Headlines - 27.01.2016

Mustafa: I’m going to Brussels, the Association will be formed (Koha)

Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, confirmed on Tuesday that he will attend the EU-brokered meeting on Wednesday with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. In an interview for the Radio Television of Vojvodina, Mustafa said that his going to Brussels does not imply he has given up on the demand for visa liberalization for Kosovo. “I said I feel bad when I go to Brussels to take part in dialogue while my people are denied freedom of movement. We will make all possible efforts and I hope the European Union will positively assess the fulfilment of criteria and set a date for visa liberalization,” he said. Mustafa also said the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities will be established and that in return Serbia will have to dissolve its parallel structures operating in Kosovo.

EU: Visas and dialogue are two separate issues (Koha)

The paper reports on the front page that Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa will attend today’s meeting in Brussels with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic, despite initial statements that he would boycott the meeting in solidarity with the people of Kosovo who still cannot travel without visas in the Schengen zone. Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for the EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, told reporters on Tuesday that the two leaders will discuss the implementation of agreements reached so far. Kocijancic also said that dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and visa liberalization for Kosovo are two separate issues.

Konjufca: Mustafa broke his promise of not attending dialogue (Koha)

The Vetevendosje Movement has criticized the decision of Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa to travel to Brussels for a meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic as part of the EU-facilitated dialogue. Vetevendosje’s Glauk Konjufca said in a press conference on Tuesday that Mustafa and Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci have taken decisions that “seriously undermine the state of Kosovo”. Konjufca said Mustafa’s decision to go to Brussels despite originally saying he would not is a sign that he is not a serious leader and that he has deceived the people of Kosovo.

Viets: Elections not a solution to the crisis (Kosova Sot)

The German Ambassador to Kosovo Angelika Viets is opposed to the prospect of early elections in Kosovo. She argued that even if elections were to take place, the composition of the new Assembly would look almost the same as the current one. “Another round of elections would mean that Kosovo again loses precious time in its effort to improve the living conditions of its citizens,” Viets wrote on her Facebook account. She added that she believed the issues that the opposition has raised could be resolved through political and democratic dialogue within the institutions.

Grabovci: Too early to speak of elections (Epoka e Re)

Head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group Adem Grabovci said in an interview with the paper that it is at present too early to speak of elections in Kosovo. “In the summer of 2017 we can sit down and discuss local elections and in spring of 2018 we will be ready to address parliamentary elections,” said Grabovci dismissing claims that the current meetings the party leadership is having with its support base are related to the possibility of heading towards fresh elections. Grabovci said the meetings are part of the regular communication with party electorate. He added that the coalition with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is stable and that Hashim Thaci will be soon elected president of Kosovo. “I am confident that the citizens of Kosovo are looking forward to Hashim Thaci’s election,” he noted.

Thaci aims at presidency before 17 February (Zeri)

The leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Hashim Thaci, is aiming at becoming the President of Kosovo before the eighth anniversary of Kosovo’s independence, on 17 February. The paper reports that the Assembly session where MPs will vote for the President of Kosovo is expected to be held within two weeks. Citing unidentified sources, media reported that during a meeting yesterday, the PDK parliamentary group decided that MP Rafet Rama will be Thaci’s counter-candidate for president.

Opposition’s action today: Honk against the government (RTK)

Today, opposition parties and citizens will organize a symbolic protest of honking against the government. “There are plenty of vehicles in the streets filled with plenty of unsatisfied citizens. Everyone should express their disappointment with the government by honking their horns. This activity will start today at 14:00 and will continue until 17 February on the day of nationwide protest,” reads a statement issued by the Vetevendosje Movement.

Serbia imposes 4 amendments on Kosovo in Council of Europe report (Koha)

In a front-page story, the paper reports that on Thursday the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will discuss and vote on the draft resolution titled “The situation in Kosovo and the role of the Council of Europe”. The draft resolution, prepared by Agustin Conde, has already been adopted by the parliamentary committee on political affairs and democracy. The paper further notes that Serbia continues to play an important role in the drafting of reports that Kosovo is later obliged to implement. Following a proposal by the Serbian delegation, four amendments have been added to the draft resolution. Point 7.4 of the resolution, as proposed by Serbia, calls on Kosovo to implement all agreements deriving from the Brussels dialogue, especially the agreement on the formation of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. Another amendment calls for greater engagement in protecting cultural heritage, with special emphasis on the cultural heritage of non-majority communities. “The Assembly encourages the United Nations Mission in Kosovo to strengthen cooperation with INTERPOL and EUROPOL and encourages the authorities in Pristina to use all available mechanisms,” reads another amendment. The final amendment calls for “increased cooperation aimed at breaking up transnational criminal networks operating in the region; greater progress in resolving the fate of missing persons, and for Kosovo authorities to facilitate war crimes investigations and prosecution”.

KLA veterans threaten to protest over pensions (Bota Sot)

The Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) war veterans’ associations threatened to protest against the decision of the Kosovo Government to cut the budget allocated for their pensions. They alleged that €18 million out of the total of 24 million set aside for veterans in the previous year has not been accounted for and, according to them, has been misused.

Ferguson: Kosovo has succeeded in improving security (dailies)

The Commander of the Joint Force Command in Naples, US Navy Admiral Mark Ferguson, visited KFOR, Kosovo Security Force and senior officials in Kosovo yesterday. The main purpose of Ferguson’s visit was to discuss security and stabilization efforts in Kosovo with the leaders. He said he expects to continue working with partners to maintain a peaceful and secure environment for all communities in Kosovo. “Kosovo has succeeded in improving the security in Kosovo due to many of its dedicated and loyal inhabitants,” Ferguson said. He also met with the Bishop of Raska, Prizren, Teodosije Sibalic.