by the news website Insajderi that his brother applied for asylum in the EU countries during the Kosovo’s migrant exodus but stressed he did so to seek treatment for an underlying medical condition. Mustafa said he had nieces and nephews who also fled Kosovo in 2015 but who have in the meantime returned. Mustafa said his family shares the fate of other Kosovo citizens and this is why he is committed to ensure economic development and improvement of the healthcare sector in Kosovo.

Molotov attack on the Basic Court in Lipjan (Zeri)

Unidentified persons are reported to have thrown Molotov cocktail inside the building of the Basic Court in Lipjan on Saturday evening causing material damage. Kosovo Police confirmed the incident while a judge working for the Lipjan court said he believed the attack is related to previous similar incidents targeting Kosovo institutions.

Reformatting of the government, this week (Epoka e Re)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, in coordination with the coalition partner, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), is expected to make a few changes in his cabinet this week. The changes are required after Hashim Thaci’s election as president. The paper reports based on well informed sources that by the end of this week, several PDK officials are expected to be nominated to ministerial positions. It is expected that Enver Hoxhaj will replace Thaci as Minister for External Affairs, while Hajredin Kuci is expected to leave the Ministry of Justice and replace Thaci in the position of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Prince Charles: Build bridges of cooperation and reconciliation (Epoka)

The Prince of Wales, Charles and his spouse, Duchess Camilla, met during the two day visit in Kosovo with the most senior state and religious representatives, bringing strong messages for the political leaders and Kosovo population. Prince Charles said that the youngest country in Europe has a good chance to build bridges of cooperation and reconciliation. According to him, no one should allow himself to become a slave of history. The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, honored Prince Charles with the Order for Peace, Democracy and Humanism, “Dr. Ibrahim Rugova.” The British Embassy in Kosovo expressed appreciation to Kosovo’s institutions and population for the warm welcoming of Prince Charles.

Dilemma regarding the “ad-hoc” committee (Epoka e Re)

Former member of the state commission for the demarcation of the border with Montenegro, Ali Lajci, expressed his skepticism with regards to the work of the “ad-hoc” Commission of international experts, which will assess the process of the demarcation of the border between Kosovo and Montenegro. He told the paper that “if we see during the discussions that this is only a game or bluff, then a new commission will be established, and the report with precise arguments has to be sent to the Assembly. According to Lajci, if the agreement on demarcation is not reconsidered, there will be conflict in Kosovo.

Djuric: Serbian elections will be held in Kosovo (Gazeta Blic)

Marko Djuric, Director of the Office for Kosovo at the Government of Serbia, told Top Channel that Serbia expects the organizing of its elections also in Kosovo. The organizational model of the OSCE will be implemented on 24 April. “Parliamentary elections will be held in Kosovo based on the same principals as in 2014,” Djuric said. “The polling stations will be open and all the citizens that have the right to vote and appear in the lists, will be able to use their right,” Djuric said.