• Hahn: Kosovo, Serbia must see EU rewards investments in compromise (media)
• EU Council disappointing for Kosovo: No visas, tariff to be lifted ASAP (Klan)
• Former U.S. army commander in Europe calls for new approach on Kosovo (KP)
• Kosovo has no dilemma about Paris summit (Radio Free Europe)
• War crimes amnesty would undo Specialist Chambers (Koha Ditore)
• LDK won’t agree to bring down government with Serbian List votes (RTK)
• Ahmeti wants guarantees that Mustafa won’t enter coalition with PDK (KTV)
• Xhaferi: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to end in mutual recognition (Bota Sot)
• Apostolova: Public administration reform, necessary (Zeri)
• Scott: Balkan political leaders should leave nationalist rhetoric aside (Epoka)
• Law on government to be adopted this year (Epoka)
• Civil society activists accuse PDK security staff of attack (media)

Hahn: Kosovo, Serbia must see EU rewards investments in compromise (media)

EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said on ahead of the EU Council meeting that political compromise in the Western Balkans must be rewarded. As the EU Council could postpone the decision for accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania, Hahn called on EU ministers to speed up talks with North Macedonia as soon as possible because this would send a very important message to the entire region.

“If there is movement in the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, they need to see that investments in reaching a political compromise will be rewarded. Otherwise it won’t have any impact. Everyone needs to understand that giving a signal to a country is in the interest of the whole region,” he added.

EU Council disappointing for Kosovo: No visas, tariff to be lifted ASAP (Klan)

The news website reports that the EU Council conclusions on Kosovo are very harsh and critical of the Kosovo government and the road that Kosovo is following toward European integration. Among the key points on Kosovo that will be adopted in today’s meeting of the Council are that “the decision on the proposal for visa liberalization is currently under consideration by the Council”, “the conclusion without further delay of the agreement with Serbia, under the facilitation of the High Representative, is crucial so that Kosovo and Serbia can advance on their respective European paths” and that “the 100 percent import tariff on Serbian goods must be lifted immediately”.

Former U.S. army commander in Europe calls for new approach on Kosovo (KP)

Kosovapress quoted former U.S. army commander in Europe, Ben Hodges, saying the U.S. needs to adopt a new approach on resolving the Kosovo issue. According to Hodges, a new approach would spell a greater role of the U.S. in the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, an undertaking based on the model of the Dayton Peace Accord and the appointment of a chief envoy, a high-level diplomat like Richard Holbrooke was.

Speaking about the role of the U.S., Hodges said it could be decisive in the region if the implementation of a strategic, comprehensive agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, integrated well with EU and NATO efforts, protects them from internal and external pressures and provides hope for reaching very difficult but necessary compromises. “This would however be possible only if we demonstrate the same level of engagement like during the negotiations of the Dayton Peace Accord, before IFOR and SFOR troops, which ultimately led to an imperfect peace but sustainable in the Western Balkans,” Hodges is quoted to have said in a blog.

Kosovo has no dilemma about Paris summit (Radio Free Europe)

Kosovo government officials told the news agency on Monday that they will make all the necessary preparations for the upcoming summit in Paris scheduled for July 1^st. Kosovo’s deputy foreign minister, Enver Hoxhaj, said that a visit by French and German diplomats to Pristina and Belgrade, some three weeks ago, was aimed at preparing both sides for the meeting in Paris.

Hoxhaj also said that contrary to Serbian authorities, Kosovo has no dilemma whether the summit will be held. “This is up to the organizers of the summit. We need to be best prepared for the meeting in Paris, to have principles and have measurable expectations in line with a strategic document. We need to look into a list of topics that we can table in Paris and what is the best way to defend Kosovo’s state interests. I have the impression that there is genuine coordination between the U.S. and the EU and that there can be a new dynamic in the process,” he said.

Hoxhaj also said that despite statements by officials in Belgrade, Kosovo has never rejected dialogue. “We view dialogue as a tool that serves the normalization of relations between the two countries and above all as an opportunity to conclude Kosovo’s state-building process”.

War crimes amnesty would undo Specialist Chambers (Koha Ditore)

The paper reports that while Kosovo has launched initiative for creation of a tribunal for war crimes Serbian forces committed in Kosovo, the office of the president has not yet clarified whether it still considers including an amnesty provision for war crimes in the final agreement with Serbia.

Koha Ditore recalls that when it initially reported on plans to have amnesty for war crimes included in the agreement with Serbia a year ago, the office of President Hashim Thaci did not comment, same as the office of Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj.

For political analyst Krenar Shala confirmed that the amnesty for war crimes was mentioned as a possible part of the agreement but said he believed the idea, like that about border correction, is likely to fail. “Simply because this would restrict the scope of activity of the Specialist Chambers in The Hague,” Shala said.

