The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said that full commitment of his government to focus on economic development, has given and it will continue to give powerful results.
Citing the figures of the World Bank, Mustafa said that economic growth in Kosovo during 2015 has reached 3.6 percent.
The third-largest opposition party, Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), endorsed the proposal of the presidency party of announcing internal elections. In the coming months, elections will take place in the party’s branches while the main convention is set to be held in June.
Thomas Gnocchi from the EU’s Office in Kosovo said today in Pristina that the violence and boycott of the Assembly do not make Kosovo more independent or bring it closer to the EU. He said the opposition parties should rejoin political life as their absence in the Assembly damages the functioning of Kosovo and goes against European practices. At the same time, Gnocchi called on the ruling coalition parties to insist on establishing a sincere dialogue with the opposition. “Kosovo has no time to lose,” he said.
Despite the security measures taken by the police during the inauguration ceremony of President Hashim Thaci, unknown individuals released several canisters of teargas near Skenderbeu square where the ceremony took place. Kosovo Police arrested five individuals connected to the incident. In a press release, the Vetevendosje movement claimed responsibility for the incident. “Hashim Thaci is not and never will be President of the Republic of Kosovo. He was elected as a result of blackmail and compromises.
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Nait Hasani, said yesterday that the ruling-coalition achieved its goal by electing Hashim Thaci as Kosovo President, and that now they can discuss early elections. He also said the opposition must discuss this issue with President Thaci now. “Thaci can declare early elections and all political parties should meet and discuss this matter,” Hasani said.
Vetevendosje activists today threw stones at the Kosovo Assembly building as new President Hashim Thaci’s was being sworn in. Kosovo Police arrested two individuals related to this incident. Vetevendosje Movement through a press release claimed responsibility for the incident. “Two Vetevendosje activists, Egzon Balaj and Atdhe Arifi were arrested today during the Assembly’s solemn session. Vetevendosje does not recognize Hashim Thaci as Kosovo President and for this matter our activists tried to impede the session,” reads the press release.
Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama during his visit to Kosovo today met with Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa. Rama and Mustafa discussed the latest developments in the region. After the meeting, Rama said Hashim Thaci’s election as Kosovo President is the most positive thing that is happening in Kosovo. Rama is also expected to meet other Kosovo officials during the day.
A group of experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during a visit identified a number of risks to the Kosovo budget. The experts concluded that the rapid expansion in spending related to various schemes, especially war-related benefits, is putting an increasing pressure on the budget and undermining the authorities’ efforts to maintain fiscal stability while creating space for capital projects and other priority spending.
Kosovo’s Minister for European Integration, Bekim Collaku, said in a meeting today with a delegation from the German Bundestag that Kosovo has fulfilled all necessary criteria for visa liberalization and expects a corresponding decision from the EU on the matter. Collaku also spoke about Germany’s support for Kosovo’s European integration agenda.
Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, today while commenting on the decision of the Constitutional Court to declare as inadmissible opposition’s request to contest the election of Kosovo President, said he knew that the Constitutional Court would give this answer, because, according to him, there was no violation in the presidential election process.