Headlines - 20.03.2014 Thaçi: Comparisons to Crimea, nonsense (Tribuna) Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi said on Wednesday that Crimea’s annexation by Russia and Kosovo’s separation from Serbia cannot be compared and that “recent efforts to draw parallels between the two are unsustainable”. In an interview for BNE, Thaçi also ruled out allegations that he led a criminal gang involved in human organ trafficking. General elections on May 25 (Kosova Sot) Sources told the paper that PDK leader Hashim Thaçi and LDK leader Isa Mustafa agreed for parliamentary elections to be held on May 25. The agreement will reportedly be communicated to leaders of other political parties in the coming days. The paper also notes that political parties are planning to leave out the majority of current MPs from their election lists in order to make room for fresh faces in the new Parliament. Thaçi uses false arguments to justify pay rise (Koha Ditore) Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi insisted that the decision to increase salaries of public servants will not reflect on the increase of consumption prices. He argued that the 2013 pay raise did not affect prices. However, the paper claims that the 2010 decision was reached at the end of the year and was enforced in March of 2011, and the figures from the Kosovo Central Bank indicate that the level of inflation in 2011 was higher than 3.5 percent, which PM Thaçi presented. Thaçi’s recent statement comes as a reaction to allegations that the Government’s decision to increase salaries will lead to an increase in inflation. Recognition by Slovakia, Romania and Greece expected (Tribuna) The Dutch Ambassador in Kosovo, Robert Bosch, said that Greece, Slovakia and Romania will recognise Kosovo. “Three from the five EU countries that have not recognised Kosovo – Greece, Rumania and Slovakia – will do so,” Ambassador Bosch told RTK. He expects that, with the new Government in Serbia, the problems between the two territories will be resolved in a near future. The Dutch Ambassador said that they are discussing extending EULEX’s mandate in Brussels. Chancellor Merkel’s party foundation criticises PDK (Koha Ditore) Konrad Adenauer, the German foundation of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) led by Chancellor Angela Merkel published a paper noting that Kosovo failed to complete its homework while under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). For example, the Foundation mentions the failure to reform the election law, which would guarantee elections according to international standards. It noted that PDK was “extremely weakened” from the departure of two of its most prominent figures, Jakup Krasniqi and Fatmir Limaj, and, although the party hopes to enjoy the support of its faithful electorate, everyone noticed the poor economic situation, high unemployment figures, the problem of corruption, and shortcomings in healthcare. Furthermore, PDK failed to achieve the goal it aspired to a great deal: visa liberalisation. With regards to other parties, the report claims that the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has managed to win certain important municipalities in the recent local elections and could be successful if it manages to use PDK’s weaknesses to mobilise the electorate. The Alliance for Future of Kosovo survives by the charismatic personality of its leader, Ramush Haradinaj, who, according to the report, has not yet decided whether he fights or supports the PDK. As for Vetevendosje, the Foundation considers that the victory of Shpend Ahmeti in Pristina will be a major test for the party, which “leans between progressive movements and extreme nationalist views.” Protest with reinforcements from Brussels (Zeri) Thousands of citisens are expected to call for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Hashim Thaci in a protest scheduled for 21 March. According to the protest organiser, Fehim Cela from the “Go Away, Hashim” movement, citisens from all over Kosovo have expressed readiness to join the protest tomorrow and bus transport has been organised for them. Cela said the protest will be peaceful and, apart from citisens from Kosovo, “reinforcements” from Brussels are already en route to Pristina. Hodzic awaits instructions from Government (Tribuna) Adriana Hodzic, head of the Kosovo Government’s administrative office in the north, has yet to receive instructions from the central government for transferring competencies to the new municipality of northern Mitrovica. Hodzic met with mayor Rakic and agreed to continue providing certain civil services until the new municipality establishes respective directorates and departments. “As far as procedures and the timeline of transition are concerned, I don’t have an action plan from the government,” Hodzic said. “The moment that the ministry and the government of Kosovo express readiness, I am ready to hand over my duties.”