UNMIK Headlines 22 October
Thaci aims to become President of Kosovo (Tribuna)
Sources inside the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) said that their leader, Hashim Thaci, is ready to make compromises with the post-election bloc, under the condition that he gets the post of President of Kosovo. PDK has expressed readiness to give up the post of Assembly Speaker if the bloc votes in favour of Thaci’s presidential candidacy in 2016, when Atifete Jahjaga’s mandate ends.
Jahjaga turns down minority community MPs’ request (dailies)
Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga has turned down a request from 17 minority community MPs for her to ask the Constitutional Court to clarify item 127 of its ruling on the election of the Assembly Speaker. Jahjaga said she has taken note of the request but added that the solution to the political deadlock needs to be found within the constitutional framework.
Thaci confirms meeting with Ashton in Brussels (Lajm)
Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci announced on Facebook that he will travel to Brussels for a meeting with the outgoing EU High Representative for Security and Foreign Policy, Catherine Ashton. Thaci said that, apart from discussing the latest political developments, he will also thank Baroness Ashton for her role in achieving the landmark Brussels agreement.
Jahjaga and Mustafa hold unannounced meeting (Tribuna)
Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga had a meeting yesterday with the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Isa Mustafa. Politiko.net reported that the meeting, held behind closed doors, focused on the current political situation. Jahjaga’s spokesperson, Arber Vllahiu, confirmed the meeting, saying it had no political agenda.
Kusari: If I were offered the PM post, I would leave Gjakova (Gazeta Blic)
In an interview for the Tirana-based Top Channel on Tuesday, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, the Mayor of the Gjakova/Djakovica municipality, said that, if she were offered the post of Prime Minister, she would leave her current position. But she added that she hoped this would not happen because that would stop development in the municipality. “Kosovo is paying a costly price for the political deadlock and not only in terms of the economy. Let us also not forget about international cooperation,” Kusari-Lila said.
Chief imam visits Decani Monastery (Koha)
Sabri Bajgora, chief imam of the Islamic Community of Kosovo (BIK), visited on Tuesday the Decani Monastery where he was received by Abbot Sava Janjic. BIK issued a press release after the visit saying that Bajgora expressed regret over the provocative graffiti sprayed on the walls of the monastery. “This is an unacceptable act and we condemn it. Attacks against religious and cultural sites are carried out by people who are against the prosperity of the people of Kosovo. Such acts are against the efforts of religious communities to foster inter-religious and inter-ethnic tolerance. The Islamic Community of Kosovo remains committed to fostering tolerance and harmony in our country,” Bajgora said.