Headlines - 19.08.2016

Thaçi: Let us fulfill international obligations (media)

The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, address the people of Kosovo on Thursday regarding all political, economic and security developments in Kosovo. Through a video recording, which lasted around nine minutes, Thaçi said that it is very important to make the right political decision at the current political and institutional crossroad. “Kosovo currently has two options: integration or isolation,” Thaçi said. “Vote to reconfirm our geo-strategic orientation and partnership with the United States of America, west European allies and our vision for Euro-Atlantic integrations. Do not sacrifice your and Kosovo’s future for the sake of daily party interests,” Thaçi said. “On the day of the vote on the ratification of the demarcation agreement with Montenegro, you should know that a great historic responsibility will rest on your shoulders … Any delay of ratification by the Kosovo Assembly undermines Kosovo’s European future,” Thaçi is quoted as saying in Koha Ditore.

Ymeri: Thaci wants to revive the Association (Koha)

Vetëvendosje leader, Visar Ymeri, reacted following President Hashim Thaçi’s address, saying that this is “a campaign of pressure on members of parliament to ratify the demarcation”. “He also wants to revive the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities] … He is not the President of Kosovo. He links giving away 8,200 hectares with international isolation, European integration and NATO membership, with the formation of the Kosovo Army and whatnot. But his only concern is himself. He is not the head of the state or the leader of the people,” Ymeri added.

Mustafa insists on ratification of current version of demarcation (Epoka)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa, wrote on Thursday on his Facebook page that that the United States of America support Kosovo unreservedly. He added that the U.S. support would be even more powerful if Kosovo fulfills its obligations related to the demarcation of the border with Montenegro. He also noted that the war against organized crime and corruption took a significant place in the discussions that he had with U.S. Vice-President, Joe Biden, and that he informed him about all the measures taken on the matter.

Veseli: Biden confirmed to me his support for demarcation (RTK)

The President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli, spoke for the first time about the message that U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden conveyed to him personally. He said that Biden confirmed the U.S. strong support for Kosovo in all processes. “He said that all deputies should gather and approve demarcation and open way to perspective.” Veseli expressed conviction that demarcation will be approved on 1 September. “MPs should as soon as possible vote on demarcation unanimously because it is in benefit of the country. MPs should be clearly aware that endorsement of the demarcation opens way to the perspective of the country, while the other alternative leads Kosovo to an unknown road. Therefore all MPs should reflect because the messages are clear, Kosovo has the strong support of the United States. Now we should all, based on the responsibilities that belong to us, approve the demarcation,” Veseli said.

AAK will not join Vetëvendosje’s protest on 1 September (dailies)

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) spokesperson, Muharrem Nitaj, said on Thursday that AAK will not join Vetëvendosje’s protest against the border demarcation agreement on 1 September. “Vetevendosje is a political organization and it is quite normal to call for protests when they see it as necessary. I can only say that we will not be part of any civil and political protests, even when organised by others. However, we will not stop anyone to join the protest if they assess that they should be part of it,” Nitaj said.  The Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) secretary, Bilall Sherifi, said his party has yet to decide whether it will join the protest on 1 September or not.

“Association, after Belgrade dissolves parallel structures in Kosovo” (RFE)

Kosovo’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Valon Murtezaj, told the news site that the statute of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities has not been drafted yet because its establishment depends on the dissolution of parallel structures in northern Kosovo. "The Government is determined to implement agreements reached in Brussels. One of them is the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities. I can say that Kosovo has completed its part, but there have been problems from the Serbian side.  Any further step towards the establishment of the Association or drafting its statute, depends on the dynamics and approach towards the dissolution of parallel structures that still exist in northern Kosovo,” Murtezaj said.

"Serbia has to recognize Kosovo prior to joining EU" (Epoka)

Executive Director at the U.S. Institute of Current World Affairs, Edward Joseph, who also served at international missions in Balkans during and after the wars, told Radio Free Europe that Serbia’s joining of the EU will be conditioned with recognition of Kosovo’s independence. “Germany will not allow Serbia to join the EU without prior recognition of Kosovo,” Joseph said.

Serbian government won’t accept Kosovo high-ranking officials in Nis (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that the Serbian Government has ruled out the possibility of a tripartite meeting at the level of Prime Ministers or Presidents with Albania and Kosovo. Serbian Prime Minister, Aleksandar Vucic, is scheduled to meet his Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama, around mid-October and the main topic of the meeting will be economic development and regional investments. The Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo rebutted certain media reports about a joint session of the three governments in Nis. Serbian officials in Belgrade said only lower-ranking political representatives from Pristina will be present at the meeting. Meanwhile, the Kosovo Government has yet to say if it will attend the forum.