UNMIK Headlines 14 July
Leaders pledge to continue dialogue (dailies)
US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland visited Kosovo on Sunday as part of her tour to Balkan countries. In a meeting with the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, Nuland received assurances that dialogue with Belgrade will remain a priority. Jahjaga stressed that the progress reached so far in the dialogue process is very important but that implementation of agreements, including the removal of barricades in the north, remains a serious obstacle for normalization of relations with Belgrade. “Assistant Secretary Nuland reiterated the US Government’s strong support for Kosovo and its efforts towards greater Euro-Atlantic integration. She stressed the importance of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and progress on implementation of the April 19, 2013, Brussels normalization agreement. She welcomed the President’s views on countering violent extremism and corruption and agreed on the need for continued cooperation”, a press release issued by Jahjaga’s office says. Nuland also met outgoing Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. A statement issued by the Kosovo government says that the meeting focused on recent developments in Kosovo and the region and the dialogue. “Concrete results have been achieved in this process but there is stagnation in their implementation on the part of Serbia”, the statement read. Opposition leaders Isa Mustafa and Ramush Haradinaj said after meeting Nuland that they expressed commitment to respect all democratic procedures and work in the interest of the people of Kosovo. The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Isa Mustafa, denied that there was pressure from the US official on determining the future ruling coalition.
US: Kosovo to have a constitutional, legitimate and transparent govt (Koha)
The paper runs a front-page interview with Victoria Nuland, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, highlighting her quote that the United States wants to see a constitutional, legitimate and transparent government in Kosovo. “We don’t want to plan this for the people of Kosovo or for the leaders of Kosovo. If the government is constitutional, if it is legitimate and transparent, if it is broadly accepted, then this is what is best for your country,” Nuland said. “We have made it clear that we want to see an outcome where dialogue will continue, because normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is crucial. We have also made it clear that we want leaders to take enough time to form the government and to make sure that it will be stable.”
Three US blows against Thaci (Bota Sot)
According to this paper, the United States has dealt three serious blows to Kosovo’s outgoing Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci. The first was when US Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson refused to give a speech during the inauguration of the Pristina-Skopje motorway. The second one happened on 4 July, at Ambassador Jacobson’s residence, when, during her welcome speech in the presence of hundreds of guests, she mentioned only President Jahjaga and not Thaci. The third blow came from Victoria Nuland, when she did not agree to give a statement to the media after her meeting with Thaci or be quoted in the Office of the Prime Minister’s press release.
Draft unity agreement to be signed (Epoka e Re)
The meeting between the Vetevendosje Movement and the coalition of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), which was foreseen to have taken place on Sunday, has been delayed until Monday. Parties are expected to sign a draft agreement which would make Vetevendosje part of the new Government. Vetevendosje deputy Visar Ymeri said that Vetevendosje’s principles have been welcomed by all; however, now is the time to put these principles on paper. LDK leader Isa Mustafa also expressed faith that the parties will move forward together in a positive manner.
EU waits for new government to sign SAA (Koha)
The paper’s correspondent in Brussels reports that sources in the European Union have refuted a recent statement made by Kosovo’s outgoing foreign minister, Enver Hoxhaj, who said that Pristina and Brussels will soon sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Some circles in the EU believe that the EU should wait for the new government to be formed in Pristina.
Mass grave suspected to be under ruins of Mitrovica mosque (Zeri)
The missing persons association, “Parents’ Voice” in Mitrovica, reacted strongly to the plans of the northern Mitrovica leadership to construct a square on the ruins of what was a mosque on the bank of the River Iber/Ibar. The association claims that there is a well-founded suspicion that bodies of Albanians killed during the conflict have been buried under the mosque, which was burned in April 1999.
Assembly Speaker issue also at the Constitutional Court (Epoka e Re)
The Constitutional Court is expected to consider yet another issue related to the 8 June elections. Constitutional expert Riza Smaka and political analyst Artan Muhaxhiri told the paper that tensions among the two blocs related to the Assembly Speaker post, can only be resolved by the Constitutional Court.