Headlines - 27.11.2017

• Vetevendosje’s victory in Pristina and Prizren confirmed (dailies)
• LDK demands vote recount in Pristina (media)
• Kosovo-Serbia dialogue in its final phase (RTK)
• Kosovo leaders condemn attack on two KSF Serb members (dailies)
• Haradinaj: KSF to be transformed into a Kosovo army (Zeri)
• Kosovo recognised by Madagascar (Kosova Sot)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Vetevendosje’s victory in Pristina and Prizren confirmed (dailies)

Counting of conditional votes, those sent by mail and the votes of the individuals with disabilities has not changed the preliminary results in Pristina, Prizren, Dragash/Dragas and Rahovec/Orahovac. This process confirmed victories of Vetevendosje candidates Shpend Ahmeti in Pristina and Mytaher Haskuka in Prizren as well as candidate of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Shaban Shabani in Dragash/Dragas and candidate of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Smajl Latifi in Rahovec/Orahovac.

LDK demands vote recount in Pristina (media)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has called for complete vote recount in Pristina following the counting of conditional and mailed ballots showing Vetevendosje’s Shpend Ahmeti victory. In a statement carried by RTK, LDK said the decision of the Supreme Court not to allow the recount is ungrounded and that the recount of ballots is the only able mechanism to correct mistakes identified by LDK commissioners during the election process.  Meanwhile, LDK deputy leader, Lutfi Haziri, said there can be no runoff election result in Pristina and Dragash/Dragas without a complete recount of votes. “We will seek legal ways to argue for recount in Pristina,” Haziri told Gazeta Blic.

Kosovo-Serbia dialogue in its final phase (RTK)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, said recognition by Madagascar is yet another indicator that Kosovo is entering a period of final response with regards to the process of the dialogue with Serbia. He said that he has informed Brussels officials about the position of Kosovo on the dialogue and also requested from them response for the stagnations of Kosovo’s integration process. “The process of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is reaching the final phase,” PM Haradinaj said. He added that Serbia will not be the only one to benefit from this process. Haradinaj said that he has made Kosovo’s position clear to the EU officials. He did not want to comment on the question if his reaction towards Brussels and unchanged position on demarcation has aggravated his relations with President Hashim Thaci, as reported in the media. 

Kosovo leaders condemn attack on two KSF Serb members (dailies)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, has condemned the explosive device attack on the houses of two Serb members of the Kosovo Security Force, in Zubin Potok. He said that the attack is an unacceptable act that endangers lives of people and aims to impede efforts for a democratic and inclusive society of the people of Kosovo. Haradinaj requested from the responsible bodies to catch the perpetrators and bring them in front of justice as soon as possible. He also appealed to people to help shed light on this criminal act.  At the same time, President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, also condemned the attack in Zubin Potok calling it unacceptable. “We are committed towards the full integration of the Serb community and other minorities into Kosovo institutions,” Thaci wrote in a Facebook post.

Haradinaj: KSF to be transformed into a Kosovo army (Zeri)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, said transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an army would guarantee security for the people of Kosovo and contribute to regional stability. In a Facebook post, Haradinaj said the transformation process will be successful and involve all communities. “In the coming period we will intensify inclusive efforts to achieve transformation into Armed Forces,” Haradinaj announced.

Kosovo recognised by Madagascar (Kosova Sot)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, announced that Kosovo has secured a new recognition, from Madagascar. Pacolli said he officially received the note verbale after meeting Madagascar Foreign Minister, Rabary Njaka, at the sidelines of the meeting of Francophone countries in Paris.