Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, in an interview with the Germany-based Handelsblatt said that Kosovo’s membership in the European Union and NATO is an irreversible way. “The European Commission has called on the EU to sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo and this is the best evidence that Kosovo has met the criteria set by Brussels for the SAA,” Thaci said. According to him, Kosovo had to meet many more criteria than the countries of the region in order to be granted visa liberalization.

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said that there were certain persons from the Kosovo delegation that wanted to join that of Serbia during the 17 June meeting in Brussels where the issue of Mitrovica barricades was discussed. However, Mustafa said this was not allowed. “Goran Rakic was part of the Kosovo’s not Serbia’s team”, said Mustafa. He said that it is Brussels that sets the rules and people from Kosovo can only be part of the Pristina delegation. “We didn’t have persons from the north part of the delegation before, but now we do”, said Mustafa.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader and Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaci, has reportedly secured the support of his MPs to vote in favor of the formation of the special court. The Kosovo Assembly is expected to vote on the constitutional amendments next week. Sources from the meeting of the PDK parliamentary group today told the paper that Thaci threatened he would resign the post of party leader of his MPs don’t vote in favor of the special court.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Xhavit Haliti, writes in an opinion piece today that Kosovo’s future was put into question by two major events: the political stalemate and the special court. “The six-month political stalemate after the elections last year left our international friends worried for Kosovo. After that, the rejection of the special court also affected Kosovo’s relationship with the international community. The representatives of the European Union and the United States have asked Kosovo directly to establish the special court.

The government of Kosovo in the next few weeks will sign a financial agreement IPA 2014 with the European Commission in value of 70 million €, which would be programmed by the Ministry of European Integration. This agreement, according to the representatives of the government, Kosovo would benefit from this agreement in many developmental sectors.  European Integration Minister Bekim Collaku said that through this agreement, Kosovo would benefit the European Union best practices in improving services and increasing capacities in different sectors.

Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) veterans said in a press conference that their position against the establishment of the specialized chambers remains unchanged. They said that if Kosovo does not establish it, neither can the UN Security Council for the fact it has not recognised Kosovo as an independent country. Veterans called on all those who oppose the specialized chambers to join them tomorrow from 9.30 in front of the Kosovo Assembly building.

Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) Bilall Sherifi in an opinion piece published in Zeri and several online media writes that since the end of the conflict in Kosovo, prosecution of war crimes was an exclusive competency of international missions in Kosovo. Initially, it was UNMIK that investigated and tried war crimes until 2008 when this responsibility was handed over to EULEX.

Reporters Without Borders monitor for Kosovo Ismet Hajdari, in an open letter writes that the lynching campaign that is going on through social networks against publicist Veton Surroi, has caused great concern to Reporters Without Borders organization.

Xhavit Haliti, the Deputy President of the Kosovo Assembly and senior member of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), argues in an opinion piece that the special court, which will address war crimes allegedly committed by former members of the Kosovo Liberation Army, “will put an end to the fabrications and doubts, it will free many people from anxiety and I hope it will confirm the truth on the matter”. Haliti further notes that he understands the motivation behind those who reject the establishment of the special court. “The sensitivities are present and legitimate.

• Opposition to use protests and political actions against special court (Koha)
• Zbogar: Economic development, crucial for Kosovo (dailies)
• Nishani: Albanians are existential factor in Macedonia (Koha)
• Selimi calls for support for Kosovo’s UNESCO membership (Zeri)
• Special war in Presevo Valley (Zeri)