Headlines - 12.07.2017

• “Haradinaj received support from non-Serb communities” (Zeri)
• Elections of PAN candidate for Assembly President, not certain (Koha)
• International officials in Kosovo begin meeting political leaders (Koha Ditore)
• PDK’s Haxhiu: PAN has so far 63 votes (Koha)
• Kusari-Lila: New government by Vetevendosje and LAA (Klan Kosova)
• Kurti speaks about plans to form government with LDK (Bota Sot)
• Hahn: New government to tackle corruption and demarcation (Epoka)
• EU to gather today Western Balkans Prime Ministers in Italy (Epoka) 

Kosovo Media Highlights

“Haradinaj received support from non-Serb communities” (Zeri)

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) senior official, Avni Arifi, said that the leader of the party and PAN coalition’s candidate for prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj, received support for forming the new government from the non-Serb communities whose representatives he met yesterday. Arifi said that Haradinaj plans to send an invitation to the Serbian List today to meet and discuss possible ways of cooperation.

Elections of PAN candidate for Assembly President, not certain (Koha)

Eventual boycott of the session for election of the Assembly President, could prolong creation of institutions. “All that Albanian political parties could do is try to affect the candidate for President, by voting against proposals that they do not consider to be suitable for this position,” said Albert Krasniqi from the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI). Vetevendosje movement has not made any announcement on this, however they said that they will engage against those who were leading on capturing the state.

International officials in Kosovo begin meeting political leaders (Koha Ditore)

The U.S. Ambassadors to Kosovo Greg Delawie has begun a round of meetings with political leaders following certification of election results. Delawie already met the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and PAN coalition’s candidate for prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj, and the leader of the New Kosovo Alliance, Behgjet Pacollli. After this meeting, Delawie said he plans to meet “everyone”. At the same time, the head of the EU Office in Kosovo and Special Representative, Nataliya Apostolova, met yesterday Vetevendosje’s candidate for prime minister, Albin Kurti and deputy leader, Dardan Sejdiu. A press release issued by Vetevendosje states that the parties agreed to continue cooperation and intensify relations. 

PDK’s Haxhiu: PAN has so far 63 votes (Koha)

In an interview to KTV, Bekim Haxhiu from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) said the PAN coalition has already secured 63 votes out of 61 required to form the new government. The figure includes 20 votes from non-Albanian communities and the rest from other parties. “There are MPs who have put the state interest above the individual or group one,” Haxhiu said adding that the number of 63 votes could increase in the coming days.

Kusari-Lila: New government by Vetevendosje and LAA (Klan Kosova)

Mimoza Kusari-Lila, leader of Alternativa, part of the so-called LAA coalition led by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), said the new government of Kosovo will be formed by Vetevendosje and LAA as she estimated that PAN will fail in the attempt at forming new institutions. She said the post of prime minister has not been negotiated but that “if our objective is to push forward a meaningful governing programme, there will be agreement on the post of prime minister”. She told Klan Kosova that PAN coalition is in panic because they do not have sufficient number of votes to create the government. “If they had the numbers, they would have called the meeting. PAN does not have the numbers, they are playing a psychological game,” Kusari-Lila said. Commenting on reports that there are certain MPs from LAA coalition that would be ready to vote a PAN-led government, Kusari-Lila said those MPs pondering such a move would be committing “political suicide”.

Kurti speaks about plans to form government with LDK (Bota Sot)

In an interview for the German magazine, Der Spiegel, Vetevendosje’s candidate for prime minister, Albin Kurti, admitted that they had problems with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) in the past but that “the most important thing is the future”. “We are therefore ready to form a government with LDK”. Speaking about election results, Kurti said the people of Kosovo did not merely vote for Vetevendosje but also for the PDK to go to opposition. He said he was the most voted candidate in Kosovo and the party with the most votes. “It would be a dangerous and undemocratic development if Vetevendosje were to remain in opposition,” Kurti said.

Hahn: New government to tackle corruption and demarcation (Epoka)

The European Union Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, reiterated in an interview given to the Tirana-based paper Tema that ratification of the border demarcation with Montenegro and fighting corruption should be priority of the new government. “The priority of Kosovo now is to create a government based on parliamentary majority, in accordance with the Constitution and parliamentary procedures. Any new government should engage on country’s EU perspective and complete essential reforms, especially on the rule of law and economy as well as engage seriously in the dialogue with Serbia.  It should fulfill expectations of its citizens and the main one liberalization of visas,” Hahn said.

EU to gather today Western Balkans Prime Ministers in Italy (Epoka)

The European Commission has issued a press release which informs that the Trieste Summit will be an opportunity to discuss concrete avenues to strengthen regional cooperation and thus further advance the EU integration process of the Western Balkans. “The 2017 Western Balkans Summit will take place on 12 July in Trieste, Italy. The Summit will serve as an important occasion to work together on strengthening concrete opportunities while fostering regional cooperation with the aim of developing inclusive societies, good governance and vibrant economies, hence also further advancing the European Union integration perspective of the region. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Johannes Hahn Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, and Violeta Bulc, Commissioner for Transport, will participate together with Heads of Government, Foreign Ministers, Ministers of Economy and Ministers of Transport of the Western Balkans and their counterparts from 6 EU Member States (Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia),” informs the press release.