At the same time, the U.S. Balkans analyst Daniel Serwer said presidents of Kosovo and Serbia have agreed on amnesty and can’t wait to sign the agreement at the “Rose Field” as promised by the U.S. President Donald Trump. “It is absolutely clear to me, although nothing has publicly come out, that one of the issues they agreed to is immunity from criminal prosecution. I am not enthusiastic about these types of deals,” Serwer said.

LDK won’t agree to bring down government with Serbian List votes (RTK)

Lutfi Haziri, deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) told RTK that his political party does not accept initiation of bringing down the government with the votes of the Serbian List. “Up to date, we have not accepted votes of the Serbian List to bring down the government. We do not have those votes in our motion. LDK, Vetvendosje and PSD have representatives of the Albanian political majority at the Assembly, and they are part of the current motion. We must work also with other political groups of the majority in order to reach voting of the motion. After the reach of 61 (votes), everyone has the right to vote,” Haziri said.

Speaking about the Serbian List Haziri said “we should not dare allow political centers outside Kosovo dictate building or bring down our governments.”

Ahmeti wants guarantees that Mustafa won’t enter coalition with PDK (KTV)

Shpend Ahmeti, leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) said that he is willing to bring down the government today, however, he added that during the coordinating meeting with the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Isa Mustafa, he has set a red line.

Ahmeti said he requested good opposition coordination and guarantees from LDK that they would not end up in a coalition with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). Ahmeti however added that he has not seen cooperation the following day when he saw caucuses of LDK and Vetevendosje agreed on the text of the motion to bring the government down.

Xhaferi: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to end in mutual recognition (Bota Sot)

North Macedonia Speaker of the Assembly, Talat Xhaferi, said in an interview with the paper that it is up to Kosovo and its citizens to define positions on open issues with Serbia and formulate appropriate agenda.

“These efforts have been taking place in Brussels for years now and we know the obstacles in communication but above all, it [dialogue] should end in an agreement for mutual recognition,” he said adding: “I don’t want to downplay what Serbia has done in Kosovo in any way, but reconciliation needs to happen through an agreement acceptable for both sides.”

Apostolova: Public administration reform, necessary (Zeri)

Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Nataliya Apostolova, said that the public administration reform may be painful but is necessary as it can threaten Kosovo’s budget. Speaking at the “Fol Hapur” (Speak Openly) debate, Apostolova said Kosovo has a large number of public servants and noted that the EU has proposed a system it believes will work for Kosovo.

Scott: Balkan political leaders should leave nationalist rhetoric aside (Epoka)

The U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Kyle Scott stated on Monday that “the status quo in Balkans is not sustainable and that all are losing due to the halt of negotiations. “They believe that better conditions are going to come to negotiate a more favorable agreement, they should know that there is not a better momentum than this one,” Scott wrote on his Twitter account.

He said political leaders should leave aside nationalist rhetoric and historic revisions, as they open wounds of the survivors and prevent progress on reaching a transparent, democratic and responsible government.

Law on government to be adopted this year (Epoka)

Kosovo’s national coordinator for state reforms Besnik Tahiri told the paper that the Law on government will be adopted this year. According to him, this Law will not allow more than 15 ministries, 30 deputy ministers and there will be no deputy prime ministers without portfolio. Tahiri said this law will improve efficiency and functionality of the government.

Speaking about state reforms, Tahiri said every reform is painful and added that the reform will not be in favor of the political parties which lead with the government. He added that the government considers the reform of state administration to be its main priority.

Civil society activists accuse PDK security staff of attack (media)

Media report that a group of civil society activists protesting in Pristina yesterday over the draft law for financing of political parties were attacked by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) security staff as they were trying to put up placards at the party’s fence.

Ismet Kryeziu from the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) said they condemn the force used by the PDK and called on the party to assume responsibility. “The civil society demands measures and firm position from the PDK over the violent actions of its staff,” Kryeziu told a press conference.

Meanwhile, PDK issued a statement expressing regret over the incident saying the whole situation was a “misunderstanding”. “PDK security staff reacted as per their duties as they were not informed beforehand about such an activity thus leading to a misunderstanding regarding purpose of the crowd gathered in front of the HQ,” the party said. PDK added that it considers the protests to be a legitimate right of everyone.

Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Nataliya Apostolova, also reacted to the yesterday’s incident. “Regrettable scenes at peaceful protest in #Pristina today. Freedom of assembly and of expression fundamental democratic rights which must be guaranteed and protected at all times. Apology is welcome but such scenes have no place in a democracy,” she wrote on Twitter.