Headlines - 03.05.2017

• Annex to border demarcation deal not based on Constitution (Koha Ditore)
• EU leaders: No visa liberalisation without border demarcation (RTK)
• Mogherini: Pristina to implement Brussels agreements (RTK)
• Tahiri: Dialogue with Serbia to be held on two levels (Radio Kosova)
• Mustafa: Kosovo today has no barricades, walls or provocative trains (media)
• Arifaj: Transformation of KSF into an army to end this year (media)
• Serbia risking sanctions by continuing to block energy agreement (Koha)

Annex to border demarcation deal not based on Constitution (Koha Ditore)

The paper quotes on the front page members of the opposition and legal experts claiming that the annex proposed by some MPs from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) to be included to the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro is not based on the Constitution of Kosovo. The proposed annex stipulates that the process would be reviewed in a year. Chair of the Kosovo Assembly’s committee on legislation, Vetevendosje’s Albulena Haxhiu, said according to the current legislation, international agreements such as the one on border demarcation with Montenegro cannot undergo any changes once adopted. Similarly, legal expert Riza Smaka said that an agreement ratified by the Assembly automatically becomes legislation and to change it would also require the consent of the Montenegrin side.

EU leaders: No visa liberalisation without border demarcation (RTK)

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, met yesterday in Brussels the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, as well as the Enlargement Commissioner, Johannes Hahn. In both meetings, Hoxhaj is said to have been reminded that border demarcation with Montenegro has remained the only condition before Kosovo can be granted visa liberalisation.

Mogherini: Pristina to implement Brussels agreements (RTK)

The EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said that continuation of dialogue with Serbia and implementation of agreements reached in Brussels are decisive for Kosovo. Mogherini’s spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, spoke to Tanjug about the meeting with Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj which focused on relations between Kosovo and Serbia. “EU and Kosovo share a wish for the latter to move as quickly towards the EU as possible but at the same time to promote and reconcile with Western Balkans countries,” Kocijancic said.

Tahiri: Dialogue with Serbia to be held on two levels (Radio Kosova)

In an interview to Radio Kosova, Kosovo’s Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, said talks between Kosovo and Serbia must resume at a higher level and enter a final phase. “I think the process should be at a higher level and more inclusive, something similar to the Vienna talks,” she said. “I think we need to talk about dialogue on two levels: the first level involving the implementation of the agreements reached, and meanwhile prepare a high-level political process that will take us to the third and final phase of talks with Serbia”. Tahiri said the goal of the final phase will be the mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia.

Mustafa: Kosovo today has no barricades, walls or provocative trains (media)

Several media report that Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa posted on his Facebook account on Tuesday that “among the historic achievements of the current government is Kosovo’s international telephone code (+383), the completion of many elements of statehood and the wielding of sovereignty throughout the country”. “Kosovo today has no barricades, walls or provocative trains. I have promoted the bridge that links the two most northern municipalities of our country. We have also dissolved many parallel structures,” Mustafa wrote.

Arifaj: Transformation of KSF into an army to end this year (media)

In an interview to KTV, Ardian Arifaj, advisor to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, said the law for the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into the Kosovo Army has not been withdrawn but that a chance has been given to transform the KSF through a broad-based political consensus. “There was full coordination with the ministries, government and the assembly. The Office of the President was not the only one involved. Both Plan A and Plan B were prepared together with internationals. There is support also from Serb MPs, but Serbia is the problem. We have not backed down, we are waiting. If someone wants to give Plan A another chance, we will do so, but we will not wait indefinitely to form the Kosovo Army. This is the final year,” Arifaj said.

Serbia risking sanctions by continuing to block energy agreement (Koha Ditore)

The Secretariat of the Balkans Energy Community is readying an amendment to the energy treaty regarding sanctions against countries that fail to respect agreements and the decisions of the Council of Ministers. One of the highest items in the agenda to be addressed by the Community, according to the paper, is that of the interconnectivity between Kosovo and Albania which continues to be inactive because of Serbia’s failure to implement its obligations under the agreement. Deputy director of the Energy Community, Dirk Buschle, said that Serbia has another unsettled case from 2008 regarding Kosovo. He said that apart from political sanctions, Serbia could also face financial sanctions.