Headlines - 16.02.19

Thaci, Haradinaj and Pacolli participate at Munich Security Conference (media)

Media widely report on the participation of Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, PM Ramush Haradinaj and Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli at the Munich Security Conference. Media report about the separate meetings of Kosovo delegation with German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass, former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic and many other. Pacolli reportedly invited the German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit Kosovo.

Kosovo leaders met on Friday with EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn.

"U.S. demands and their disrespect were part of the conversation with Commissioner Johannes Hahn and everyone else," Thaci said.  "This is because of a major focus on this issue,  because no one has been accustomed to Kosovo in these 20 years not to listen to the advice of the U.S. when we have the most pro-American population and to have an approach of disobedient  and non-loyal policies towards the United States."

"It was the suggestion of all of Commissioner Johannes Hahn who is expected to take a dialogue role in the process of temporarily suspending the tax he added"

Haradinaj reportedly told Hahn he is ready to suspend 100 percent tax on Serbian goods after Serbia recognises Kosovo’s independence. Haradinaj also reminded Hahn that Kosovo has fulfilled all visa liberalisation criteria and expects visa free regime soon.

“Very good exchange at Munich Security Conference with Hashim Thaci, Ramush Haradinaj and Behgjet Pacolli. I reiterated the urgency to return to the Serbia-Kosovo Dialogue facilitated by Federica Mogherini. To enable this, I repeated my offer to build a quick and practical solution for trade irritants on both sides,” Hahn wrote on his Twitter account.

Haradinaj wants Germany’s involvement in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj, who is participating at the Munich Security Conference, has requested for involvement of the U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the reach of final agrement between Kosovo and Serbia.

Kosovo delegation met on Friday in Munich with senior officials of the German government, EU officials as well as U.S. congressmen.

“I consider that the dialogue should not be conditioned. So, we have to sit around the table, in dialogue, tax can also be dialogued, but other issues as well,” Haradinaj said.

“Berlin is extremely precise, clear, so, also against the idea of moving the borders, or exchange of territories. They consider it to be dangerous for the stability of the entire region, not only Kosovo-Serbia relations. Senators were also extremely reserved with regards to such idea, so it was not their preferred idea,” Haradinaj said.

“We have so far spoken about what cannot be done, so no movement of borders, no exchange of territories, no Dodik republic in Kosovo. We have to unite. Perhaps it is the momentum for official Berlin to undertake the initiative and help parties. I have waited and welcome a new energy from Washington, but I think that both energies are needed. The ideal solution would be President Trump and Chancellor Merkel. These two leaders could conclude all the remaining issues in Balkans,” Haradinaj said.

Trump writes to Vucic, asks for recognition of Kosovo (media)

Serbian media report that the President of the United States Donald Trump has sent a letter to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, expressing his good wishes on Serbia’s Statehood Day.

In the letter, reportedly Trump urges Serbian President Vucic in reaching as soon as possible an agreement with Kosovo, which would result in mutual recognition.

“The United States is steadfast in supporting your commitment to deepening the regional co-operation, especially in your engagement with regards to Kosovo,” reads the letter.

“While it remains on the parties involved to reach an agreement that both sides could hold, we think that the mutual recognition should be the central element of the normalization of relations,” emphasized in U.S. President Trump in his letter.

Trump congratulates Thaci on 11 anniversary of independence (media)

Media report on the letter that the U.S. President Donald Trump has sent to President Hashim Thaci to congratulate all people of Kosovo on the 11 anniversary of the declaration of independence of Kosovo. The letter, which is also published on th official web-page of the President of Kosovo, reads as below:

“On behalf of the American people, I congratulate all of Kosovo’s citizens on the eleventh anniversary of your country’s independence.

Our strong, bilateral relationship is rooted in the shared vision of a stable, secure and prosperous Kosovo and Western Balkans region. As Kosovo begins its second decade as a sovereign, independent country, I encourage Kosovo’s citizens to focus on enshrining democratic principles, strengthening the rule of law, and expanding economic and commercial opportunities. Most importantly, Kosovo and Serbia must normalize relations, which is essential for Kosovo’s Western integration. We see mutual recognition as the foundation of normalized relations and the basis for any comprehensive solution.

The United States remains a partner to all who share these goals and are ready to undertake the hard work necessary for Kosovo’s success now and in the future.”

EU: Lifting tariffs would enable an early resumption of Dialogue (media)

Media report on the press release issued on Friday by the EU Office in Kosovo, and EU missions in Kosovo. "The Head of the European Union Office/EU Special Representative and Heads of EU missions in Kosovo reiterate their continuing concern over the imposition of 100% tariff on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As stated on many occasions already, this is a clear violation of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), it runs contrary to the spirit of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and impacts negatively on regional cooperation.

The EU is Kosovo's largest donor, investment and trade partner. Tariff and non-tariff barriers to free trade, whether imposed by Kosovo or any of its neighbours, hinder the region’s path towards a competitive market economy and make it less attractive as a place to invest.

The imposition of the tariffs has impacted negatively upon the Dialogue process with Serbia. The lifting of the tariffs would enable an early resumption of this Dialogue. A successful Dialogue that leads to a comprehensive and sustainable agreement will contribute to the stability of Kosovo and the whole region.

We are aware that the success of the Dialogue depends on both sides avoiding unhelpful actions and we recall that the EU has urged both sides to act accordingly; it is in this spirit that we call upon the government of Kosovo to articulate clearly the concrete steps it will take to enable the tariffs to be suspended, so regional cooperation can move forward. We also urge the Government to seriously consider the EU Commission´s offer to assist in removing non-tariff barriers that Kosovo exports are facing in the region,” reads the press release.

Veseli: Kosovo cannot be defended by ignoring America (RTK)

The President of the Assembly of Kosovo Kadri Veseli said on Friday that introducing tax to counter Serbia was a just decision, however he added that after US clear message, the tax should be suspended. He said that he does not want to and he will not allow anyone to turn the U.S. and the EU against Kosovo.

Veseli said that no national interests will be violated with reaching a potential agreement with Serbia. “The dialogue with Serbia should happen, we should trust ourselves and partners, and time has come to conclude this challenge,” he said. Veseli also called on opposition parties to join the state delegation team in dialogue with Serbia adding that this would strengthen Kosovo’s position in the dialogue.