Headlines - 23.10.2014

Bloc to make a decision (Tribuna)

The paper reports on the front page that leaders of the post-election coalition, consisting of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) and Vetevendosje, are expected to meet today. They plan to decide whether to address the Constitutional Court on item 127 of its ruling or come up with a different alternative for resolving the political stalemate. AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj expressed disappointment over the decision of President Atifete Jahjaga to send the issue to the Constitutional Court. He said he believed that the bloc would address the Court as well, since it had no other option.

Bloc doesn’t want Thaci to be President (Tribuna)

Representatives of the post-election coalition rejected the idea of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader, Hashim Thaci, becoming President of Kosovo in exchange for PDK giving up its claim to the Assembly Speaker post. Ismet Beqiri from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) said the prospect of reaching an agreement with PDK on the President post is unacceptable and such an issue will not even be discussed. The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) maintains that there is no need to discuss the sharing of posts with PDK. “We have the vast majority with over 80 MPs who support our vision, and we are entitled to form institutions,” said AAK senior official Donika Kadaj-Bujupi.

Kurti suggests giving up on Assembly Speaker post (Koha)

Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti said on Wednesday that the coalition consisting of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Vetevendosje, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), has two options to pave way for the formation of new institutions. “We can remain adamant and disregard the decision of the Constitutional Court because the latter has no credibility, or we can view this from a different standpoint – that the post of Assembly Speaker is not important and we should not insist on getting it,” Kurti said.

Americans meet Thaci (Koha)

Representatives of the United States Embassy in Pristina met on Wednesday with Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. US Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson did not attend the meeting, but was represented by Deputy Ambassador Jennifer Bachus. “The United States Embassy has regular meetings with Prime Minister Thaci and other political leaders to discuss current developments in Kosovo,” Philip Drewry, press officer at the US Embassy, said.

IOC grants provisional recognition to Kosovo Olympic Committee (dailies)

All dailies report that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has granted provisional recognition to the Kosovo Olympic Committee. “The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today granted provisional recognition to the Kosovo Olympic Committee and proposed that the National Olympic Committee (NOC) be granted full recognition at the next IOC Session to be held in December in Monaco… The EB noted that the NOC of Kosovo has met the requirements for recognition as outlined in the Olympic Charter. These include the sport and technical requirements as well as the definition of ‘country’ as defined in Rule 30.1 – ‘an independent State recognised by the international community.’ Kosovo is recognised as a country by 108 of the 193 UN Member States. The decision was taken by the Executive Board in the interests of the athletes in Kosovo and to remove any uncertainty they may have. It will allow them to take part in qualifications for the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and in future editions of the Games,” noted the IOC press release.

Hoxhaj and Ismajli equal to other ministers (Epoka e Re)

Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister of Kosovo, stated during a government meeting on Wednesday that Ministers Enver Hoxhaj and Fadil Ismajli will participate at the Conference of Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkans in Belgrade, and they will be treated in an equal manner with the Ministers of the other countries. Before his departure, Minister Enver Hoxhaj stated that this visit proved that the process of normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia as two sovereign countries is in a significant phase.

Crimea delays Slovakia’s recognition of Kosovo (Tribuna)

A former senior advisor in the Slovakian Foreign Ministry, Milan Nic, who now heads an NGO, said he was optimistic about Slovakia’s recognition of Kosovo a year ago. “But what Russia did in Ukraine and Crimea’s annexation has reopened the very sensitive issue of changing borders in Europe”, he said. Nic stressed that Kosovo needs to be patient and wait for a change in the situation in Europe, following events in Ukraine.

Drug lord gets Kosovo passport (Zeri)

In the leading front-page story, the paper reports that Safet Kalic, a Montenegrin drug lord wanted by Interpol, received a false Kosovo passport under the name of Rifat Muric. According to the paper, the passport bears the seal of the civil registry in Lipjan/Lipjane municipality. Unidentified sources told the paper that Kalic stayed in Kosovo until his passport was ready. Kalic then reportedly used the passport to travel to Europe. He was arrested on Monday evening in Austria.