• Constitutional Court declares negotiating team “unconstitutional” (media)
• President Thaci calls for political unity (media)
• Hoxhaj: We will respect the decision of the Constitutional Court (RTK)
• Sejdiu: LDK and Vetevendosje returned dialogue in Thaci’s hands (RTK)
• Deda: Hashim Thaci’s role in the dialogue concluded today (RTK)
• Krasniqi: PDK will not help bring down Haradinaj government (Zeri)
• Ahmeti: We want to bring down government, I will call Mustafa and Kurti (media)
• Pacolli: Kosovo ready to become a member of the United Nations (Zeri)
• Veseli: Fight against corruption is without compromise (Epoka)

Constitutional Court declares negotiating team “unconstitutional” (media)

All media report that the Constitutional Court of Kosovo ruled on Thursday that the mandate and the competencies of the negotiating team with Serbia are unconstitutional. According to the court, the mandate and competencies overlap with the competencies of existing institutions and five articles that regulate the team’s mandate are in violation with the constitution. Media recall that a group of 32 MPs from opposition parties had sent the case to court claiming that the negotiating team does not represent the interests of Kosovo’s people. The court also noted in its ruling that “representation of foreign policy is the responsibility of constitutional institutions of the Republic of Kosovo”, and that powers to reach an international agreement cannot be transferred from constitutional institutions to what it called “special mechanisms”. Koha Ditore reports on its front page that the court has also relativized the role of President Hashim Thaci in the process. The paper quotes the court’s ruling as saying that the government has the competencies to represent Kosovo in dialogue and that the President can have an advisory role. Following the court’s ruling, opposition parties have called for the resignation of the government and “the relegitimization of institutions before the next phase of dialogue”. Media also report that Shpend Ahmeti, co-head of the negotiating team and leader of the Social Democratic Party of Kosovo (PSD), resigned from the delegation after the court announced its ruling. Zeri covers the developments under the front-page headline Unconstitutional negotiators, Thaci has no competencies to head dialogue. The paper quotes Enver Hasani, former President of the Constitutional Court, as saying that the court’s ruling proves that President Thaci has no competency to lead the process of dialogue. Epoka e Re reports on its front page that following the court’s ruling it is now more likely that Kosovo will head to early parliamentary elections this autumn.

President Thaci calls for political unity (media)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci reacted on Thursday after the Constitutional Court of Kosovo declared the negotiating team for talks with Serbia as unconstitutional, all media report. Thaci said he appreciates the political readiness and individual responsibility of the co-heads of the negotiating team. “The Republic of Kosovo will forever remain committed to strengthening peace and stability through dialogue and the European path, with the support of the U.S. and all our partners,” he said. Thaci said the Constitution of Kosovo is the roadmap for strengthening Kosovo’s statehood and for the path toward Euro-Atlantic integration. He added that no one can shoulder alone the weight of resolving a century-long dispute with Serbia, “this is why I have always appealed for political unity in this very important process for the country and our people”.

Hoxhaj: We will respect the decision of the Constitutional Court (RTK)

Enver Hoxhaj, deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, took to Facebook to write that his political party will respect the decision of the Constitutional Court for the State Delegation in the dialogue with Serbia.

“PDK believed from the beginning that Kosovo possesses its own legitimate institutions to lead the dialogue process by respecting the Constitution of the country. However, we continue to believe that political consensus is required in order to reach the final agreement with Serbia that would conclude with mutual recognition and the seat at the UN,” Hoxhaj wrote.

Sejdiu: LDK and Vetevendosje returned dialogue in Thaci’s hands (RTK)

Dardan Sejdiu, caucus of the Social-Democratic Party (PSD), addressed criticism on the address of the two opposition political parties, Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), with regards to the decision of the Constitutional Court that the State Delegation for the dialogue with Serbia is not foreseen by the Constitution, and is not foreseen within the form of government and separation of power.

“PSD’s attempt to give competencies and decision-making power to the Assembly and to remove dialogue from Hashim Thaci’s hands, was challenged by the two other opposition entities, LDK and Vetevendosje,” Sejdiu wrote on his Facebook page.

“The Social-Democratic Party accepts this decision and will act in accordance with it. Consequently, from today, members of the State Delegation from PSD, seize serving at this body. We joined the delegation with the condition that the delegation has competencies. As it does not have them anymore, then our position in the delegation is without any legal importance, wrote Sejdiu adding that now this process is returned in hands of the President and Prime Minister of Kosovo. “And everything that will be said from now on is simple, LDK and VV served dialogue to Hashim Thaci’s hands.”

Deda: Hashim Thaci’s role in the dialogue concluded today (RTK)

Kosovo Assembly’s MP Ilir Deda, said “it got clarified today, after almost two years, that there cannot be dialogue between presidents anymore, and today Hashim Thaci’s role in the dialogue with Serbia, concluded.”

“The decision of the Constitutional Court which dissolves the State Delegation for the dialogue with Serbia, brings another extremely important decision – it clarifies who has the mandate to lead the dialogue with Serbia. Only the government and the Prime Minister have the right and constitutional basis to deal with the dialogue – points 86, 87, 97, 98 and 107 of the decision,” Deda wrote.

He stressed that the Assembly has the mandate to supervise the foreign policy and security, therefore the dialogue with Serbia – points 92 and 93 of the ruling.

Krasniqi: PDK will not help bring down Haradinaj government (Zeri)

Memli Krasniqi, head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group, told the paper on Thursday that PDK MPs will not vote in favour of an eventual no-confidence motion against the Haradinaj-led government. Krasniqi argued that opposition parties themselves don’t want to go to early parliamentary elections. He added that the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is not interested in early elections because of ongoing party elections and the internal problems it is facing.

Ahmeti: We want to bring down government, I will call Mustafa and Kurti (media)

Shpend Ahmeti, leader of the Social Democratic Party of Kosovo (PSD), said in an interview to RTV Dukagjini on Thursday that the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) should stand with the opposition and support the no-confidence motion against the current government. “In the coming weeks, I will invite Isa Mustafa [LDK leader] and Albin Kurti [Vetevendosje leader] to a meeting with the aim of bringing down the government. We will see if they really want to do bring down the government. We want to do this,” Ahmeti said.

Pacolli: Kosovo ready to become a member of the United Nations (Zeri)

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, said on Thursday that Kosovo is ready to become a member of the United Nations, the paper reports on page two. Pacolli took to Facebook to say that Kosovo has no similarities with Catalonia. He also said that with his initiative, this year’s Crans Montana Forum will be held in Pristina. Pacolli said Kosovo is turning into a global address of peace and dialogue between different states.

Veseli: Fight against corruption is without compromise (Epoka)

Kosovo Assembly President and Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader, Kadri Veseli, said on Thursday that there should be no compromise in the fight of Kosovo’s authorities against corruption. “The state of Kosovo loses millions of euros every year as a result of corruption, mismanagement and the improper implementation of the law on management of public funds. These funds can be used for the wellbeing of our citizens, by making investments in education, healthcare and new job opportunities,” Veseli said.