• EU deploys Election Observation Mission to Kosovo (media)
• ECAP turns down Serbian List's complaint (RFE)
• Thaci meets Japan's Emperor Naruhito, PM Shinzo Abe (media)
• Russia sees no precedent concerning Kosovo's partition (Koha)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

EU deploys Election Observation Mission to Kosovo (media)

The European Union has deployed an Election Observation Mission to Kosovo to observe the early parliamentary elections, scheduled for 6 October 2019, media report quoting a statement issued by the EU. To this end, the High Representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini has appointed Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer.

“Kosovo remains a political priority for the European Union and deploying an EOM for the upcoming early parliamentary elections confirms our continuing engagement and commitment to supporting Kosovo's democratic processes,” Mogherini said adding: “These elections come at an important juncture for Kosovo where it needs to move decisively to make progress on its European path, on reforms and on the normalisation of relations with Serbia.”

Chief Observer Viola von Cramon-Taubadel meanwhile declared: "I am hopeful that our observation will provide an important contribution to these elections and, through its follow-up, to efforts to strengthen Kosovo’s electoral processes in the future."

ECAP turns down Serbian List's complaint (RFE)

The Election Complaint and Appeals Panel (ECAP) has rejected the complaint put forward by the Serbian List regarding the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to only allow bearers of Kosovo-issued documents to vote on 6 October elections.

"ECAP has decided to reject the appeal from the Serbian List as unfounded as it concluded that the CEC instruction is just and lawful," head of the ECAP Secretariat Mul Desku told Radio Free Europe.

Thaci meets Japan's Emperor Naruhito, PM Shinzo Abe (media)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci met Japanese Emperor Naruhito and expressed the appreciation of the people of Kosovo for the support Japan has provided during and after the conflict. "We are friendly people and countries and this is how we will always be," Thaci said.

According to a press release issued by his office, President Thaci also congratulated the Emperor on “Reiwa” era, commenced by his Majesty while Emperor Naruhito expressed his desire for the spirit of harmony to reign in Japan and all over the world.

Thaci also met Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. At a joint press conference after the meeting, Thaci said that this year marks the tenth anniversary of Kosovo and Japan establishing diplomatic ties and added that this will be marked by Japan's opening of an embassy in Pristina beginning of next year.

They also discussed dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. "I assured Prime Minister Abe that Kosovo remains committed to continuing Kosovo-Serbia and achieving a final peaceful settlement that includes mutual recognition," Thaci said.

Japanese PM Abe on his part underlined the importance of an agreement being reached between Kosovo and Serbia. "Japan is promoting peace and stability in the region. We support the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, facilitated by European Union. I hope to see leadership of President Thaci for making progress in this dialogue."

Russia sees no precedent concerning Kosovo's partition (Koha)

Russia’s ambassador to Serbia, Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko, said his country does not defend the option of Kosovo's partition but also does not think such a scenario would make a precedent in Europe.

"Former Yugoslavia has been split in all possible ways. And at the end of the day, it turned out neither the disintegration of the SFRY (Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) nor the FRY (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) or that of Serbia were precedents so how can partition of Kosovo be one," Botsan-Kharchenko told Belgrade-based paper Politika.