Headlines - 13.07.2017

• Haradinaj meets Apostolova, says government will be formed soon (Zeri)
• PAN coalition facing crucial test (Zeri)
• VV and LAA, political agreement before experts’ meetings (Koha)
• Deda: No LAA MP will support Haradinaj’s PM candidacy (TV Dukagjini)
• S. Embassy urges parties to focus on people’s interest (Kosova Sot)
• Kosovo government supports creation of joint economic zone (Koha)
• Kosovo’s membership bid included in Interpol’s agenda (Indeksonline)

Haradinaj meets Apostolova, says government will be formed soon (Zeri)

In a meeting with head of the EU Office in Kosovo and Special Representative, Nataliya Apostolova, the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and PAN’s candidate for prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj, gave assurances that Kosovo will soon form new institutions fully in line with the will of the people expressed on 11 June. A press release issued by the AAK after the meeting says that Apostolova and Haradinaj also discussed Kosovo’s integration processes.

PAN coalition facing crucial test (Zeri)

The paper writes on the front page that leader of the PDK-AAK-Nisma coalition, known as PAN, may have won battles as KLA commanders but the challenge that lies ahead of them in forming the new government may surpass their expectations. The paper adds that PAN’s candidate for prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj, has already lost the first battle after Vetevendosje and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) refused to meet him but whether he will lose the war is something that will remain to be seen in the coming weeks. Be as it may, the paper warns that the time is running and the countdown for Haradinaj has already begun.

VV and LAA, political agreement before experts’ meetings (Koha)

The Vetevendosje Movement and the LDK-AKR-Alternativa coalition are trying to reach a political agreement before proceeding with meetings at the level of experts that would focus on a government program, the paper reports on the front page. Neither VV nor the LDK-led coalition however said if they would reach the agreement before or after the PAN coalition tries to form a new government. Vetevendosje MPs said that their leader, Visar Ymeri, and LDK leader Isa Mustafa, would continue their meetings until a political agreement on co-governance is reached. Vetevendosje MP Shqipe Pantina told the paper on Wednesday that a key principle for a future co-governance would be free governance based on the rule of law. “I believe we also need to discuss on other program issues. We already have similar or the same positions on many points. Experts will then work on issues where we have differing positions and I believe a political agreement would have to be reached first,” Pantina said.

Deda: No LAA MP will support Haradinaj’s candidacy for PM (TV Dukagjini)

Ilir Deda, MP from Alternativa, told TV Dukagjini on Wednesday that MPs from the LDK-AKR-Alternativa coalition will not help Ramush Haradinaj become the new Prime Minister of Kosovo. “We are united and 29 none of us have looked toward the PAN coalition [PDK-AAK-NISMA]. This is the unanimous decision of all MPs,” Deda said.

U.S. Embassy urges parties to focus on people’s interest (Kosova Sot)

The U.S. Embassy in Pristina said it expects Kosovo political leaders to take decisions in the interest of the people at this crucial period.  The U.S. Embassy spokesperson, Michelle Schohn said Ambassador Greg Delawie regularly meets political leaders but takes no position on who should form the new government.

Kosovo government supports creation of joint economic zone (Koha)

The Kosovo government expressed support for an action plan aimed at creating a joint economic zone for the Western Balkans, the paper reports on its front page. The joint economic zone was suggested by EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn. Sokol Havolli, advisor to outgoing Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, said Kosovo has managed to protect its economic sovereignty and has prevented the creation of a customs union for the Western Balkans. Prime Minister Mustafa, who is attending the Trieste Summit, said Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina must eliminate barriers for the free movement of people and goods. “I have expressed the commitment of the Republic of Kosovo for regional cooperation and I have called on Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to eliminate barriers to the free movement of people and goods, as well as Serbia’s barriers in the area of energy and in other areas,” Mustafa wrote in a Facebook post.

Kosovo’s membership bid included in Interpol’s agenda (Indeksonline)

Kosovo’s Interior Minister, Skender Hyseni, confirmed to Indeksonline that Interpol has included Kosovo’s membership application in its agenda for this year. Hyseni however warned that this does not automatically imply Kosovo’s membership as Interpol is also expected to decide on three other applications, including from Palestine and this, according to Hyseni, could present obstacles to Kosovo’s membership.