• Haradinaj: Kosovo committed to reaching final agreement with Serbia (media)
• Hahn: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to be comprehensive (RFE/Zeri)
• Norwegian ambassador warns of consequences if there is no agreement (G. Metro)
• Former U.S. assistant secretary of state argues against border changes (RFE)
• WB: Over 17,000 people left Kosovo job market in 2018 (media)
• Haradinaj disputes WB report findings (media)
• LDK leader Mustafa reacts to World Bank report (media)
• UK Embassy: We advised to avoid only northern municipalities (RTK)
• Isa Mustafa to run again for party leader, party official confirms (Express)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Haradinaj: Kosovo committed to reaching final agreement with Serbia (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj said today at a meeting with Czech special envoy on Western Balkans, Janina Hrebickova, that Kosovo is committed to reaching a final agreement with Serbia which he said would include mutual recognition and good neighbourly relations.

In the meeting, Haradinaj also spoke about Kosovo government’s priorities relating to European integration, emphasizing in this respect the strengthening of the rule of law and visa liberalisation.

Hahn: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to be comprehensive (RFE/Zeri)

European Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, said that the future agreement on normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo will be comprehensive. “The agreement between North Macedonia and Greece has 35 to 40 pages. I don’t expect the future agreement between Pristina and Belgrade to have less, and can likely consist of hundreds of pages,” Hahn told Radio Free Europe in Serbian.

He said the future agreement needs to be sustainable and contribute to the development of the region and expressed hope that the dialogue would resume soon.

Norwegian ambassador warns of consequences if there is no agreement (Gazeta Metro)

The Norwegian Ambassador to Kosovo Per Strand Sjaastad warned yesterday that if an agreement with Serbia is not reached, there will be serious consequences for Kosovo. “As far as the dialogue is concerned, its conclusion is very important and it gives shape to your country. Many see 2019 as possible solution. RIDEA Institute commenced a research by interviewing citizens. According to the survey, majority of the citizens support the dialogue and the message is that people want change. Political parties agreed on mutual recognition, however, there is no consensus for the moment. One thing should be clear that every option  has a price and its reach is a difficult compromise while lack of reach of an agreement is loss of the chance to include Kosovo in international projects. Kosovo has to do a lot as far as improvements in healthcare, education…are concerned,” Sjaastad said.

Former U.S. assistant secretary of state argues against border changes (RFE)

Thomas Countryman, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, said in an interview to the news agency that, the idea for border changes between Kosovo and Serbia is not the right solution. He said an agreement between the two countries must be taken by their respective leaders and governments and that this is not a decision in which the United States of America can have a veto.

“However, many observers in the Balkans are concerned that any territorial redefinition between Kosovo and Serbia can have negative consequences. This could also lead to discussions if there should be ethnic borders in other countries like Northern Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and this would be a formula for resorting to ethnic conflicts and the instability of the region. I think that border rearrangement between Kosovo and Serbia is not a solution of the 21st century for the problems that these two countries have. It would be better for them to move forward with reforms and the rule of law, which would enable both countries to move toward the European Union. This should be at the focus of talks,” he said.

WB: Over 17,000 people left Kosovo job market in 2018 (media)

World Bank presented yesterday the findings of the regular economic report for the Western Balkans and underlined that last year Kosovo experienced an economic growth of 4.2 percent but continues to face problems with creating new jobs and public expenses. At the same time, World Bank officials pointed out that around 17,000 people left the Kosovo job market in 2018 making Kosovo job market the lowest in the region.

Haradinaj disputes WB report findings (media)

World Bank in Pristina noted in its latest report on Tuesday that thousands of work places were lost during 2018 and that unemployment rate has increased. However, the Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj does not share the same opinion, reports RTK. He however added during a press conference that the situation is not as satisfactory and that there is still work to be done.

Haradinaj also spoke about Russia’s influence in Serbia: “Serbia is buying arms in Moscow. Those arms aim wars and cost a lot, and this means that Serbia is taking the money of the taxpayers and is opening new jobs in Moscow,” he said.

Haradinaj added further that the EU is granting funds to Serbia and it is not complaining about this. According to Haradinaj, statistics show that the number of jobs has increased.

He said he hoped for partnership with the World Bank in several projects in Kosovo adding that more investments are required in order to have new working places.

LDK leader Mustafa reacts to World Bank report (media)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Isa Mustafa blamed the government of Kosovo for the results presented by the World Bank. He said however that the 4 percent growth is good news but expressed concern over the loss of 17,000 jobs. Mustafa said that while Kosovo institutions are preoccupied with populist politics and fights over who will construct more highways close to one’s region, “it lacks serious approach and interest for the vital problem of the youth: unemployment.”

UK Embassy: We advised to avoid only northern municipalities (RTK)

The Embassy of the Great Britain in Kosovo has reacted after the reporting that the U.K. Foreign Office advises British visitors to avoid visits in northern Kosovo, due to the continuous tensions. “Various news outlets have recently reported (without first checking with the British Embassy) that the UK has advised its citizens not to travel to Kosovo. This is not true. We have advised against all but essential travel to the northern municipalities for several years, due to a number of recent violent incidents linked to organised crime in Northern Kosovo, and the ongoing risk that these structures pose. We keep this and the rest of our travel advice under constant review and issue regular updates,” informed the Embassy.

Isa Mustafa to run again for party leader, party official confirms (Express)

Isa Mustafa, current leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK,) will run again for the leader of the party. The news was confirmed by LDK member Shefki Gashi, who said that Mustafa told him in person that he will run in the internal elections that will take place soon. According to Gashi, Mustafa is the only person that can keep stability in LDK.