Headlines - 10.08.2018

• PDK leader, Veseli, against border change idea (Koha Ditore)
• UK, Germany oppose change of borders (RFE/dailies)
• US Ambassador: Kosovo and Serbia to propose solution themselves (RTK)
• Vucic: I am engaged for division between Serbs and Albanians (RTK)
• Thaci decrees new judges, including Interpol-wanted Laban (dailies)
• Government receives reports from Management Team (Koha Ditore)
• Djuric: UN seat for Kosovo and nothing for Serbia, a bad idea (RTK)
• Austria refuses to provide Green Card coverage for Kosovo (Koha)

Kosovo Media Highlights

PDK leader, Veseli, against border change idea (Koha Ditore)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Kadri Veseli, said change of Kosovo borders will never be up for discussion. “Kosovo is one and has no north and south. There will never be any partition of Kosovo and the issue will not be a discussion topic in the dialogue,” Veseli said yesterday in Mitrovica. He said Kosovo will participate in the dialogue with Serbia and that he expects it to end in recognition of independence of Kosovo, UN membership and maintaining partnership with US and EU. “This is our goal,” Veseli underlined. He also promised Albanians in the north that all their damaged property will be reconstructed. “Very soon, in cooperation with Mayor Rakic, reconstruction of all burned houses will commence,” Veseli said adding that every citizen of Kosovo has the right to choose where they want to live.

UK, Germany oppose change of borders (RFE/dailies)

Embassies of the United Kingdom and Germany in Kosovo warned that statements concerning border changes in the Balkans could lead to destabilization. “We believe calls for modification of national borders could be destabilizing,” the British Embassy told Radio Free Europe. The German Embassy also stated it is against change of borders. A response from the Embassy refers to previous statements from German officials including Minister Michael Roth and Ambassador Christian Heldt who said shifting borders is a dangerous prospect which would destabilise the entire Balkans region.

US Ambassador: Kosovo and Serbia to propose solution themselves (RTK)

The U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Kyle Scott, told Serbian daily Blic that the U.S. are ready to listen and help negotiations for the reach of an agreement. He added that the sooner the normalization occurs, the faster the path of both countries for EU membership would open. “The U.S. strongly support discussions between Pristina and Belgrade,” he said and added that the two countries should propose options for the final solution. “It is time for the countries to be creative and flexible. They should propose a solution. The U.S. are prepared to listen and help these negotiations,” Scott said.

Vucic: I am engaged for division between Serbs and Albanians (RTK)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said on Thursday that he is engaged for division between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo. “I am in favor, and this is my policy, for division with Albanians, because we have a territory that it is not known who treats it and what belongs to whom. It is always a source of eventual conflicts,” Vucic said. “I do not hide such aim, but it is not known if Serb population would accept this or not, and if it will succeed. This does not depend only on Serbia, it takes two to tango,” Vucic said.

Thaci decrees new judges, including Interpol-wanted Laban (dailies)

Papers report that President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, decreed yesterday four new judges to the Constitutional Court, including Radomir Laban wanted by Serbian authorities on criminal activity charges and Safet Hoxha, member of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). A statement issued by the President’s Office notes that the candidates have successfully passed all procedures. Opposition Vetevendosje reacted to Thaci’s move saying that rehabilitation of a person with criminal history to the highest constitutional body not only further degrades Constitutional Court but is also done as part of efforts to legitimize the project of Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities.  Vetevendosje vowed not to allow Laban’s appointment and to look into all possibilities to undo it. Anti-corruption NGO Cohu said that the Law on Constitutional Court prevents anyone with a criminal record to be appointed judge.

Government receives reports from Management Team (Koha Ditore)

The government of Kosovo has received reports from the Management Team, tasked with preparing draft statute for the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities but did not study their contents yet. Government’s spokesperson, Donjeta Gashi, said the documents were forwarded by the Ministry of Local Government Administration and are related to the Association/Community. “These documents will be reviewed by the Office of Prime Minister and the public will be informed in due time,” Gashi said.

Djuric: UN seat for Kosovo and nothing for Serbia, a bad idea (RTK)

The Director of the Office for Kosovo at the Serbian government, Marko Djuric, said that giving Kosovo a seat at the United Nations, while Serbia gains nothing, is the same as accepting the proclaimed independence in its entire territory and leave the north forever. “It is a very bad idea,” Djuric said for the Belgrade weekly, Vreme.

Austria refuses to provide Green Card coverage for Kosovo (Koha)

Austrian has refused to provide Green Card car insurance coverage for Kosovo despite Kosovo setting up a 4-million-euro reserve fund. Austrian insurance authorities said such a move would endanger its own members.