UNMIK Headlines 15 December
Pristina & Belgrade ready to resume dialogue (Tribuna)
The European Union is expected to invite leaders from Pristina and Belgrade to continue their dialogue after the holidays, the paper reports, quoting diplomatic officials in Pristina. They also said that it is possible for the dialogue to take place at the level of foreign minister, but the first meeting is expected to take place between the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, and the Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, under the facilitation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini.
Uncertainties over formation of Kosovo Armed Forces (Koha)
The paper reports on the front page that one of the top two priorities of Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa is the formation of the Kosovo Armed Forces. Mustafa, however, has yet to say how he plans to approach the Serbian List, whose votes are needed to transform the Kosovo Security Force into the Armed Forces. The paper also notes that the Serbian List will try to secure military autonomy for northern Kosovo. Belgrade, meanwhile, is adamant that the issue of the Armed Forces should be negotiated in Brussels.
Thaci: I will be President of Kosovo in 2016 (Epoka)
In an interview for Radio Free Europe, Hashim Thaci, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo and Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that the agreement between the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) will be respected by both sides and that the ruling coalition will be stable. Asked if he has received guarantees for taking over the post of Kosovo President in 2016, Thaci said: “The agreement was signed to be respected in its entirety. It is an agreement of goodwill and shared responsibilities.”
Kosovo to have 70 deputy ministers (Zeri/Epoka)
Zeri reports on the front page that the new government of Kosovo is expected to give deputy minister posts to many members of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) who were not satisfied with the coalition agreement between the two parties. Epoka e Re reports that Fatmir Limaj, the leader of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), said that if the ruling coalition has over 70 deputy ministers, this would be worrying news for the people of Kosovo. Limaj wrote on Facebook that he hopes that these figures were not correct, and that Prime Minister Isa Mustafa should have other priorities.
Kurti cites Mustafa’s greed for power & fear of prison (Zeri)
In an interview for the paper, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti said that the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Isa Mustafa, joined forces with Hashim Thaci because of his greed for power and his fear of charges that have been filed against him at the Prosecutor’s Office. Kurti said that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) came to power with the help of the Kosovo Intelligence Service (SHIK), which was headed by Kadri Veseli, now the Speaker of Parliament. Kurti argued that there should be a parliamentary investigation committee on SHIK, its structure, goals, accountability and finances. The Vetevendosje leader also stated that Kosovo does not need a special court.
Trade Workers’ Union warns of protests if salaries not raised (RTK)
Haxhi Arifi, the leader of the Kosovo Trade Workers’ Union (BSPK), told Gazeta Express that Prime Minister Isa Mustafa will have to respect former Prime Minister Hashim Thaci’s promises to raise public sector salaries. “In the next couple of days, we will meet the new head of the government and engage in dialogue. If dialogue fails, we won’t rule out protests and strikes,” Arifi said.
Lunacek: EU countries should recognise Kosovo (Kosova Sot)
The European Parliament Vice-President and Rapporteur for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, told the German TV channel, Tagesschau, that five EU countries have not recognized Kosovo’s independence because of their internal issues with minority communities. However, she stressed, none of these countries went through a situation like Kosovo did under former Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic. Lunacek said that Kosovo institutions should swiftly address pressing problems such as the economic situation, which she said is deteriorating and forcing people to seek asylum abroad.