Headlines - 12.04.2016

AAK, NISMA ready for coalition with PDK (Epoka e Re)

The leaders of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, and that of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), Fatmir Limaj, do not exclude the possibility of a future coalition with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). Haradinaj and Limaj said that the do not have red lines regarding cooperation with the PDK. Haradinaj expressed readiness to communicate with the leadership of the PDK in order to overcome the current situation in Kosovo. “Mr. Thaci is no longer the leader of the party and perhaps the new leadership of PDK and the new leader together with the leaders of the other political parties should find ways to communicate with each other in order to go for new elections. He added that no one has the luxury not to reflect at the current difficult political situation. “Major responsibilities belong to Thaci and the PDK be it because it is the biggest party or as because it governed Kosovo since the independence,” Haradinaj said.

PDK, LDK deny possibility of a bigger coalition (Lajmi)

Senior officials of the governing parties claim that delays to the nominations of officials to vacant positions in the government and to reshuffling the government are not related to widening of the coalition. Officials of the Democratic League of Kosovo say that fulfilment of these positions has remained hostage to the convention of the Democratic Party of Kosovo. While PDK promises that nominations will happen before the 7 May convention, LDK’s deputy leader, Haki Demolli, said that the current coalition will continue without undergoing any changes and that widening of the coalition or inclusion of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo was never discussed at the party. PDK’s secretary, Basri Musmurati, denied the possibility of wider coalition as well.

PDK too wants elections (Zeri)

The paper reports in a front-page story that several MPs from the ruling-coalition parties are also supporting the opposition in their demand for early elections. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Nait Hasani, said Kosovo should go to early elections to resolve the political crisis. Hasani said elections should happen because the government has not fulfilled the promises given in the election campaign. "The government didn’t prove to be a serious institution,” Hasani said. Political analysts say the PDK is itself interested in early elections, since the PDK hopes it would come out as winners. Kosovo government Spokesperson Arban Abrashi said elections are not an option, and that the current government will continue until 2018.

Limaj: Kosovo needs a powerful alternative (Epoka e Re)

Leader of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) Fatmir Limaj said in an interview for Radio Free Europe that there are differences in views between the opposition bloc parties regarding a joint election list but that the issue is still being discussed. He said Vetevendosje is the largest opposition party and as such needs to be more flexible and unifying than NISMA and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK). “What I can say is that the country needs a political realignment. The country needs a powerful alternative and I believe there will be one very soon,” said Limaj.

Closed dialogue between gov’t and opposition to continue until June (Koha)

The closed discussions between the ruling parties and one part of the opposition, initiated by the Balkans Group, will continue until June this year when a final report with findings and recommendations is expected to be published, the paper reports on page three. Topics that are discussed in these political forums, and which are kept away from the media, include: the reestablishment of political dialogue, the “reassessment” of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro and the agreement with Serbia on the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities, election reforms and the review of the regulation on the work of the Kosovo Assembly.

Changes in government will affect only three positions (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that changes in the Kosovo government will affect only three positions. Government officials did not want to comment on the process, but sources told the paper that the process will affect only three positions that are left vacant after Hashim Thaci has taken over the post of President and that there will be no government reshuffling as reported earlier. The paper further notes that Hajredin Kuci will leave the Ministry of Justice to take up the post of Principal Deputy Prime Minister and he will be replaced by Gani Koci as Minister of Justice. Enver Hoxhaj will lead the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Collaku: Decision on visa liberalization to come soon (Zeri)

The European Commission is expected to propose the abolition of visas for Ukraine and Georgia within this month, while it is still unknown if this will happen for Kosovo as well. Media reported yesterday that Kosovo may not be included in this process, but this was denied by the Minister of European Integration Bekim Collaku. “It is true that the European Commission has already given the legal recommendation for visa liberalization for Georgia. European Commission officials announced that by end of April, such a thing may happen for Ukraine as well,” Collaku said. He added that Kosovo is no exception because the EC has consistently stated that Kosovo will receive the recommendation if all the remaining criteria are fulfilled. “Kosovo has met all criteria except for ratification of the agreement with Montenegro. I am confident that Kosovo will receive the recommendation for visa liberalization,” Collaku said.

Freedom House: Kosovo’s state-building gridlocked (RTK)

In a new report, Freedom House claims that the state-building process in Kosovo is “gridlocked” and that the government structures, established to maintain peace, are hindering progress. According to the report, political and economic stalemate is also increasing the people’s anger. The US-based watchdog organization gave Kosovo a score of 5.07 on the democratic progress compared to 5.14 from last year. The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 1 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 7 the lowest.

Tahiri: Serbia abused agreement for normalization (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo’s Minister for Dialogue, Edita Tahiri, assessed that Serbian senior officials have misused the agreement for normalization of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia by making nationalist statements during their visits in Kosovo. In an interview for the paper, Tahiri said that she will present this issue at the next meetings with the EU officials. She said that Serbia’s elections will not be held in Kosovo as that there is no legal or political ground for this. Tahiri stressed that at this phase, dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia will focus exclusively on implementation of the reached agreements.

Seselj planning visit to Kosovo today (Kosovapress)

The Serbian Radical Party has announced it will hold a rally today in the north of Mitrovica while the media in Belgrade report that the nationalist politician Vojislav Seselj is also expected to be in attendance and even address the crowd. At the same time, acting Foreign Minister of Kosovo Petrit Selimi warned Seselj would be arrested if he enters Kosovo. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not permitted his visit and it is now up to the law enforcement authorities to act,” said Selimi. The rally in Mitrovica North is set to begin at 12.00 hrs.

Vucic: We don’t interfere in Serbian List decisions (Zeri/Klan Kosova)

Serbia Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said yesterday he doesn’t interfere in the daily or individual decisions of the Serbian List, nor on the issue whether the Serbian List will abandon Kosovo Assembly or not. He added that Kosovo Serbs have the support of Belgrade and that without any doubt Serbia is their country.

Serbian government builds settlement for Serbs in Kosovo (Koha)

Marko Djuric, head of the Serbian government’s office for Kosovo, said on Monday that the Serbian government has started building a settlement for Kosovo Serbs in an area between Mitrovica and Zvecan. The project, which includes 300 modern houses, will serve to accommodate 1,200-1,500 Serbs that fled Kosovo after the conflict.