UNMIK Headlines 16 October
President calls for speedy solution (Epoka e Re)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, continued on Wednesday with her attempts to overcome the political stalemate in Kosovo. She again called on leaders of political parties to find a solution and to avoid any action that would lead Kosovo towards a deeper crisis or extraordinary elections. However, the leaders of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Vetevendosje and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), stated that they have not shifted from their previous positions. A press release issued by the Office of the President notes that, at meetings with party leaders, President Jahjaga stated that the process of facilitating discussions is being undertaken with the sole aim of coming up with viable solutions, based on the country’s constitutional framework. She added that she will continue to maintain impartiality.
Quint has message for Kosovo, especially the bloc (Lajm)
An unnamed diplomat from a Quint country told Lajmi.net that the leaders of political parties should realize that the Assembly Speaker cannot be elected according to someone’s whims but rather the verdict of the Constitutional Court. The leaders should also heed the proposal of President Atifete Jahjaga and establish the government with those who have the numbers. The official said that the Quint’s disappointment was expressed by the US with the cancelation of a senior-level visit and that, very soon, similar decisions could also be taken by Great Britain and Germany.
Kurti: Majority won’t give up (Tribuna)
Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti reiterated that it is the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) that has blocked the establishment of institutions and added that the parliamentary majority is being unfairly prevented from forming the new government. “The parliamentary majority will not give up because there can be no compromise over democracy and justice”, he said, adding that the people of Kosovo need a government free of crime and corruption. Kurti made the comments after a meeting with the Belgian ambassador to Bulgaria, Anick Van Calster.
8-year-old Kosovo boy returned from Syria (Koha Ditore)
On the front page, the paper reports that Erion Zena, the 8-year-old boy from Kosovo whose father took him to Syria, has been safely returned home to his mother after an operation carried out by the Kosovo Intelligence Agency. President Atifete Jahjaga and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci praised the Agency’s operation but gave no details as to how it was carried out, considering that the Agency is not legally permitted to take part in operations abroad.
Rama will go to Serbia, Jahjaga still thinking (Zeri)
The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, will pay an official visit to Belgrade next week, despite the recent incident in Belgrade, in which local fans attacked football players from the Albanian national team. Meanwhile, the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, has not confirmed her participation at the conference of the Trilateral Commission, which will be held in Belgrade on 1 November.
Violence during Serbia-Albania football match condemned (Kosova Sot)
Kosovo Prime Minster Hashim Thaci stated that what happened in Belgrade during the football game between Serbia and Albania was a cowardly and barbaric act. Vetevendosje also reacted to Tuesday’s football match, saying that it showed that Serbia has not changed its perception of Albanians.