Headlines - 04.04.2013

Thaçi: We said yes to the document since 4 March (dailies)

Koha Ditore reports that one draft document for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, sponsored from official Brussels, has been presented to the parties few days ago and according to Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, Pristina said yes to this document.

Thaçi made Belgrade responsible for no agreement being reached in the last round of talks. In a press conference upon his return from Brussels, PM Thaçi said that it is up to Serbia to respond to the invitation of Baroness Catherine Ashton with accepting or not the agreement.

“Kosovo stances are in full accordance with the guidelines of European Union but also of United States of America, therefore the answer of Pristina was ready since 4 March and is also ready today”, said Prime Minister Thaçi. “Authorities in Belgrade have requested extra time for consultations and it will depend on their answer if they will accept the document or not accept it”.

Tribuna reports that Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, during the press conference in Pristina spoke broadly about the dialogue but did not give a final definition of the fate of the process for normalization of the relations. Thaçi preferred to speak about two possible scenarios: the one in which Serbia would accept the agreement and for which he expressed hope that it would happen, and the other scenario in which Serbia would refuse the agreement. In this case, he said, institutions of the country in coordination with the international community will extend their authority also in the north. However, he warned that this case would be the most difficult for Serb citizens of Kosovo since “they would continue to be lied to by Belgrade that division, Republika Srpska or autonomy, could happen.”

Brussels gives them another opportunity (Zëri)

The paper reports that EU wishes to believe that prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia will consult colleagues and reach consent on what was discussed on the last meeting in Brussels. An international official said that the two parties have been given a deadline to reach an agreement on the north and if they fail to agree by 15 April, they will face serious consequences on their journey to EU.

Ashton waits for negotiators’ answers (Zëri)

Spokesperson of the EU High Representative, Maja Kocijancic, confirmed that proposals presented in the last meeting between prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia, Hashim Thaçi and Ivica Dacic, are still on the table but for the time being, the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton does not envisage inviting the parties for another round of talks. “The two parties will now undergo consultations in their countries and inform the EU High Representative of their decisions and we will consider further course of action from there”, said Kocijancic.

The US supports agreement within Constitution of Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

A western diplomat who preferred to remain anonymous told this daily that the United States have not changed their positions regarding the north of Kosovo and added that the interpreted positions of the Spokesperson of the US State Department which go beyond this definition do not reflect the reality. The official further added that Obama’s administration even supports the position expressed by Prime Minister Thaçi made public on Wednesday afternoon. “The US supports the comments made by the Prime Minister at the press conference and it respects any agreement which is in accordance with Kosovo’s Constitution and laws,” said this diplomat and added that the statement of the Spokesperson only expressed support for both parties on the reaching of an agreement.

Serbs thinking about “autonomy” (Tribuna)

Political representatives of northern Serbs were encouraged by the latest position of the Serbian Government in dialogue with Kosovo. Early in the week these representatives were concerned over indications about an agreement between Pristina and Belgrade and threatened to create an assembly that would implement in northern Kosovo only the constitution and laws of Serbia, but on Wednesday they changed their tone. Serb leaders from northern Kosovo gathered in Leposavic but made no unilateral actions because an agreement was not reached in Brussels. If an agreement had been reached, they warned they would prepare the legal basis to declare autonomy for the northern region. Serb leaders also said EULEX should be replaced with UNMIK and that Russian KFOR should return to Serb-inhabited areas.

Rohan: Disappointing that Serbia refused proposals (Koha Ditore)

The failure of the dialogue on Tuesday is regrettable, and Serbia is the one who should change its approach if an agreement would be reached within the assigned deadline from the European Union, said former facilitator for the status of Kosovo, Albert Rohan while commenting for Koha Ditore the latest developments in the process of talks between Kosovo and Serbia. “There is always space for an agreement although this would require change of approach from Belgrade. If Serbia insists on refusal, this would be the third lost possibility by Belgrade after Rambouillet in 1999 and Vienna in 2007 to face the reality and stabilize the situation in the region,” said Rohan.

Mustafa against special status for the north (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the head of Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Isa Mustafa, has repeated once more his stance that solutions from the dialogue with Serbia should be in full accordance with the Constitution of Republic of Kosovo. Commenting on the latest round of talks in Brussels, he said that it is difficult for him to express a stance because he does not have information what exactly happened in Brussels on Tuesday evening. He added that any solution should respect Kosovo’s constitutional and territorial integrity and the resolutions approved by the Assembly. “I don’t see a reason for one part of the country receiving special status for the fact that it will be very difficult for the state to function in this form”, said Mustafa.

Hyseni: We should not get excited (Epoka e Re)

Former foreign minister of Kosovo Skender Hyseni has called on the Kosovar side to defend strongly presented stances in the dialogue with Serbia. In an interview for Epoka e Re, Hyseni said there is no room for excitement and that Kosovo should be cautious in face of the created situation.

Vetëvendosje wants dialogue to fail (Tribuna)

Vetëvendosje Movement says it is good news that Kosovo and Serbia prime ministers did not reach an agreement in Brussels on Tuesday. Vetëvendosje argues that dialogue with Belgrade should not have started in the first place. The movement also believes that Prime Minister Thaçi continues dialogue with new concessions, by accepting the association of Serb municipalities, by creating a form of autonomy, by accepting the Fond for the North and by agreeing to a special police unit that will protect Orthodox churches and monasteries. Vetëvendosje believes Kosovo must wield its sovereignty in the north, disband Serbia’s illegal and hostile structures, stop their funding and functioning, return and protect Albanians in their properties in the north, guarantee the return of all displaced persons to their homes and invest in the Trepça mining complex in order to increase employment, development and well-being in the north and throughout Kosovo.

Government receives only two bids for PTK privatisation (dailies)

Government of Kosovo has received only two offers for privatizing 75 percent of shares in the Kosovo Post and Telecom (PTK). The bidders include “M1 International” part of Lebanon-based “M1 Group” owned by former Lebanon Prime Minister Najib Mikati and “Axos Capital Partners” based in Hamburg, Germany. The Government commission in charge of the bidding process did not disclose the price offered by the companies.

Political parties prepare for elections in Pristina (Lajm)

Political parties have started preparations for upcoming local elections, with special focus on the capital city of Pristina, the paper reports on page five. Unnamed sources told Lajm that the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), which currently governs Pristina, is considering three candidates for mayor: Ismet Beqiri, Skender Hyseni and Hashim Deshishku. In the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) it seems that Enver Hoxhaj is a preferred candidate over Blerand Stavileci. Vetëvendosje is expected to run with Shpend Ahmeti, while the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) with Besnik Tahiri.