UNMIK Headlines 25 June
Opposition coalition expected to agree with Vetevendosje on dialogue (Zeri)
The paper reports on page four that the opposition coalition is expected to agree with Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti’s terms for dialogue with Belgrade. “Leaders that have signed the agreement are discussing Vetevendosje’s terms. I believe that many things will be clarified by the end of the week, and all sides will reach an agreement on the dialogue process,” a senior official of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) told the paper. Ahmet Isufi, deputy leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) said on the matter: “I believe that talks between leaders of the opposition bloc and the Vetevendosje Movement will enable the formation of a new government led by Ramush Haradinaj. In this respect, I believe an agreement will be reached with Vetevendosje”. Vetevendosje’s Dardan Molliqaj said the opposition bloc has shown readiness to consider the principles of the Vetevendosje Movement. He also said that this week’s meeting between leaders will reveal if differences can be overcome.
Krasniqi: Vetevendosje cannot put conditions on us (dailies)
Jakup Krasniqi, chairman of the National Council of the Initiative for Kosovo (Nisma) said on Tuesday he is convinced that the opposition coalition which aims to create the future government will not be against dialogue with Serbia. In an interview for Politiko, Krasniqi said it was in Kosovo’s and the region’s interests to resolve existing problems and normalize relations. Asked about Vetevendosje’s terms on the matter, Krasniqi stated that neither the coalition nor the government should be limited by any conditions. “We are not against dialogue … How that dialogue will proceed is another matter,” he added.
In Belgrade, parallels drawn between northern Kosovo and Crimea (Tribuna)
The Mitrovica barricade is creating new political circumstances that conflict with what the Brussels Agreement envisioned for the integration of the north into Kosovo structures, the paper writes on the front page. Increasingly in Belgrade, links are being drawn between the annexation of Crimea and the situation in northern Kosovo. The presence of Belgrade Government officials in the construction of the dividing park between the south and the north of Mitrovica, according to the paper, presents a more serious concern than the construction of the park itself. Belgrade analyst Dusan Janjic said certain Serb politicians have often been heard comparing Crimea to the north of Kosovo. “I think that a part of Belgrade wants this. But I have never heard Prime Minister Vucic saying that the annexation of Crimea has created a new geopolitical situation which needs to be used”, said Janjic.
Djuric: Serbs will participate in Kosovo institutions (Epoka e Re)
Marko Djuric, head of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo, told Radio Free Europe on Tuesday that an agreement has been reached for Kosovo Serbs to be part of Kosovo institutions. He also said that the decision for a united approach was reached after a meeting that representatives of Srpska List and other Kosovo Serbs had with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. He said the agreement represents a turning point for the political activities of Serbs in Kosovo.
Rakic: “Peace Park” problem will be resolved in Brussels (Epoka e Re)
After the meeting of Kosovo Serb representatives with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, Mitrovica North Mayor Goran Rakic called on the international community to hail the extended hand of reconciliation that Mitrovica Serbs offered to Albanians and to condemn the latter for not accepting this. Rakic also said that the “Peace Park” problem is on the table in Brussels and that it should be resolved at that level.
Ceku meets future COMKFOR (Bota Sot)
The Minister for the Kosovo Security Force, Agim Ceku, today held an introductory meeting with the future KFOR Commander, Major General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, who was accompanied by a delegation of senior KFOR officials. Ceku expressed appreciation for the contributions of KFOR in Kosovo and its help to the Kosovo Security Force in reaching complete operational capacities. Major General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, who is expected to assume his duties in September, expressed readiness to continue close cooperation in all possible fields during his mandate.