PDK wants legitimization of political dialogue in the Assembly (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the resolution for normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia has been sponsored from ruling parties, namely the PDK, but also supported by the opposition AAK.

LDK considers that they have achieved the aim for talks with Serbia to go through Assembly, while Vetëvendosje evaluates it as shameful, because “talks will be political and will damage Kosovo”.

Party of Hashim Thaçi, PDK, supported also from the partners of coalition and AAK in opposition, while satisfying also LDK of Isa Mustafa has approved a resolution, according to which Kosovo Assembly, on Thursday, will discuss these talks. The text of the resolution of six points does not refer to the word dialogue, but to the normalization of relations between Republic of Kosovo and Republic of Serbia.

Assembly of Republic of Kosovo supports the process for normalization of relations between two independent and sovereign states, Kosovo and Serbia, in the interest of solving problems between two countries, improvement of the lives of citizens and advancement of European agenda for both countries and for the region”, says in the beginning of resolution. In the second point adds that Assembly of Republic of Kosovo reaffirms the principle that this process to be facilitated from EU and to be strongly supported by USA.

Thaçi splits tasks for ministers (dailies)

In the meeting of inter-ministerial council for European integrations, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi urged his ministers to carry out tasks presented by European Commission in record time so as to proceed with negotiations for Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

Following the meeting, as Koha Ditore reports, Thaçi also sent letters to almost all ministers laying out actions they have to undertake to implement the short-term EU criteria. Relevant ministers were asked to prepare a detailed analysis by 17 October of financial implications of all activity.

Grabovci announces PDK reinforcements (Epoka e Re)

Epoka e Re reports on page seven that PDK parliamentary group chief Adem Grabovci said yesterday that the ruling coalition has the majority in Parliament and that very soon MPs from other parties will join the PDK parliamentary group. “We have absolutely no concern. We are very stable and we are meeting all requirements deriving from the Constitution. What is important is the fact that we as a coalition have over 63 MPs. But I don’t rule out the possibility that MPs from other parties will move toward our coalition,” Grabovci was quoted as saying.

Vulin gives support to parallel structures in the north (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the Director of the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia Aleksandar Vulin has met with illegal mayors and with MUP structures in the north of Kosovo, to whom he guaranteed continuation of political and financial support from Belgrade if they continue to resist integration in Kosovo.

Koha Ditore reports that Vulin held meetings and walked freely in north of Kosovo. He also spend a night in north of Kosovo and was not disturbed by the Kosovo
Police. Kosovo police in north Mitrovica along the Mitrovica-Pristina road are deployed at every two to three kilometers to detain and deport Vulin from Kosovo. Kosovo police Lieutenant-Colonel, Ergin Medic, stated for Koha Ditore that Kosovo police had an operation plan for his detention and deportation from Kosovo. Medic also said that we have followed some information that Vulin was located in some cafeteria, “but everywhere we have been, we have not met him”. Koha Ditore reports that Vulin left Kosovo on Monday afternoon, at about 15:00 hrs, Vulin left Kosovo through the alternate road which leads through Bosniak villages in municipality of Leposavic.

Sekiraça: I did not order the killing of Triumf Rizaj (Koha Ditore)

In the second part of the interview, Enver Sekiraça, suspect for the murder of the Kosovo Police officer Triumf Rizaj, admitted that he had an outstanding dispute with Rizaj but denied having ordered his killing. “Triumf was killed by Arben Berisha. I saw in the papers that he killed him,” said Sekiraça.

At the same time, the paper carries out the statement from the public broadcaster RTK which was originally supposed to air the interview. RTK said the managerial staff did not approve airing of the interview and the producers of the show, BIRN, were asked to remove from their website the announcement that the interview would go ahead on Sunday at 21.00hrs.

“We consider that the content of this show exceeds the framework of freedom of expression and because of allegations we believe it should not serve as content for public debate but rather as an issue that should be addressed with relevant judicial authorities,” said the statement from RTK.

Ombudsman talks of pressures from power (Koha Ditore)

The challenges of Ombudsman which are also mentioned in the EC report, which call for improvements within in a short period of time are difficult to be implemented, considers Kosovo’s Ombudsman. Sami Kurteshi says that there were attempts to influence this institution. Financial independence and ensuring necessary space for this institution are two issues which need quick improvement. Independent institution of Ombudsman still faces problems for normal functioning as the offices in the four-storey private building are not suitable for receiving parties coming in this institution to make claims.

 CEFTA’s failure (Express)

The paper writes that Kosovo remains the only member of the Central Europe Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) that has not gained anything from joining the mechanism since 2007. Economy experts say that Kosovo did not gain anything even during last year when it had the presidency of CEFTA and that the biggest brunt of the agreement is being paid by local producers which are not protected against regional ones.

Eight Consuls of honor of Kosovo, nominated (dailies)

Eight foreign personalities appreciated for the contribution on sensibilization and recognition of the state of Kosovo are nominated as consuls of honor in five different countries of the world. The Ministry of the Foreign Affairs has informed that three individuals are in the process discussion and approval. The Ministry does not tell about the refused consuls or the manner they are selected. The Ministry has not found many personalities in Europe to nominate as consuls of honor, and so far only  professor Markus Paulmichi from Salzburg in Austria has been nominated, reports dailies. Half of the consuls of honor nominated are from Turkey, and one each in Haiti, Maldives and the Dominican Republic.

Drilon Zogaj from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says that the list of the consuls will be enriched soon. “I can inform you that except for the already nominated consuls, the MFA, in coordination with other component institutions that deal with foreign policy, will nominate another number of consuls of honor and that they will have a significant role on strengthening of international subjectivity of the Republic of Kosovo in all aspects,” said Zogaj.