UNMIK Headlines 4 July
EU: If PDK fails, government to be formed by majority coalition (Koha)
EU officials in Brussels insist that they do not wish to interfere in Kosovo’s internal affairs regarding the forming of the new government, but at the same time, want to see a stable Kosovo where democratic procedures are upheld, reports the paper on the front page. Officials said that if the new government is formed without the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Kosovo has to respect all decisions the past governments have taken. They also said that it would be reasonable for the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, to first give the opportunity to PDK to form the new government, and if it fails, the mandate should be entrusted to the coalition that has sufficient votes in the Assembly of Kosovo. The EU officials also claim that new elections are not desirable and would only be a waste of time for Kosovo.
Vetevendosje and Srpska could take Kosovo to new elections (Tribuna)
On the front page, the paper reports that, if the two separate blocs created by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) do not merge, Kosovo risks heading to extraordinary elections. This message is expected to be conveyed to Kosovo political leaders by senior international officials. While neither coalition is managing to secure the majority in the Assembly, internationals don’t want to see a government in Kosovo which heavily depends on either Vetevendosje or the Serbian List. Although Vetevendosje has evolved, it continues to oppose the establishment of the Association of Serb Municipalities, which contradicts the Brussels Agreement, while the Serbian List, with its direct links to Belgrade, would make the future Kosovo government ineffective.
Molliqaj: We’re getting closer to forming the government (Epoka e Re)
The General Secretary of Vetevendosje, Dardan Molliqaj, expressed optimism on Thursday that the opposition coalition could soon form the new government. “The positions of the other parties are clearly moving towards the text that we have presented on privatization and dialogue. So the agreement between the three political parties on one side and Vetevendosje’s on the other is possible,” said Molliqaj.
PDK: Prime Minister and Assembly Speaker posts belong to us (Zeri)
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) decided in a meeting yesterday that it will not give any possible coalition partners the posts of Prime Minister and Assembly Speaker. According to the party, the Constitutional Court has clarified that the two posts belong to the PDK, since it won the elections.
Krasniqi: PDK wants to communicate with NISMA head (Epoka e Re)
Jakup Krasniqi, Chairman of the National Council of the Initiative for Kosovo (Nisma) told Kosovapress that the opposition coalition was not created to be vengeful towards the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) or Hashim Thaci, but to fulfill a need for change in Kosovo. He noted that the PDK is interested in communicating with his party. “We have not accepted the offer. Of course they are interested in communicating with the leader of Nisma, but we are interested in changing the way that Kosovo is governed,” stated Krasniqi. He also spoke about the discussions that are being held between his party, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Vetevendosje, on the dialogue with Belgrade. “The main point is dialogue with Serbia. Of course they (Vetevendosje) have a slightly more negative approach. Ours is more positive. But I consider that positions on the content and type of dialogue will be overcome during the discussions that will happen in the days to come,” said Krasniqi.
Lunacek: I’ll continue to support Kosovo on integration (Botapress)
The European Parliament’s Rapporteur for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, who has recently been appointed Vice President of the European Parliament, said that, despite her additional tasks, she will never stop reporting on developments in Kosovo. “Portfolios and competencies of the Vice President will be determined during September and October, but I will continue to work with the countries of the Western Balkans, while also continuing to be part of the Foreign Affairs Commission. I also want to inform you that I will be one of the Deputies of the European Parliament delegation that will work with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo,” Lunacek told Radio Dukagjini.
Gashi: PDK is a criminal party, I won’t support it (Botapress)
A senior official of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Arben Gashi, noted that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is speculating that there are future LDK deputies who will vote for Hashim Thaci for Prime Minister. Gashi emphasized that, even though there is some unhappiness within his party, this does not mean that he will support a government presented by PDK. “I think that PDK is a criminal party and it cannot have my support,” Gashi told Telegrafi.
Hodzic: Administrative Office discusses situation at Kroi i Vitakut (Zeri)
The Head of the Administrative Office in Mitrovica North, Adriana Hodzic, told the local media in Mitrovica that all those who are building, regardless of whether they are Albanians or Serbs, should have valid construction permits. She added that the Administrative Office has held two meetings related to the situation in the neighborhood of Kroi i Vitakut – one with Albanians and Serbs – and another with the Mayor of Mitrovica North, the Head of the Municipal Assembly, and Albanian municipality deputies of Mitrovica North. “Both sides agreed that everybody has to behave in accordance with the law and that it is unacceptable to continue with illegal construction,” said Hodzic.
No bodies found at suspected mass grave site (Tribuna)
Excavations in Raska, Serbia, in the Rudnica 2 area, where it had been thought another mass grave might exist, have ended. No human remains were recovered at the site. Kosovo forensics expert Arsim Gërxhaliu confirmed this and added that his team will suspend its work for three weeks, and start digging at other suspected locations later. Forty-five bodies of Kosovo Albanians were exhumed from the first discovered mass grave in Rudnica, but there are suspicions that 250 bodies are buried in the area.