Headlines - 18.07.2018

• Kosovo-Serbia dialogue set to resume today in Brussels (dailies)
• EC to confirm today implementation of visa liberalisation criteria (Koha Ditore)
• Veseli: We deserve visa liberalisation by the end of the year (RTK)
• EU: There is no wall at River Iber bridge (RFE)
• Kosovo FM Pacolli planning to attend event in Serbia (Klan Kosova)
• KDI calls on political parties to hold extraordinary session on dialogue (RTK)
• LDK, VV do not sign initiative for special Assembly session on dialogue (RTK)
• KSF to be equipped with U.S. military vehicles (media)
• Court convicts eight Kosovo men for taking part in Syria conflict (Koha)
• Government approves programme paving way for power plant construction (Koha)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Kosovo-Serbia dialogue set to resume today in Brussels (dailies)

Most papers today are looking ahead to the meetings Kosovo delegation will have today in Brussels, with the first group consisting of President Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli, Deputy Prime Ministers Behgjet Pacolli, Fatmir Limaj and Dardan Gashi set to meet the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini while President Thaci is expected to meet later on President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic. PM Haradinaj said before leaving for Brussels that the main topics of discussions with Mogherini will include Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), dialogue with Serbia, and visa liberalisation. Haradinaj also said that the composition of the Kosovo delegation is very significant. “The fact that all institutional leaders will be there carries the message that Kosovo is stable and functional,” Haradinaj is quoted in Epoka e Re. He is also reported to have said that Kosovo will not return empty-handed from Brussels. Meanwhile, Koha Ditore on the cover reports that although there is no platform agreed beforehand concerning the dialogue with Serbia, the government of Kosovo has listed topics which it said will not discuss. In a written response, the government said it will not accept discussing Kosovo’s independence, including its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

EC to confirm today implementation of visa liberalisation criteria (Koha/Zeri)

Following the meeting of the College of Commissioners, the European Commission is expected to confirm today that Kosovo has met all requirements for visa liberalisation, Koha Ditore reports. It adds however that the European Commission’s assessment is only one step to full liberalisation and that the process is not likely to end this year. Zeri also reports that the European Commission will today announce visa liberalisation recommendation.

Veseli: We deserve visa liberalisation by the end of the year (RTK)

Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli, expressed optimism with regards to visa liberalization, prior to his travelling for Brussels. “We deserve to have liberalisation of visas by the end of the year. But the decision will by all means be made by the European Union. There is still work to be done and we are working intensively,” Veseli said.

EU: There is no wall at River Iber bridge (RFE)

The Office of the European Union in Pristina informed Radio Free Europe that the recent construction works by the River Iber in Mitrovica are in accordance with the reached agreements between Kosovo and Serbia and that no dividing wall is being built there. Media in Kosovo reported during the past days that a new wall is being built close to the River Iber bridge with the intention of dividing Albanians and Serbs. “The plan of the roundabout in northern part of Mitrovica is a result of the agreement signed in Pristina on 4 February 2017 and in accordance with the Brussels agreement signed on 25 August 2015. This will connect the EU project for revitalization of the bridge in Mitrovica and the buildings around, as well as the project to make the “Kralj Petar” square passable for pedestrians,” replied this Office. “All works are expected to conclude by the end of this month,” was stressed in their statement.

Kosovo FM Pacolli planning to attend event in Serbia (Klan Kosova)

Klan Kosova has reported that Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli could be visiting Serbia if authorities there grant him permission to attend an event organised by the National Bosniak Council in Novi Pazar.  Pacolli said he would accept the invitation if Serbian authorities allow him to travel.

KDI calls on political parties to hold extraordinary session on dialogue (RTK)

Kosovo Democratic Institute thinktank issued a press release which hails the initiative of the Social-Democratic Party’s parliamentary group to hold an extraordinary session on the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and calls on Assembly political parties to mobilise and gather required signatures required for this session. “Kosovo Assembly MPs, as representatives of the population cannot avoid responsibilities related to the future of the process, while the other institutions with their actions should not avoid the role of the Assembly in this state-important process,” is written in the KDI’s communiques. According to KDI, Kosovo’s platform should be determined at the Assembly of Kosovo, by giving legitimacy to this process through a resolution that would set Kosovo’s red lines.

LDK, VV do not sign initiative for special Assembly session on dialogue (RTK)

Deputy President of the Assembly of Kosovo and MP of the Social-Democratic Party, Aida Derguti, spoke about the initiative of her political party to hold an extraordinary session for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue platform. She said that the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and Vetevendosje Movement did not give the required signatures to call the session. According to her, lack of such a session enables President Hashim Thaci “going to Brussels as he always did.” “We are ready if they want to undertake this initiative. They do not sign this initiative only because it is our initiative. Then we willingly give it to any of them. But let us look into this important matter for Kosovo and debate it prior to Hashim Thaci’s leaving for Brussels,” Derguti said.

KSF to be equipped with U.S. military vehicles (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj and the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delawie, signed on Tuesday a contract for equipment of the Kosovo Security Force with High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), from the U.S. “AM General” company. Haradinaj said increase of technical capacities of the KSF is showing each day that this force is advancing according to NATO standards.

Court convicts eight Kosovo men for taking part in Syria conflict (Koha)

The Basic Court in Pristina has convicted eight Kosovo men accused of participating in the Syrian conflict and for organising terrorist groups to a total of 18 years in prison. The accused are not expected to serve the prison sentence until a ruling of a higher court and vowed to appeal the decision.

Government approves programme paving way for power plant construction (Koha)

The government of Kosovo has approved the programme for implementing a two-year energy strategy which paves way for the construction of the “Kosova e Re” coal-fired plant. The programme, covering the 2018-2020 period, outlines activities that will ensure sustainable supply of energy, the government said.