Headlines - 07.06.2017

• Hahn: Kosovo to form pro-European government (Zeri)
• Hahn: Visas would be lifted if there was readiness by Kosovo leaders (Koha)
• Quint concerned over reported efforts to influence election results (media)
• O’Connell: People to feel responsible for what they vote (Zeri)
• Lunacek urges new government to vote demarcation deal (Klan Kosova)
• Thaci: Russian airplanes in Serbia, threat to the Balkans (Lajmi)

Hahn: Kosovo to form pro-European government (Zeri)

The EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, said the EU expects Kosovo to come out of 11 June elections with a pro-European government ready to fulfill the remaining visa liberalisation criteria as soon as possible. Speaking at a conference on the European perspective of the Western Balkans, Hahn said that if Kosovo leaders are serious towards European perspective, they need to ensure free, fair, and democratic elections.

Hahn: Visas would be lifted if there was readiness by Kosovo leaders (Koha)

The European Union’s Enlargement Commissioner, Johannes Hahn, commented on recent criticism by some Western Balkans leaders, saying that “it has become political practice to blame others when they fail to meet their own obligations”. The paper notes that Hahn was most probably referring to a statement by Kosovo President Hashim Thaci who criticized the European Union, and Hahn in particular, for “lack of leadership” and for “being interested only in Serbia”. At a meeting with reporters in Brussels, Hahn said that no one has done more for the Western Balkans than the European Union and that this approach will continue in the future. “We will either export stability to the region or we will have instability coming from the region,” he said. Hahn also said Kosovo would have received visa liberalization if there was readiness among its leaders to meet the two remaining requirements.

Quint concerned over reported efforts to influence election results (media)

Several media report that the Quint countries – the embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States – issued a joint statement saying they have received a number of “deeply concerning reports of efforts to influence the results of the election in Kosovo through threats and intimidation”. The statement adds that in particular, there appears to be an attempt to intimidate and coerce members of the Kosovo-Serb community to vote in a particular way, and that such actions are completely unacceptable. The statement calls on Kosovo authorities and police to investigate these cases fully. “All Kosovo citizens must be able to cast their votes according to their conscience and free from intimidation, interference, and fear,” the statement noted.

O’Connell: People to feel responsible for what they vote (Zeri)

The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, said in a front-page interview to Zeri that the people of Kosovo have their fate in their own hands and that they ought to choose candidates that have a record clean of any corruption affair. “In a democracy, I think two things are important: one, that the voters understand what they are voting for and second, that voters feel responsible for their vote”, said O’Connell. He said that the practice of people associated with corrupt activity being accepted in politics needs to stop.

Lunacek urges new government to vote demarcation deal (Klan Kosova)

The EU Rapporteur for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, said that the new elected government should vote demarcation of the border with Montenegro. “I hope that those elected after the 11 June would act with responsibility and vote demarcation of the border with Montenegro and seriously fight corruption – the two main conditions for liberalization of visas,” Lunacek said through a video message for Kosovo, regional and international students who held a simulating meeting in Kosovo, and discussed visa liberalization among other issues. Students also spoke about fighting of terrorism, while Lunacek’s message on the matter was that “as far as terrorism is concerned, forces of the European Union countries should cooperate more on fighting this phenomenon.”

Thaci: Russian airplanes in Serbia, threat to the Balkans (Lajmi)

The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci told Croatian daily Jutarnji that transformation of Kosovo Security Force into an army does not represent a threat for any country of the region, instead it would contribute to peace. Thaci said that Kosovo is a sovereign state and as any independent country, has the right to have its own army. According to him, this will happen during this year and these forces will be trained according to NATO standards. “They are a multiethnic force and this entire process will be coordinated with NATO and other partners. No one has the right to stop this,” he added. “The only threat are Russian military forces and Russian airplanes in Serbia,” Thaci said. He added that Kosovo is a member of different global international, political, economic and sports organisations “and each day we have more influence and respect among the international community.” Thaci said that he expects Russia to make steps towards recognition of Kosovo. According to him, this would have been an interest of Serbia as well. Thaci also suggested deepening of the relations with Croatia, especially in the field of economy, through trade and investments.