Dalibor Jevtic, Minister for Returns and Communities in the Kosovo Government, said today that Kosovo Serbs do not support the idea of forming the Army of Kosovo, “because this was never part of the coalition agreement between the PDK, LDK and the Serbian List”. Jevtic argued that the funds that would be used for the army should be used for opening a factory. He did not say when the Serbian List could return to the Kosovo institutions and also called for the immediate formation of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities.

Speaking about the initiative of President Hashim Thaci to set up a Kosovo army through amending the current law on the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP, Anton Quni, said his party would prefer the transformation to be done though constitutional changes. “We prefer the KSF transformation not to be disputed by any NATO skeptic,” Quni said adding that LDK would want the Kosovo army to have the support of strategic partners and be able to take part in NATO peacekeeping operations.

Head of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) parliamentary group of, Ismet Beqiri stated at today’s Assembly session that Kosovo  institutions demonstrated maturity and institutional acting during Serbia’s two recent provocations, the wall and the train.

 Deputy Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Haki Rugova, said that continuous provocations from the Serbian state could be avoided only by political wisdom and cooperation between the government and opposition.  He said that support of the international friends is also required. He praised PM Mustafa for managing the situation with the train from Serbia.

In an interview for Bota Sot daily newspaper, LDK deputy leader and Gjilan Mayor, Lutfi Haziri, said delays in ratifying the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, as a result of the actions of the opposition and certain MPs, are obstructing the political life in Kosovo. “They [the MPs] are obliged to coordinate within their party structures and as representatives of the people to play their role and conclude the process. It is unforgivable for Kosovo not to get visa liberalisation as a result of the actions of certain MPs, including some from the LDK.

Several news websites report that the Kosovo Assembly has decided to discuss on Friday the recently-built wall in Mitrovica North. Pal Lekaj, head of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) parliamentary group, initially suggested that the wall should be discussed today but later agreed for discussions to be held on Friday. Assembly President, Kadri Veseli, said he agrees with Prime Minister Isa Mustafa’s proposal to discuss the matter on Friday.

Kosovo Assembly MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said that inhibition of an international investigation on Astrit Dehari’s death is unforgivable. She said that everyone is responsible, and added that the case should not be politicized. “We are representatives of the population, not diplomats. If hundreds of murders have remained unresolved until now, we should request to work together for Astrit Dehari’s case to become symbol of this country,” Osmani said.

Head of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) parliamentary group, Ismet Beqiri, said in the Assembly that Vetevendosje has used the death of its activist, Astrit Dehari, for political gains. Beqiri claimed that while everyone has the right to demand justice, Dehari’s case should not be politicized. “It is unacceptable how this case has been politically used by Vetevendosje,” Beqiri said adding that everyone should wait for the justice to run its course.

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP, Shukri Buja, said in an interview with Tribuna Channel that spring next year is the ideal time for early local and national elections. Buja is adamant that the PDK should break up its coalition with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), “because this coalition was not right since the beginning”. Buja also said he voted against sending the 2017 draft budget to the Assembly, “because it contains many mistakes”.

Kosovo Assembly MP from the Serbian List, said during an extensive interview for lajmi.net that his party does not have a stance on creation of the army of Kosovo. He considers that this issue is not a priority. “We are far from any kind of discussions and there are absolutely minor chances to have discussions regarding the army in the future.