Headlines - 19.11.2014

Thaci calls for a multiethnic government (Kosova Sot)

Kosovo Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, said on Tuesday that the new government of Kosovo must be multiethnic. Thaci wrote on his Facebook account about the priorities of the new government, highlighting economic development, new jobs, continuation of dialogue with Serbia and the fight against corruption. “Allow me to stress again that the new institutions of Kosovo should have strong legitimacy from the people and multiethnic involvement. Furthermore, we should have a clear agenda for economic development, creation of new jobs, continuation of dialogue and implementation of all agreements reached in Brussels, efficiency in the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime, uncompromised battle against all kinds of extremisms, as well as continuing to implement thorough reforms that are required for integration in NATO and the European Union,” Thaci wrote.

PDK starts bargaining with AAK (Zeri)

The paper reports on the front page that Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) representatives held secret meetings on Tuesday with officials of the Haradinaj-led Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) over a coalition government. “The PDK has now focused all its energies in reaching an agreement with one of the parties of the coalition bloc. We are meeting people from the LDK and also from the AAK from whom we have received positive signals for an agreement. I believe that we will reach this partnership by the end of the week,” an unidentified senior PDK official told the paper.

LDK open for PDK (Tribuna)

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is expected to decide today which way it will go: whether it will join the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) or remain with the post-election bloc, the paper reports on the front page. The party’s Council is to meet today and rather than discuss aspects of each coalition, it will only focus on whether the LDK should join any coalition that offers it the post of prime minister. This way, the paper adds, LDK will open up to a coalition with PDK, that is, if the latter gives up the prime minister’s post.

Serbian List is waiting for Albanian political parties (Kosova Sot)

Aleksandar Jablanovic, leader of the Serbian List, said on Tuesday that they have not contacted any of the two political blocs that are trying to form the new government. “The problem rests with Albanian political parties. We are waiting for them to come to an agreement,” said Jablanovic. An earlier position of the Serbian List was not to be part of a government that would include the Vetevendosje Movement.

Jacobson: Justice should be impartial (Tribuna)

US Ambassador to Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson, said that the rule of law and an effective judicial system which the citizens trust is important for all people of Kosovo and European integration. “There is still a great deal to be done”, said Jacobson adding that judiciary in Kosovo should be accountable, free of pressure and impartial. Jacobson made the comments in a debate part of the “Justice and citizens” campaign.

Tahiri: Serb officials’ visits only with permission from the state (Epoka e Re)

Edita Tahiri, the outgoing Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo and head of technical discussions with Serbia, rejected on Tuesday claims made by Serbia’s liaison officer in Pristina, Dejan Pavicevic, who said that Serbian officials would no longer need permission from authorities in Pristina to visit Kosovo. “Visits by Serbian officials to Kosovo can take place only with permission or approval from the state of Kosovo,” Tahiri said. She also said that Kosovo and Serbian delegations on Friday reached an agreement with mediation from the EU, which foresees for liaison offices in Belgrade and Pristina to administer the visits of respective state officials.

Kosovar delegation with requests in Belgrade (Kosova Sot)

A delegation from Kosovo is visiting Belgrade where it is expected to meet with Serbian officials on the issue of missing persons. At the meeting, the Kosovo delegation will request the start of exhumations at a new location in the Raska region.