Headlines - 05.11.2018

• Haradinaj: Border correction spells partition of Kosovo (Zeri)
• Mustafa: Border correction means partition (Bota Sot)
• EU diplomats: Uncertainties over a possible solution were never greater (Koha)
• Hoxhaj: If EU hesitates on visas, why should we trust it for dialogue (media)
• Kosovo MFA: EU to immediately caution Serbia (Zeri)
• Brnabic: We are not close to agreement with Kosovo (media)
• Canadian Ambassador to Serbia: Border correction is not a logical step (media)
• Increased number of countries that hesitate to adopt visa liberalization (RFE)
• KFOR in Dumnica following reports of Serbian police sightings (Indeksonline)

Haradinaj: Border correction spells partition of Kosovo (Zeri)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj said at a meeting with youth from his party, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), that the notion of ‘border correction’ is simply a cover-up for partition of Kosovo. “I don’t believe in an agreement on border correction, demarcation, exchange of territories…these all translate into partition of Kosovo,” Haradinaj said.

Mustafa: Border correction means partition (Bota Sot)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Isa Mustafa, said in an interview with the paper that the border correction idea means partition of Kosovo and such a solution would not be right for Kosovo or Presevo Valley. “Kosovo has declared independence on these borders, has received international recognition and the positive opinion of the International Court of Justice,” Mustafa said adding that LDK will not allow opening of Kosovo’s statehood issue. Speaking about dialogue with Serbia, Mustafa said the process cannot be led by President Hashim Thaci. “Kosovo is a parliamentary country and the dialogue should be led by the government. However, the current government does not represent the majority,” Mustafa said.

EU diplomats: Uncertainties over a possible solution were never greater (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that according to some EU diplomats in Brussels EU High Representative Federica “Mogherini and her office” are working behind the back of some member states, especially those that are against ideas for border changes between Kosovo and Serbia. Many diplomats of EU member states reportedly told the paper that they have “no idea what is being discussed as a solution” but some of them are speculating that Mogherini’s office, in cooperation with “some American circles”, have already drafted an agreement, which Presidents Thaci and Vucic are willing to accept with some modifications. According to the same diplomats, Germany is opposing this idea and there are efforts “to isolate Germany”. Another unnamed diplomat told the paper: “the position of the President [Thaci] is clear to us, so is the position of the Prime Minister [Haradinaj]. One is in favor and the other is against border changes. But we are not certain what is the position of Assembly President Veseli. According to our information, in his meetings with officials of members states, he opposes the idea of border changes, but in Kosovo he does not act the same way”.

Hoxhaj: If EU hesitates on visas, why should we trust it for dialogue (media)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, said if there is hesitation among the EU regarding lifting the visa regime to Kosovo, why should Kosovo have faith in the EU when it comes to the dialogue with Serbia. “If the EU and member states cannot deliver on their promises, why should be believe they can dictate the will of Serbia for recognising Kosovo,” Hoxhaj said in a Facebook post. Hoxhaj said Kosovo has fulfilled all criteria for visa liberalisation and the EU promised free movement once these conditions are met.

Kosovo MFA: EU to immediately caution Serbia (Zeri)

Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the EU ought to caution Serbia for its “destructive actions” and “double standards” it is applying towards Kosovo with regards to recognising and non-recognising countries and manipulating the dialogue for normalisation of relations. All these acts, according to MFA, are aimed at committing “diplomatic aggression” towards Kosovo’s sovereignty and its international image.

Brnabic: We are not close to agreement with Kosovo (media)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said in an interview to Financial Times that Serbia and Kosovo are very far from a comprehensive peace agreement. “Personally, I would like to see an agreement as soon as possible. But I don’t think that in reality we are close to an agreement,” she said. Brnabic said Kosovo’s leaders are wrong to believe that dialogue with Belgrade will result in Serbia’s formal recognition of Kosovo’s independence. “They need to leave their comfortable position and met us somewhere along the way. Let us reach a compromise, regardless of what this compromise can entail,” she said.

Canadian Ambassador to Serbia: Border correction is not a logical step (media)

The Canadian Ambassador to Serbia, Kati Csaba, said in an interview to Blic that her country strongly supports dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, but that it doesn’t view the idea for border correction as the best possible solution. “We hope this process [dialogue] will end as soon as possible. As far as demarcation is concerned, from the standpoint of someone that comes from a multicultural country based on diversity, we don’t think that ethnic borders are the best possible solution for an agreement. From our side, we have great benefits from diversity. We see this is a driving force and we will encourage all countries in the region to apply the same approach,” Csaba said.

Increased number of countries that hesitate to adopt visa liberalization (RFE)

The news agency quotes commentators of European integration processes in Pristina as saying that there is a growing number of EU member states that are hesitant to adopt visa liberalization for Kosovo. They argue that the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium are among the countries that are hesitating to make a positive decision on visa liberalization.

KFOR in Dumnica following reports of Serbian police sightings (Indeksonline)

Indeksonline reports that a day after its reports that Serbian Gendarmerie troops were sighted near the village of Dumnica, KFOR’s US and Polish troops were seen patrolling the area. KFOR said they were looking into media reports that Serb troops crossed over to the Kosovo side.