Headlines - 26.07.2014

Non-state agreement with the EU (Tribuna)

The paper claims to posses a draft of a detailed analysis on the distinctions between the Stabilization Association Agreement (SAA), for Kosovo and the SAA given to the other countries, as well as a legal interpretation of the European Council which explains that the SAA for Kosovo will not predict the status and Kosovo will appear with a footnote. Both analyses were used to convince the EU member states which have not recognized the independence of Kosovo to accept an agreement between Kosovo and the EU. “It is being requested from the Republic of Kosovo to sign an agreement with the European Union, with which Kosovo would give up the Republic. The Stabilization Association draft is ready to be signed by Kosovo and the EU, however Kosovo’s first contractual agreement with this Union does not contain elements which would indicate that the EU is reaching an agreement with a state,” reports this daily.

Coalition confronts PDK’s claims at the Constitutional Court (dailies)

The block of the three coalition parties, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), are preparing the final comments which will be submitted to the Constitutional Court, as a response to the decision of the latter on the election of the Assembly Speaker of Kosovo. Avni Arifi, principal adviser of the AAK leader, stated that they will submit the comments to the Constitutional Court within two or three days. The coalition intends to submit the signatures of the 83 deputies who were present at the Assembly constitutive session, including those of Vetevendosje and minority deputies.

Gashi: Stop or we will intervene (Tribuna)

Dardan Gashi, Kosovo’s outgoing Minister for Environment and Spatial Planning, reacted regarding the restart of construction works in Mitrovica North. According to him, despite the agreements in Pristina and Brussels to stop construction works in both northern and southern Mitrovica, municipal authorities in Mitrovica North, induced by Belgrade authorities, are provoking during the last two days, by starting and stopping construction works at two high buildings at Kroi i Vitakut neighborhood. “Despite the attempts of our inspectors who are continuously in the field, to stop works there and to respect the agreement, officials from the North continue to break the Law and any agreement reached so far,” said Gashi. “On behalf of the government of Kosovo, I want to remind initiators of these provocations that we restrained our actions for the sake of the dialogue and the negotiating process as well as the vision for integration of the North in the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo. However, if these provocations continue during the next hours, we are ready and forced to intervene,” he said. He added that officials and individuals from Mitrovica North and from Belgrade will be held responsible for the created situation there and for the situation that might be created, due to their continuous efforts to provoke the situation.

Haradinaj: Constitutional Court with double standards (Epoka e Re)

Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said on Friday in an interview for Kosovapress, that the Constitutional Court of Kosovo is using double standards. According to him, the decision of the Court to temporarily suspend election of Isa Mustafa as the Speaker of the Assembly is in contradiction with the decision of the same Court not to suspend Pacolli when he was elected for President. “Kosovo is hostage of usurpation by Thaci’s regime. However, this political process cannot be kept hostage for long. Deputies have decided to bring a solution to any situation,” said Haradinaj.

Krasniqi: There is no reason for new elections (Zeri)

Jakup Krasniqi, former Speaker at the Assembly of Kosovo, said in an interview for this paper that Kosovo does not have the luxury to organize extraordinary elections in autumn, because it is not wise for the poorest country in Europe to spend millions for elections. He explained that he did not request to return at the Office of the Assembly Speaker after the decision of the Constitutional Court to suspend Isa Mustafa’s nomination, because he considers that Mustafa’s election was regular. “If the Constitutional Court obliged me, by stating that the post should not remain vacant, I would respect the suggestion. I have rightfully handed over the duty,” said Krasniqi.