Headlines - 27.09.2018

• Thaci: US supports Kosovo-Serbia agreement (RTK/Zeri)
• Stoltenberg: NATO will continue to support Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo FM Pacolli makes “scandalous” remarks in New York (Koha Ditore)
• UN: Kosovo leaders are privately in New York (Bota Sot)
• Kurti: Serbia’s path to EU passes through Pristina (Koha Ditore)
• Delawie: Key to Kosovo’s future in hands of its citizens and leaders (RTK)
• Hoxhaj: Opposition not serious, they do not have the votes for motion (media)
• Hoti to Hoxhaj: You are harming trust between government and opposition (Epoka)
• KLA veterans warn of violent protests (Zeri)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Thaci: US supports Kosovo-Serbia agreement (RTK/Zeri)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci said that the US President Donald Trump told him in their meeting that Kosovo is a wonderful country with wonderful people and that he knows the problems it is facing. Thaci said that in his meetings with the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, he received firm support for Kosovo in its journey to NATO and establishment of Kosovo armed forces in full coordination with the US and NATO. Thaci also said the US strongly supports dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. “The US gave clear confirmation of the support and commitment in case of an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia which could include border demarcation and light border correction that would end century-long hatred between Kosovo and Serbia,” Thaci told RTK. Zeri meanwhile reports that Thaci did not in fact meet the US President Trump but, as per tradition, he only had a photo opportunity with him and the first lady.

Stoltenberg: NATO will continue to support Kosovo (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj and the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci, met in New York with the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. They discussed political situation in Kosovo and the region, progress reached in Kosovo, with a special focus on transition of the Kosovo Security Force into Armed Forces, as a multiethnic, professional force in accordance with NATO standards. PM Haradinaj requested from Stoltenberg and the institution he leads, support in the transition process of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into Armed Forces, saying that this would contribute to a more sustainable security of the region. NATO General Secretary said NATO will offer support to Kosovo in the future.

Kosovo FM Pacolli makes “scandalous” remarks in New York (Koha Ditore)

The paper writes that Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli has made some ‘scandalous’ comments whilst in New York for the UN General Assembly. In an interview with a Serbian TV he is reported to have said that there should be no border between Kosovo and Serbia and that the people of Kosovo are ready to make peace with Serbia. “There is a great need for peace between our peoples. They once lived together and I see a tendency they still wish to do so. Instead of placing borders, we should aim to remove them,” Pacolli said. Chair of the Kosovo Assembly foreign affairs committee, Vjosa Osmani, said they will invite Pacolli to report to MPs about his comments in New York.

UN: Kosovo leaders are privately in New York (Bota Sot)

UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko has refuted reports that Kosovo leaders – Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, President Hashim Thaci and Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli – have been invited to take part in the General Assembly sessions. “If they are in New York, they could be here privately not for the UN General Assembly works,” Kaneko said.

Kurti: Serbia’s path to EU passes through Pristina (Koha Ditore)

Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti said in a mobilizing meeting for this week’s protest that the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci is trying to convince the citizens that Kosovo’s path to the EU goes through Belgrade when in fact the opposite is correct. “Serbia’s path to European Union passes through Pristina. Chapter 35 stipulates Serbia’s dependence on Kosovo,” Kurti said. He added that Kosovo has leverage towards Serbia which has failed to be used by previous governments. This advantage according to Kurti includes Kosovo’s half-a-billion market to which Serbia exports, Serbia’s integration to EU which he said depends on Kosovo and reciprocity in human rights for Albanian community in Serbia.

Delawie: Key to Kosovo’s future in hands of its citizens and leaders (RTK)

The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delawie took to Twitter to write that the key to Kosovo’s future is in the hands of its citizens and leaders. “I’m leaving the key to my twitter account in the capable hands of Chargé d'Affaires Colleen Hyland. And, of course, the key to Kosovo’s future is in the hands of its citizens and leaders—I look forward to seeing the bright future you all create. Thank you and farewell,” Delawie wrote.

Hoxhaj: Opposition not serious, they do not have the votes for motion (media)

Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj said opposition political parties are making noise about the crucial issues for Kosovo for internal profit. He told Klan Kosova that opposition political parties do not have sufficient votes for a motion of distrust, and accused these parties for taking a position against the European Union.

Hoti to Hoxhaj: You are harming trust between government and opposition (Epoka)

Avdullah Hoti, caucus of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) assessed accusations of the Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj who said that Kosovo’s opposition political parties said no to liberalization of visas for Kosovo citizens, as naïve and ungrounded. “Naïve and ungrounded accusations of Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj affect seriously the trust between the government and opposition on the only matter that we gave unreserved support,” Hoti wrote on his Facebook account. “As opposition, we have supported reforms and agreements between Kosovo and EU, which derive from the SAA. We as opposition called for an extraordinary session for the agreements deriving from SAA and voted them all,” he added.

KLA veterans warn of violent protests (Zeri)

Former Kosovo Liberation Army veterans from the Dukagjini region protested yesterday in front of the Justice Palace demanding changes to the law on KLA veterans and sanctions for those responsible for publishing lists of “fake” KLA members. Avdyl Mushkolaj, one of the organisers, said Kosovo justice was persecuting veterans despite all the sacrifices they have made for its freedom. He said they are ready to fight in case Kosovo’s territory is undermined and they continue to be insulted by Kosovo institutions.