Headlines - 16.12.2017

• EU foreign policy chief Mogherini to gather Western Balkans leaders (media)
• Pacolli: Border demarcation, key topic in all my international meetings (RTK)
• Petition against specialist chambers encouraged by top officials (Koha)
• LDK MP: Haradinaj government has no solution to visa liberalization (Zeri)
• Vetevendosje to hold general council meeting on Sunday (Koha)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

EU foreign policy chief Mogherini to gather Western Balkans leaders (media)

Media in Kosovo are reporting that the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, has invited Western Balkans prime ministers to an informal meeting Monday in Brussels. The meeting is expected to focus on the current developments in the region and perspective for 2018. “The European Union is committed to strengthening the EU engagement with the region and ensuring that all Western Balkans Six take the necessary steps to render their progress towards the European Union irreversible,” a statement issued by the EU External Action Service reads.

See the statement at: http://bit.ly/2yIDWiV

Pacolli: Border demarcation, key topic in all my international meetings (RTK)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, said that the issue of border demarcation with Montenegro comes up in all meetings he has with international officials. “Our friends’ request is clear: finish demarcation and European perspective opens up,” Pacolli said warning that Kosovo’s future would be bleak if it fails to resolve the border demarcation issue.

Petition against specialist chambers encouraged by top officials (Koha)

The paper reports that top Kosovo officials have encouraged the petition against specialist chambers launched by KLA war veterans’ associations. An unnamed MP from the ruling coalition parties was asked by the paper as to whether the KLA associations received any supporting signals from top officials to which the source said that not only did they receive their backing but were in fact tasked with such an initiative. Another source meanwhile identified President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, and Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, as being behind the petition which is demanding changes to the mandate of the specialist chambers. “They initially wanted to provoke Vetevendosje into initiating the invalidation of the court but have now decided to pursue this option, involving the associations,” the source added.

LDK MP: Haradinaj government has no solution to visa liberalization (Zeri)

In an interview to the paper, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP, Lumir Abdixhiku, said the government of Kosovo, led by Ramush Haradinaj, has no solution to the issue of visa liberalization. “Promises are being broken with the passing of time – much faster than we could have expected. The change of government’s discourse gives a clear picture of its fragility. This government has no solution to the lifting of the visa [regime],” Abdixhiku said. He added however that LDK will support the border demarcation agreement but that it is up to the ruling parties to first secure votes from their own MPs.

Vetevendosje to hold general council meeting on Sunday (Koha)

Vetevendosje has officially confirmed it will convene a meeting of its general council on Sunday. Chairman of the council Hydajet Hyseni, said he called the meeting after he received signatures of over two-thirds of the council’s delegates. Hyseni said he believed the meeting will take place in a democratic, constructive and consolidating atmosphere “in line with the rich tradition and high ideals of Vetevendosje Movement.”