Headlines - 08.08.2017

• PAN: Decision to call Thursday’s session, arbitrary; LDK hails it (Zeri)
• Serbian List to attend Assembly’s Thursday session (Kosova Sot)
• Analysts: Thaci should step in to resolve deadlock (Zeri/RFE)
• Pacolli reiterates calls for a broad-based government (Epoka e Re)
• Viets: Germany will continue support for Kosovo (Zeri)
• Mustafa does not replace PDK ministers (Koha)
• Citaku reacts to Twitter post by Russian Foreign Ministry (media)

PAN: Decision to call Thursday’s session, arbitrary; LDK hails it (Zeri)

Representatives of PAN coalition commented on the decision of the Kosovo Assembly constitutive session chairman Adem Mikullovci to resume the session on Thursday by calling it “an arbitrary move”. In a statement, PAN said the chairman of the session has been put in the service of his party, Vetevendosje, and that they only want to deepen the institutions crisis. However, Xhavit Haliti from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) said that the chairman of the constitutive session can call a session without prior consultations with political parties. At the same time, deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Haki Rugova, said it was a good thing that the chairman of the Kosovo Assembly constitutive session Adem Mikullovci decided to schedule its resumption on Thursday.

Serbian List to attend Assembly’s Thursday session (Kosova Sot)

Serbian List MPs are expected to attend the continuation of Kosovo Assembly’s constitutive session called by its chairman for Thursday. Igor Simic, MP and spokesperson for the Serbian List, told Radio Free Europe that they consider Kosovo institutions need to be formed as soon as possible and that they would vote for any candidate proposed by PAN.

Analysts: Thaci should step in to resolve deadlock (Zeri/RFE)

Political analysts Radio Free Europe has spoken to consider that President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci ought to step in and try to resolve the current political deadlock following the failure of the Kosovo Assembly to elect speaker. Ilir Ibrahimi argued that Thaci would have to call a meeting of political leaders and seek a way out of the situation. Meanwhile, Shkelzen Maliqi said all parties have contributed to the present situation and, as a result, all have to make certain concessions. Maliqi also believes however that Thaci should gather leaders of political parties and speed the process towards forming new institutions.

Pacolli reiterates calls for a broad-based government (Epoka e Re)

In an interview to the paper, leader of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) part of the LAA coalition, Behgjet Pacolli, reiterated his idea for a broad-based government which, he believes, would resolve the current political crisis in Kosovo. “We should all move from our positions and find a solution that would serve Kosovo’s state interests”, Pacolli said. He noted that it would be of little significance who would run this government and that the most important thing is to reach a full consensus between political parties in Kosovo.

Viets: Germany will continue support for Kosovo (Zeri)

German Ambassador to Kosovo, Angelika Viets, said in a farewell meeting with Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, yesterday that Germany would continue support for Kosovo while Mustafa thanked the ambassador for her contribution to deepening of cooperation between Kosovo and Germany.

Mustafa does not replace PDK ministers (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that outgoing Prime Minister Isa Mustafa has replaced four out of eight members of his cabinet who have assumed MP posts. Mustafa has replaced only four ministers of his party, the Democratic League of Kosovo, and no minister from the Democratic Party of Kosovo. The latter has requested talks with Mustafa before other changes are made. Kosovapress reported on Monday afternoon that Avdullah Hoti will be replaced by his deputy Agim Krasniqi to the post of Finance Minister; Vlora Dumoshi will replace Kujtim Shala as the new Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports;  Lutfi Zharku is being replaced to the post of Minister of Infrastructure by Hanefi Muharremi; and Safet Kamberi will replace Arban Abrashi as Minister of Labour and Social Welfare.

Citaku reacts to Twitter post by Russian Foreign Ministry (media)

Kosovo’s Ambassador in Washington, Vlora Citaku, has reacted to a Twitter post by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs which said that “the United States of America and its allies violated international law by forcefully separating Kosovo from Serbia”. Citaku wrote shortly “Seriously?” after retweeting the post.