Headlines - 24.05.2017

• U.S. and OSCE call on parties to stop political intimidation (Kosova Sot)
• LDK publishes election ballot (Zeri/Bota Sot)
• Thousands of Kosovo immigrants could be unable to vote (Kosova Sot/RFE)
• Simic: We serve neither Thaci nor Haradinaj (RTK)
• President Thaci: Commissioner Hahn cares only about Serbia (Koha)
• EU diplomats concerned over destruction of Prizren cultural heritage (Koha)
• PAK endorses study report on Trepca’s feasibility (Epoka)

U.S. and OSCE call on parties to stop political intimidation (Kosova Sot)

The U.S. Embassy in Kosovo and the OSCE have called on political parties in Kosovo to stop any kind of political intimidation ahead of parliamentary elections set to take place on 11 June. “Kosovo candidates have a fundamental, democratic right to wage campaigns based on their highest ideals for the future of this society and must be able to do so free from intimidation and threats,” a joint U.S.-OSCE statement reads.

LDK publishes election ballot (Zeri/Bota Sot)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has published the names of its candidates for upcoming elections, the papers report. Zeri notes that the party “snubbed” some of its senior officials by ranking them at the bottom of the ballot while newcomers were listed higher up. The paper reports that some LDK officials have blamed party leader Isa Mustafa for the move saying that he was taking acting in retaliation to those MPs who opposed the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. Such is the case with former LDK MP Shpejtim Bulliqi, one of the staunchest opponents of the demarcation agreement. Another striking feature of the LDK ballot is the decision to put Vjosa Osmani, one of the most voted female candidates in last elections, on the 81 slot. Meanwhile, Bota Sot quotes LDK spokesperson Arban Abrashi saying that while many politicians are worried about their ballot ranking, LDK is instead focused on creating a team that will work for the good of Kosovo.

Thousands of Kosovo immigrants could be unable to vote (Kosova Sot/RFE)

Kosovo residents living abroad have not been offered adequate opportunities to vote in Kosovo elections, said Albert Krasniqi from the Kosovo Democratic Institute. Krasniqi said the Central Election Commission (CEC) failed to rightly address demands for voting. “What the CEC should have done is to set up an electronic database where citizens could apply and not to have them send their applications through e-mail of regular post,” Krasniqi said.

Simic: We serve neither Thaci nor Haradinaj (RTK)

Slavko Simic, leader of the Serbian List, said on Monday that his party is “a national project that implements the policies of the Serbian government”, and that Kosovo Serbs should gather around this party. Simic said other Serb political parties were formed to serve Hashim Thaci and Ramush Haradinaj. He added that since the creation of the Serbian List, he coordinates all his work with the Serbian Government. “People should see the seriousness of the situation and the legitimacy of the members of the Serbian List,” Simic said.

President Thaci: Commissioner Hahn cares only about Serbia (Koha)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci made serious accusations against the European Union and in particular against EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn. In an interview to APA, Thaci said “the European Union currently lacks vision and courage”. “While Federica Mogherini is at least trying to maintain the pace of relations with the Western Balkans, Commissioner Hahn is regrettably not even present. Commissioner Hahn cares only about Serbia and no other country in the Western Balkans,” Thaci said. He added that “Russia will take advantage of the lack of leadership in the EU and try to destabilize the Balkans”. “The region cannot be seen only as a technical issue, but also as a strategic one. If the EU acts in a more strategic and active manner, it will not leave room for Russia’s attempts to destabilize the region,” Thaci said.

EU diplomats concerned over destruction of Prizren cultural heritage (Koha)

European diplomats in Kosovo expressed their concern over the destruction of cultural heritage at the Prizren historical center and called on Kosovo authorities to protect this special zone, the paper reports on the front page. EU Head of Office Nataliya Apostolova, EULEX chief Alexandra Papadopoulou, heads of embassies of EU member states, visited Prizren following an invitation by civil society activists. Apostolova told reporters that Prizren is one of the most emblematic cities in Kosovo and that preserving cultural heritage is one of the key values of the European Union. “During our brief walk, we unfortunately saw examples of destruction of cultural heritage and this is very concerning,” she said. Apostolova also called on Kosovo’s institutional leaders to pay special attention to preserving cultural heritage. “Seeing that some spaces have been turned into parking lots and hotels, we are concerned and we call on the future leaders and political parties, which are drafting their platform and asking for the votes of the people, to keep in mind how important cultural heritage is.”

PAK endorses study report on Trepca’s feasibility (Epoka)

The Board of Directors at the Privatisation Agency of Kosovo (PAK), held on Tuesday an extraordinary meeting making important decisions on the privatization process and conclusion of the liquidation of Kosovo’s socially owned enterprises. The Board of Directors discussed the report submitted by the international contracted company engaged on studying the feasibility of the Trepca mining complex. According to the PAK steering committee, the report fulfills the criteria and specifics set out in the terms of reference, and endorsed the report. PAK is in the process of engaging experts for an independent assessment of this study, which would offer sustainable grounds for further decisions of the government of Kosovo and other stakeholders, according to the Law on Trepca.