Headlines - 23.09.2015

Mustafa: No return to point zero in any of the agreements (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa told RTK on Tuesday evening that the opposition’s decision to throw eggs at him during the Assembly session is not a good sign for democracy. “The MPs must reflect a culture of democracy, room for dialogue and exchange opinions ... I went to the Assembly today to explain to the MPs and the people all the elements of agreements reached in Brussels. Unfortunately I was prevented from doing so, despite the fact that no one has the right to deny the Prime Minister from giving explanations to the people. This is not a good sign but I think we will overcome this very soon,” he said. Asked to comment on the opposition’s request to annul the agreement on the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro, Mustafa said: “There’s no return to point zero in any of the agreements. The law on the ratification of agreements is binding both for the government and the opposition. The agreements reached contribute to stability in Kosovo and the region and they pave the way to our European integration”. Mustafa also warned that “if we block processes that are supported by the United States of America and the European Union, then Serbia will take advantage of this vacuum. But we won’t allow this to happen because the government is committed to pushing forward Kosovo’s projects. We also have challenges in terms of visa liberalization and membership in international organizations.”

Thaci to opposition: Power is won only by votes (Epoka)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Hashim Thaci, said on Wednesday that behavior of the opposition parties at the Assembly of Kosovo is not beneficial for Kosovo people. Thaci wrote on his Facebook page that Kosovo’s Assembly, Prime Minister and the entire government of Kosovo was undermined on Tuesday. He added that opposition is not ready to face the power of arguments; therefore, it is seeking to use the argument of force. “At the time when Kosovo is being praised by friends for promotion of dialogue and stability, the opposition of Kosovo is doing the opposite by stopping dialogue and seeking instability,” Thaci wrote.

Delawie: Respect democratic procedures (Epoka)

The Ambassador of the United States of America in Kosovo, Greg Delawie reacted after the scenes caused by the opposition parties at the Assembly of Kosovo on Tuesday. He wrote on his Twitter account that “Kosovo’s path to Euro-Atlantic integration requires respect for democratic procedures and regional cooperation, not political stunts.”

Thaci: No early elections, I will become president in 2016 (Indeksonline)

In an interview for Klan Kosova, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaci said the ruling coalition agreement between his Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is going well and there will be no early elections. He also said that, as stipulated by the coalition agreement, he will become the next president of Kosovo in 2016 when the mandate of Atifete Jahjaga runs through. Speaking about latest developments at the Assembly, Thaci said the action of the opposition was “not pretty.” “That behaviour is not part of our tradition or the experience of the political spectrum in Kosovo. Eggs are a product of the lack of arguments in facing the government,” said Thaci. He said that the demand of the opposition to withdraw the signatures put on the agreement for establishing Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities is the most ridiculous thing that can be asked of the Kosovo government.

O’Connell understands people’s concerns (dailies)

British Ambassador to Kosovo Ruairi O’Connell took to Facebook to comment on yesterday’s incident at the Assembly of Kosovo saying that dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is an important part of the normalisation of relations. “I understand that people have concerns,” he wrote adding that it is important for the Assembly to resume its session. “That’s democracy in action,” wrote O’Connell.

KDI warns of deteriorating situation in Kosovo (Kosova Sot)

The Kosovo Democratic Institute think tank reacted to yesterday’s events at the Assembly of Kosovo where opposition representatives threw eggs at the members of the government by calling for an end to practices which prevent functioning of parliamentary life. In a press statement the KDI said the actions of MPs at the Assembly could very easily spill onto the streets leading to possible incidents. It further urged all political stakeholders to show restraint and exercise their duties within the given mandate.

Sami Lushtaku arrested in Pristina (Koha)

The paper reports in one of its front-page stories that Sami Lushtaku was arrested on Tuesday afternoon in Pristina after guardians that sent him to Pristina Hospital for medical treatment, lost sight of him. Lushtaku was arrested outside the hospital premises by EULEX Police who has been following his movements for several months now. Lushtaku is serving a 12-year sentence for war crimes. An unnamed source told the paper that at 14:00 on Tuesday prison guardians notified the Correctional Service that they could not find Lushtaku. “Correctional Service officers contacted EULEX, and the latter said ‘we have arrested him’,” the source said. A spokesman for the EU mission said following a request by the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo, the EULEX executive police and Kosovo Police arrested Lushtaku in a joint operation.

Ternava: Anti-terror strategy prevents violent extremism (Epoka)

In a front-page interview for the paper, the head of the Islamic Community of Kosovo (BIK), Naim Ternava, voiced several remarks over the amendments to the law on religious freedoms adopted by the Kosovo government. Ternava said BIK wants a law that recognizes religions, traditional religious communities and that preserves the spiritual, cultural and religious heritage created for centuries. “The draft adopted by the government is not the one we were expecting,” he said. Ternava also said he supports the adoption of the strategy to prevent violent extremism and radicalism that leads to terrorism. He said the document shows best that Kosovo’s institutions have understood their mission to protect the people and youth from influences that lead to violent extremism and consequently terrorism.