Headlines - 26.09.2016

• Mustafa seeks support for Kosovo from UN SG Ban (dailies)
• Pristina, Belgrade to discuss Kosovo’s telephone code today (Zëri)
• Mustafa and Veseli to invite opposition to a meeting in October (RTK)
• Opposition doesn’t want to discuss current demarcation deal (Top Channel)
• Border demarcation to reach Assembly without any changes (Koha Ditore)
• Kouchner: Recognition from Serbia will take time (Epoka e Re)

 Mustafa seeks support for Kosovo from UN SG Ban (dailies)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, met in New York the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and asked him to continue support for Kosovo. According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Mustafa also briefed SG Ban on Kosovo’s commitment and efforts to join international organisations, including the UN.

Pristina, Belgrade to discuss Kosovo’s telephone code today (Zëri)

The technical-level dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade will continue today in Brussels where parties are expected to discuss the implementation of the agreement on telecom. Kosovo’s Minister without portfolio, Edita Tahiri, said Kosovo this week will receive its international telephone code. According to Tahiri, the code for Kosovo will be +383 and Kosovo will be equipped with this code immediately after these talks, which are expected to last three days. However, politicians in Serbia say that there will be no state code for Kosovo, and that there will be only an adjustment similar to Taiwan, which is still considered part of China or like the Falkland Islands that are under the United Kingdom. 

Mustafa and Veseli to invite opposition to a meeting in October (RTK)

Kosovo institutional leaders will invite leaders of opposition parties to a meeting early October to discuss the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa announced in a telephone interview with RTK from New York. Mustafa said he discussed border demarcation with heads of states and representatives of international organisations who he met with while in the U.S. and that all expressed concern over the issue. “We will make efforts to act based on facts and not emotions”, said Mustafa. 

Opposition doesn’t want to discuss current demarcation deal (Top Channel)

Opposition parties’ representatives in Kosovo say they will not accept Prime Minister Isa Mustafa’s invitation to negotiate the demarcation deal in the current version.  The opposition wants to return the demarcation deal to point zero.  Vetëvendosje Movement MP, Donika Kadaj Bujupi, said on Sunday they have not received an official invitation from Mustafa yet, adding she has not seen any serious efforts for this meeting to happen.  According to her, “demarcation died on 1 September.” Also the other two opposition parties – Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) - representatives said they did not receive any invitation from Mustafa yet. Pal Lekaj from AAK said his party does not accept to discuss the demarcation deal in its current version. 

Border demarcation to reach Assembly without any changes (Koha Ditore)

Sources told the paper that the government of Kosovo plans to resubmit the draft law on border demarcation agreement with Montenegro in its current version regardless of the outcome of talks it announced it will hold with opposition parties. However, it is not certain if the ruling coalition partners have secured sufficient votes to pass the bill considering that there are a number of their own MPs who have come out publicly against the deal. In a recent interview with a Montenegrin paper, Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa said they are working on securing enough votes, and  that they are also seeking ways to resolve the demarcation issue with opposition parties. 

Kouchner: Recognition from Serbia will take time (Epoka e Re)

Former UNMIK chief in Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner was honored with “Doctor Honoris Causa” by the Tirana European University. Speaking about the political developments in Albania and Kosovo, Kouchner said that he feels honored to have served in Kosovo. “I am very proud to have contributed in my role, my past, in the evolution of Kosovo.” He said that Kosovo should be supported more not only by funds, but through different initiatives as well. Speaking about the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, Kouchner said that recognition by Serbia will take time.