Headlines - 17.02.2014 Thaçi: We will go to elections without deep reform (Koha Ditore) Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi admitted that Kosovo would likely go to elections without the deep reform previously announced. “I don’t think we can have a deep reform, as expected, because the timeframe is very short,” said Prime Minister Thaçi in an interview for RTK, adding that the reform will be finished in March. The head of PDK did not mention a specific date for elections and said this will be set in the joint meeting of the political spectrum. He also talked about changes that his party will request. “It has been thought that citizens will have the possibility to vote for five candidates from the deputies’ list, except for the head of the party, otherwise this could go up to 10 candidates,” said Thaçi. He noted that the election campaign should last for 15 days for a number of reasons: “Not to bore citisens and, at the same time, not to spend too much; to save energy because the citisens know the programs of all parties,” said Thaçi. On the meeting on Friday with LDK head Isa Mustafa, the Prime Minister noted that AAK’s mistrust motion affected the agreement being achieved on elections in the first half of the year. “The Kosovo Government is stable. The Parliament is confused. I believe that everyone in the Kosovo political spectrum aim to coordinate actions - not take on actions not previously discussed,” said Thaçi. Prime Minister Thaçi spoke of independence and about the efforts Kosovo citisens made over a century towards freedom. The historian mentioned important dates that marked this century. This way, he avoided specific questions on the role of President Rugova in his path to freedom and independence. Although he said that the question of whether Kosovo is a sovereign state is confusing, he stated that northern Kosovo was dysfunctional in the past 15 years. Jahjaga’s speech on 6th anniversary of Kosovo (Koha Ditore) Honourable Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Krasniqi, Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Thaçi, Honourable Ministers and Heads of the Institutions of Republic of Kosovo, Honourable Ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic missions in Kosovo, Honourable families of martyrs and activists, who have contributed for an independent Kosovo, Honourable citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, Ladies and Gentlemen; On the sixth anniversary of the declaration of the independence of Republic of Kosovo, we honour the vision, endeavours and the unwavering dedication of many generations, which passed the spirit of freedom and democracy to the coming generations. Today, having already laid the foundations of our statehood, we are marking this sixth anniversary of independence - an ideal many generations have sacrificed – and we demonstrate our resilience and determination to make this ideal come true. On the sixth anniversary, we honour all those men and women of friendly countries, the USA and the EU, who strongly supported our just and humane cause in defense of the universal principles of freedom and equality. Upon these principles, we built the state of Kosovo, with an ambition to become part of the democratic states and societies in which the civic principle is its founding stone, and in which religious and ethnic differences constitute the wealth and the values of the state. This vision promotes tolerance, understanding and peace and, above all, guarantees everyone freedom and equal rights in order to build a better future. Every anniversary, year after year, we marked the achievements and the challenges reached on our path towards fulfilling this vision of freedom and democracy; for a democratic state of Kosovo; a state for all of its citisens; a promoter of peace and stability; a land of opportunities and an equal member of the family of free nations. Therefore, the independence of Kosovo is irreversible and untouchable in every part of its territory and for every equal citisen; it is a reality recognised by the world, an important factor of the neighbourly relations in the region. This is our state; with a clear ambition to become part of the European Union and NATO, and by all means all other international organisations. Nevertheless, there still remains a considerable road ahead in order to consolidate our democracy, to establish rule of law and order in all parts of the territory of our Republic, and to build an incorrupt state. Difficulties faced by our country today are the difficulties of transition with which other countries of the democratic world had to deal with, which quite often slow down the democratic processes and the integrative journey. However, we have demonstrated that we remain faithful to our vision and ideal of an advanced and progressive state, and we stand together in fulfilling this vision. Honourable citisens, The sixth anniversary finds us with a more consolidated democracy, continuously endeavouring to make the economy of our country more developed and, by all means, dedicated to the advancement of processes which lead us to European integration. Six years of statehood stand for years of endeavours towards the creation of an all inclusive state, where each and everyone enjoys their rights and where responsibilities and obligations, as well as the benefits of a wealthy and an advanced state, are equal. The history of violence and conflicts, of hegemony and repression, has ended and has opened the path of integration and cooperation; a path of mutual respect and understanding; a path of building a better future. Kosovo is a state of all of its citisens, regardless of who; joined in their common aim of EU integration, an unshakeable aspiration of our people. On this sixth anniversary, when we get together to celebrate our achievements, we need to remember that the present is basis of the future. Therefore, we aim to build a state of law, a state where law rules and where each citisen feels safe and equal. We still have a lot to do on our path of state building. We still have to demonstrate that our democracy will develop by laying foundations of a clean, incorrupt state of law; a state developed in all relevant fields. We must open our perspective through the expansion of broad reforms, which will enable the faster progress of our country on the path to integration; reforms, however hard and painful, allow for a better future. We must create the necessary conditions for economic and foreign development, which will help the young generations contribute for their country. This is the burden and the task of all of us - Citizens of the Republic of Kosovo- who love this country. Hence, it is a joint responsibility of ours to lay this foundation of developed democracy and to advance our European integration processes. The present is in our own hands and we shall build it together. As we are at this celebration of our State’s holiday. Minority MPs want extension of reserved seats (Koha Ditore) Minority deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo are considering requesting a parliamentary debate on reserved seats. This remains one of the options, after the Constitutional Court refused to consider the request of 20 minority deputies on reserved seats. One of the 20 deputies who requested the interpretation of the Constitution, deputy Enis Kervan, stated that they would continue to request another mandate for reserved seats in the Assembly. He added that the contribution of these deputies since the declaration of interdependence should be valued. The debate on reserved seats has divided parties at the Assembly. PDK, AAK and AKR are for the extension of reserved seats for another mandate, while LDK and Vetevendosje are against. Election campaign in the north begins today (Koha Ditore) While Kosovo celebrates its independence, the election campaign for Mitrovica North mayor starts today. Elections for this municipality will be conducted on 23 February as the previously-elected mayor, Krstimir Pantic, lost the mandate after refusing to take the oath according to Kosovo laws. The election campaign in this municipality will last only five days. There are four candidates running for Mitrovica North mayor. Two are from the Serb community, with the favourite being Oliver Ivanovic from the civic initiative “Serbia, Democracy and Justice”. Goran Rakic from the List Serbia, Florent Azemi from PDK and Musa Miftari from LDK are also in the running.