Headlines - 02.02.2017

• No agreement after high-level meeting between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Opposition: Government failed to demolish the wall, it must resign (media)
• U.S. determined to keep stability in Kosovo (Gazeta Metro)
• Three steps before Special Court can become operational (Koha)
• Decision on Haradinaj, after a week (Zëri)
• Demolli: We must continue our good relations with Montenegro (Epoka)
• Rahovec receives a donated vehicle from UNMIK (Epoka)

No agreement after high-level meeting between Kosovo and Serbia (media)

All media report that the high-level meeting between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels on Wednesday ended without an agreement. A diplomatic source in Brussels, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Deutsche Welle that “the meeting went terribly wrong and had no results”. Koha Ditore reports on its front page that Kosovo and Serbia leaders did not make any statements following the meeting. EU High Representative Federica Mogherini thanked the parties for their readiness to dialogue and said that this contributes to the lowering of tensions. Mogherini said: “together with Presidents Hashim Thaci and Tomislav Nikolic and Prime Ministers Aleksandar Vucic and Isa Mustafa I had another high level meeting of the Dialogue for normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. In our meeting today we followed up on the discussions we had in the Dialogue on 24 January. I am encouraged by the constructive engagement shown by both sides. This commitment and political will contributes significantly to reducing tensions and we will continue to work in this spirit. The Dialogue is a very important process for Serbia and Kosovo, but also for the region and the European Union. Progressing in the normalisation of relations is key for both to preserve peace and advance towards the European Union. It is essential for Europe and for regional stability. All participants today reconfirmed their full commitment to working together within the Dialogue. I would like to thank all participants, Presidents Thaci and Nikolic and Prime Ministers Vucic and Mustafa for the frank and constructive discussion we had”. Koha Ditore quotes unnamed sources in the EU as saying that other high-level meetings are expected in order to move things forward. Citing its sources, Epoka e Re reports that the leaders discussed the wall in Mitrovica North, the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the agreement on the judiciary.

Opposition: Government failed to demolish the wall, it must resign (media)

Several media report that the Vetevendosje Movement, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo and Initiative for Kosovo called on the Kosovo government to resign as it failed to respect the Kosovo Assembly’s resolution for demolishing the wall in Mitrovica North by January 31. The opposition parties said in a joint statement that by failing to implement the resolution, the government has violated democracy and that the best solution is for the government to resign and for Kosovo to go to early national elections.

U.S. determined to keep stability in Kosovo (Gazeta Metro)

Damon Wilson, U.S. foreign policy advisor and the current executive vice president at the Atlantic Council of the United States, said that the U.S. will continue to support constructive discussions between Pristina and Belgrade, which induce the process of reconciliation. “I think that you will not see any hesitation on America’s persistence to engage on security and stability in Kosovo,” Wilson said. He added that it is important for the leaders of both countries to engage in the process mediated by the EU.

Three steps before Special Court can become operational (Koha)

Avis Benesh, information officer for the Specialised Chambers, told the paper on Wednesday that three steps are needed before the special court can become operational: the appointment of judges, the plenary session during which the judges would work on the adoption of the regulation on procedures and evidence, and the review of this regulation by the Constitutional Court. Unnamed sources told the paper that the international judges will be appointed the latest by early next week, which implies that the special court could become operational in spring.

Decision on Haradinaj, after a week (Zëri)

Ramush Haradinaj’s lawyer, Arianit Koci, informed that the French Court in Colmare, is expected to announce its final verdict on whether Ramush Haradinaj would be extradited to Belgrade or not in a week, respectively on 9 February. Haradinaj was detained by French authorities about a month ago, based on an arrest warrant from Serbia. During the session on Wednesday, Serbia submitted a file with additional charges.

Demolli: We must continue our good relations with Montenegro (Epoka)

Kosovo Security Force Minister, Haki Demolli, met on Wednesday with the Montenegrin Ambassador to Kosovo, Ferhat Dinosha. Demolli said Kosovo needs to continue its good relations with Montenegro.

Rahovec receives a donated vehicle from UNMIK (Epoka)

The Rahovec municipality received on Wednesday a vehicles as donation from the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). The donation was received by Xhemali Haxhimustafa, deputy mayor of Rahovec Municipality. He expresses appreciation to the UNMIK officials and said that all Rahovec Municipality employees would benefit from this donation. The vehicle is used but it is in a good technical condition. UNMIK has recently donated a number of cars to Kosovo municipalities.