Headlines-03092016

• Postponement of demarcation does not delay visa liberalization (Zeri)
• Votes for demarcation in package with concessions to Serbs (Koha Ditore)
• Engel: Problems in Kosovo to be resolved in democratic way (Koha/VoA)
• Protest in Pristina today aagainst Jeremic’s bid for UN chief (media)
• Arifaj: Thaçi does not need permission to visit the north (media)

Postponement of demarcation does not delay visa liberalization (Zeri)

Kosovo’s Minister of European Integration, Bekim Çollaku, told the paper he is optimistic that the postponement of vote on demarcation deal will not have a negative impact on the process of visa liberalization. According to him, it depends entirely on the institutions of the European Union, but, in his opinion, the EU should understand the situation in Kosovo. “It depends largely on how the EU assesses the situation. Now we are in moments of reflection and should not speculate how things will go, but I hope that we do not delay the blockade, because it would be unnecessary and would not benefit anyone. I believe that the EU institutions should have an understanding approach and adapting to the current situation rather than putting pressure on this issue. If this situation needs something, it is the reduction of tensions,” Çollaku said.

Votes for demarcation in package with concessions to Serbs (Koha Ditore)

The paper reports that the votes in favor of border demarcation deal with Montenegro as of Thursday mean the vote on concessions in relation to the Serbian List. According to the paper, this is expected to reduce the support for demarcation deal in the Assembly.  Political analysts say that it is necessary for Prime Minister Isa Mustafa to make public the conditions of the Serbian List - if there were any, in order for citizens to know what this political party is requiring.  Nait Hasani, Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP who opposed the demarcation deal, said that the government has failed politically during Thursday's Assembly session.

Engel: Problems in Kosovo to be resolved in democratic way (Koha/VoA)

The U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel during an interview with Voice of America said that problems in Kosovo cannot be solved with tear gas, but rather through democratic means. “Some people in Kosovo disagree with the border demarcation agreement and believe that it needs to be revised. The government decided to take a step back and see how it can change the issue. It is up to the people of Kosovo to take a decision. But I think that Kosovo should take decisions in democracy, in a democratic way. These acts of violence that we have seen in the Parliament, with bombs and tear gas, are terrible things, because such actions undermine democracy in Pristina. People have differences in democracy, but they must obey the law. We want Kosovo to become a member of the European Union and NATO. But when people do not feel that the law prevails there, it stymies the attempts. Problems in Kosovo must be resolved democratically, with a political process and not through tear gas in the Parliament,” Engel said.

Protest in Pristina today against Jeremic’s bid for UN chief (media)

Mass protest was called for today in downtown Pristina against the candidacy of Vuk Jeremic for the post of United Nations Secretary-General. The organizers of the protest said they expect massive participation of the people, because according to them, “this is the best opportunity to once again join forces against the man who denies the existence and independence of Kosovo.” Media report that this protest is expected to be the first one to gather all political parties, NGOs and civil society activists for a common cause. Vetevendosje Movement has already announced they will support the protest.

Arifaj: Thaçi does not need permission to visit the north (media)

Ardian Arifaj, advisor to the President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, said that Thaçi’s visit at the border-crossing point in Jarinje was same as his other visits throughout Kosovo.  Arifaj even said that there was no need for additional police forces and that there was no problem during the visit. "We are talking about the President of the country, there is no need to ask permission from anyone to go to the north,” Arifaj said.  “It was a normal visit of the President at the border crossing in Jarinje.  It is safe there and this is best proved by the fact that the President travels in that part of Kosovo. We did not have any problems,” he said.