Headlines - 21 09 2016

• Thaçi, possible indictee of the special court (Koha Ditore)
• EU: Visa liberalization, after demarcation (Zëri)
• Hyseni walks out of meeting to protest over Kosovo’s representation (Koha)
• Kurti: Demarcation could bring war in Kosovo (Zëri)
• Kouchner: Kosovo, a success story (Epoka e Re)
• KDI to assist with dialogue transparency efforts (Koha Ditore)

Thaçi, possible indictee of the special court (Koha Ditore)

According to the Dutch paper De Volkskrant, President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi could be one of the former Kosovo Liberation Army members to be accused by the specialist chamber which is expected to soon begin work in The Hague. In his first appearance since being appointed chief prosecutor of the specialist chamber, David Schwendiman did not say who the possible indictees were but the Dutch paper claims that Thaçi and his associates for a long time have been facing allegations of organ trade and other crimes.

EU: Visa liberalization, after demarcation (Zëri)

Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, during his visit to the United States met on Tuesday with the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. Mustafa informed the EU officials on Kosovo’s progress and commitment to European processes. Tusk and Mogherini stressed EU’s support for Kosovo, while saying that after the border demarcation deal with Montenegro is concluded, the process of visa liberalization for Kosovo will move forward. Mustafa also met  U.S. congressman Eliot Engel and USAID representative for Europe, Margot Ellis.

Hyseni walks out of meeting to protest over Kosovo’s representation (Koha)

Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Skënder Hyseni, has walked out of a meeting taking place in Bratislava on the migrant crisis after the host of the conference referred to Kosovo as a territory under the administration of the UN Security Council resolution 1244 omitting the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of Kosovo’s declaration of independence. In a press release issued by Kosovo’s Ministry of Interior, Hyseni is quoted as saying that the designation used by the organisers of the conference was unacceptable. “Republic of Kosovo will rejoin the initiative as soon as the necessary corrections are made in accordance with the Brussels agreement on Kosovo’s representation,” the ministry’s statement reads.

Kurti: Demarcation could bring war in Kosovo (Zëri)

Vetëvendosje Movement MP, Albin Kurti, during an interview with the paper said that the current demarcation deal is a formula for war in Kosovo. “I think the current demarcation brings conflict and war with Montenegro,” Kurti said. Saying h ise personally against  war with Montenegro, he noted  “war happens where the territorial dispute is, not in Pristina.” Kurti also said that the whole process of border demarcation with Montenegro was not transparent at all. He further added that Kosovo’s main problem is not radicalized Islam but rather “Serbia’s chauvinism” and government corruption. While in regards to establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities, Kurti said he hopes this issue will never be a main topic for Kosovo. “Kosovo has enough energy and knowledge not to allow harmful agreements to move forward. This was also proved on 1 September,” he added.

Kouchner: Kosovo, a success story (Epoka e Re)

Former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, said that the possible indictments of the special court will not damage the image of Kosovo. He said that while Kosovo is not in a perfect situation, it has come a long way since 1999. “Generally, the UN cannot take pride in success stories, but Kosovo is one of them”, said Kouchner in Tirana where he was awarded the honoris causa title by the European University.

KDI to assist with dialogue transparency efforts (Koha Ditore)

The Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) has been commissioned by the Assembly of Kosovo to provide assistance and expertise aimed at increasing the transparency and accountability of the EU-facilitated dialogue process between Pristina and Belgrade. KDI representatives said the project, supported by the Swiss Embassy, will initially focus on explaining to the people the importance of agreements reached so far through roundtables, field visits and polls.