There will not be early elections (Koha Ditore)

Sources told the paper that a majority of parliamentary parties have not opposed the prospect of general elections in Kosovo not taking place before the constitutional timeframe, which means elections will most likely be held in early autumn of 2014.

“There is a silent agreement not to insist on organizing elections before its constitutional deadline because the political agendas we have ahead do not permit institutional vacuums,” said the source, adding that even after the election reform is concluded, it will take another year and a half to regulate the secondary legislation and organize elections.

Thaçi: I will send an ambassador to Serbia (Koha Ditore)

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi told the Kosovo Assembly Wednesday that the main issue discussed during the third meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dacic, was the implementation of the agreement on Integrated Border Management between the Kosovo and Serbia. This agreement created reactions in the Assembly, some of them insisting that the agreement should be ratified by the Assembly. However, Government representatives claimed that this was a technical agreement and, as such, should not be brought to parliament.

Thaçi said that they agreed that, for reasons concerning security, the liaison offices will be established at the offices of the European Union in Pristina and Belgrade during the initial phase. “We have decided to nominate one of the current Ambassadors of theRepublicofKosovoat the liaison office of Kosovo,” said Thaçi.

EU won’t confirm if border agreement with Serbia is IBM (Koha Ditore)

European Union has not confirmed whether the border agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is indeed the Integrated Border Management. EU representations in Kosovo did not comment on arrangements being implemented at border crossings in Merdare and Jarinje as of 10 December.

Koha Ditore tried several times to get an answer from the EULEX as to why the basic criteria of the IBM are not being implemented by Kosovo and Serbia authorities without success. “EULEX is implementing everything parties agreed upon,” responded EULEX.

Thaçi reconsiders EULEX mandate (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi said Wednesday that he supports the initiative for a debate at the Kosovo Assembly in order to reconsider the mandate of EULEX. “EULEX has been followed by failures and weaknesses and I, as Prime Minister, and the Government of Kosovo fully support the idea and initiative to debate at the Assembly of Kosovo for reconsideration of EULEX’s mandate by political parties of Kosovo,” said Thaçi. Coalition partner AKR also supported the request of the PM.

Halbauer: Continue mission under NATO or EU umbrella (Koha Ditore)

During a visit to Ferizaj on Wednesday, COMKFOR Volker Halbauer said the overall security situation in Kosovo is stable, with obvious differences between the southern and the northern part. “Recently, we witnessed talks and political dialogue, I am not a politician, but I hope that these talks and dialogue are positive and that Pristina and Belgrade will continue this dialogue because it provides better development for all citizens. KFOR, in its mandate, is willing to support this dialogue,” he said.

Asked to comment on reports that NATO will transfer KFOR command to the European Union, Halbauer said, “It is not my decision if KFOR will be under the NATO or EU umbrella. We will continue to implement our mission.” 

Kurti, Haradinaj meet but don’t agree (Koha)

Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti and AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj met yesterday in Pristina. After a one-hour meeting, both said they failed to reach an agreement. “We highlighted all problems in Kosovo. We did not reach a common opinion, but we addressed all issues,” Haradinaj said after the meeting. “We did not meet to agree, we met to discuss issues.”

Both leaders said some of the topics on which they did not reach an agreement included a possible coalition between the AAK and PDK, political dialogue with Serbia, and the privatization of public enterprises.

Kurti said he called on Haradinaj to coordinate actions as opposition parties with the aim of removing Thaçi and PDK from power. “As you know, we don’t have the same position on talks with Serbia, the process of privatization in Kosovo, and we also made an offer to Mr. Haradinaj to coordinate opposition parties in order to relieve this government and governance as soon as possible. We are confident that Kosovo’s salvation lies in relieving this government of scandals because it has damaged Kosovo both as a territory and as a public wealth,” Kurti said. 

UNMIK administration in Mitrovica to close (Kosova Sot)

Illegal mayors of four Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo made an offer to UNMIK representatives yesterday for Serbs to finance the work of the UNMIK office in northern Mitrovica, which is expected to shut down in late December due to lack of funds.

UNMIK officials said the office was being shut down because “institutions in Pristina don’t have funds to finance the further functioning of the office”.

Krstimir Pantic, Dragisa Milovic, Slavisa Ristic, Dragisa Vasic and Radenko Nedeljkovic offered to finance the work of UNMIK representatives at the office in question and pay for salaries of local staff members, “because they have full confidence in their work.”

The illegal Serb leaders said UNMIK chief Farid Zarif will be held responsible if Albanians cause unexpected incidents. 

Haziri: Government to blame for SAA (Epoka e Re)

In an interview for the paper, head of parliamentary committee on European integrations, Lutfi Haziri, accused the Government of Kosovo for failing to implement EU-set criteria mostly related to rule of law and public administration reform. “Responsibility for rule of law and public administration rests with the Government,” said Haziri. He stressed that instead of empty statements, the Government needs to make serious efforts in the fight against corruption and organized crime and achieve tangible results or else Kosovo risks not getting the date for start of SAA negotiations even in spring.

Lajcak against Kosovo’s partition (dailies)

Slovakia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak is quoted as saying in several dailies that Kosovo’s eventual partition would have negative effects on stability and relations in the region. Lajcak said he hopes negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina will continue with the aim of reaching agreements that are acceptable for both parties. He said he expects agreements on energy and telecommunications soon.

Commenting on speculation about the possible exchange of territories between Serbia and Kosovo, Lajcak said redrawing borders along ethnic or religious lines is not a long-term solution and can contribute to increased tensions.

“A solution for the issue of Kosovo must first and foremost be sought in dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. A solution is required that would create conditions for long-term sustainable relations between the two and one that would contribute to regional stability,” Lajcak said.