Headlines - 27.05.2013 Kosovo determined to implement the agreement (dailies) Koha Ditore reports that Kosovo Prime Minister, Hashim Thaçi, sees the implementation of the agreement with Serbia within the framework of European perspective of Kosovo and Serbia. This was stated by Thaçi in a meeting with a group of US congressmen on Sunday. In two separate meetings which were closed to the media, Thaçi met the US congressmen, Robert Aderholt, Bob McEwen and Trent Walters and another group led by Joe Wilson. According to the press release issued by the Kosovo Government, Thaçi emphasized that the agreement is historic and was reached after almost a hundred years of continuous conflict. “The implementation of the agreement is in the interest of European perspective of both countries and the region, of regional cooperation, and in this direction the Kosovo Government and all of its institutions are committed for the full implementation of the agreement,” Thaçi is quoted to have said in a meeting with the congressmen. Serbian Government approves implementation plan (dailies) The Government of Serbia in its meeting last night approved implementation plan of agreement reached with Kosovo in Brussels. Prime Minister Ivica Dacic is further reported to have notified EU High Representative Catherine Ashton of the decision. In the notification, Dacic stressed that the Serbian Government considers the approval of the implementation plan will pave way for political content to give results that will benefit the interests and expectations of citizens of all sides involved in the process. No invitation for Jahjaga to Ohrid summit (dailies) Presidency of Macedonia has announced that Kosovo will not take part in the regional cooperation summit set to take place in Ohrid on 1 June. The statement issued by the office of Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov said the summit for regional cooperation in South-East Europe has already the confirmed structure of participants. “The invitation has not been sent for President of Kosovo as not only one state objected to this”, reads the statement adding that invitation to Kosovo would mean several members of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) would refuse participation. Cliff: The north did not become “Republika Srpska” (Zëri) British Ambassador to Kosovo Ian Cliff said in an interview for the paper that in the process of dialogue with Serbia, Kosovo has achieved the thing it mostly needs, namely extending sovereignty and territorial integrity throughout its territory. “I think we are moving in a very clear political space. This is a very good outcome for Kosovo therefore the change of one or two laws to this end is not a high price to be paid”, said Cliff. He also rejected claims that the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia creates a type of Republika Srpska in the north and that what has been agreed is more or less what the Ahtisaari Plan stipulates. “A very reasonable compromise has been reached in Kosovo”, he stressed. Hague: Implement the agreement! (Kosova Sot) Kosova Sot reports that British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, ahead of his visit to Belgrade hailed the progress in normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo while he called for an effective implementation of the Brussels agreement. “I urge both sides to now move swiftly to actual implementation. Only real improvements on the ground will guarantee continued progress towards future European Union membership, and security and stability for the people of both Serbia and Kosovo,” said Hague. Implication of OSCE in local elections violates constitution and laws (Koha Ditore) Involvement of OSCE in holding local elections in the north of Kosovo would be in conflict to the Kosovo Constitution and its legislation, said legal experts. The Law on elections does not foresee any form of intervention in the process except for international monitoring. Professor Riza Smaka, expert of constitutional law, told Radio Free Europe that implication of OSCE should not be in the role of facilitator of the elections while, professor and former head of Central Elections Commission, Mazllum Baraliu, says that the law on elections and Kosovo Constitution clearly specify that the competencies for organizing elections rest with local institutions, and above all, the Central Elections Commission. Therefore, he argues, any intervention from outside can be considered as being illegal. Romania in favor of SAA for Kosovo (dailies) Romanian Foreign Minister, Titus Corlacean, said his country supports EU’s start of negotiations for Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo and the start the talks for membership of Serbia. “The agreement between Kosovo and Serbia demonstrates an extraordinary political courage. This agreement enables normalization of relations in the entire region and presents a historic step which will lead the entire Balkans towards European integration,” said Corlacean.