Headlines - 24.06.2014 Barricade must be resolved through dialogue (Koha) The Kosovo Police, EULEX and KFOR issued a joint statement on Monday saying that the problem of the barricade on the Iber/Ibar Bridge in Mitrovica must be resolved only through dialogue. The statement also calls on the population on both sides of the city of Mitrovica to refrain from unilateral actions that could threaten peace and stability. The paper notes that Brussels, which guarantees dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, has yet to comment on Sunday’s protest. EU officials only told the paper that they are closely following developments in Mitrovica. “We expect both parties to respect their commitment for normalization of relations and for implementing all agreements reached in the EU-brokered dialogue,” Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, was quoted as saying. Mitrovica mayor Agim Bahtiri, who argued on Saturday that the barricade needs to be removed at all cost, said on Monday that the protest escalated because coordinated groups incited violence. “A large number of these people were not from Mitrovica. They made earlier preparations for such actions and their aim was not to remove the barricade but rather to cause violence, attack law enforcement authorities and to destroy public property,” Bahtiri said. EU against unilateral actions (Lajm) Following recent developments in Mitrovica, the European Union on Monday called for a solution to the barricade problem on Iber/Ibar Bridge and warned both sides that they should refrain from unilateral steps that could threaten security. Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, said any act of violence is unacceptable and warned parties to be careful in their actions. “A solution needs to be found together with due respect to previous agreements, including the agreement on freedom of movement. Unilateral steps do not contribute to normalization and lasting security,” Kocijancic said. Haradinaj: A future without barricades (Lajm) Commenting on the violent protest in Mitrovica on Sunday, AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj said it was a hasty action and said that maintaining calm is very important. Haradinaj added that, in the future, there would be no peace park or barricades. Tahiri: Everyone in favor of removing the barricade (Epoka e Re) Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri said on Monday that Washington and Brussels have asked Belgrade to remove the barricade on the Iber/Ibar Bridge. Tahiri said, if Belgrade fails to comply, this would threaten Serbia’s European prospects. She also warned that if international diplomacy and dialogue do not produce any results, then Pristina will undertake all measures to remove the barricade and secure freedom of movement for all communities. Haradinaj: Coalition with Vetevendosje heading in right direction (Koha) Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said on Monday he would meet during the week with Vetevendosje representatives to discuss terms they have presented in exchange for supporting the creation of the government by the opposition coalition. Asked if there are good signs that the Vetevendosje Movement could join the coalition, Haradinaj said he believes “we are heading in the right direction”. Vetevendosje wants a dialogue based on principles (Tribuna) Senior officials of Vetevendosje, Visar Ymeri and Puhie Demaku, yesterday met the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar. The meeting focused on developments in Kosovo following elections and the stances of Vetevendosje regarding the new government. “Kosovo needs to economically develop from inside and develop policies that stress the fight against corruption. Of course, we are not against dialogue in principle but we believe there should be some principles upon which this dialogue would be based”, said Ymeri after the meeting. Dialogue a condition for future ruling coalition (Tribuna) On the front page, the paper reports that there are increasing requests from the international community for the formation of a broad-based coalition between the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), as all of these have expressed support for continuation of dialogue with Serbia. EU observers monitoring the recount of votes (Lajm) The paper reports that a team of EU observers is closely monitoring the recount of over 400 ballot boxes, because of discrepancies in data. EU observers have not commented on the process saying that they would present their findings in a final report that will be ready in two months. Kosovapress reported that the recount will be finished on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. NDI supports development of democracy in Kosovo (Lajm) Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga met on Monday with Howard Dean, Member of the Board of Directors of the National Democratic Institute (NDI). They discussed current developments in Kosovo, the process of statehood consolidation and the development of democracy. The Office of the President issued a statement saying that Jahjaga expressed gratitude for NDI’s contribution to the democratization of institutions and political parties in Kosovo.