Kosovo and Serbia expect green light from EU today (dailies)

European Union ministers will have in front of them today a draft with conclusions that they will need to adopt if Kosovo and Serbia are to get the green light to move closer to the European Union. In Kosovo’s case, this implies a half step – the start of negotiations for the Stabilization Association Agreement, without prejudging the positions of member states vis-à-vis Kosovo’s status. Serbia meanwhile is expecting a historic decision: the start of membership negotiations.

Koha Ditore claims to have seen a draft of the proposed conclusions. EU diplomats said they don’t expect problems with the draft text on Kosovo, but they did not rule out the possibility that Germany will request changes in the text for Serbia.

In order to help Serbia, intense efforts were made to reach agreements in Brussels on telecom, the amnesty law and several other issues. EU diplomats told the paper that on Monday parties reach an agreement on telecom and that perhaps they would announce the agreement on Tuesday.

The paper also reports that the Council is expected to announce the start of SAA negotiations with Kosovo, and decide on the date for the start of membership talks with Serbia. The latter decision would have to be approved by the summit of the European Council on Friday.

Parliament to discuss ratification of Kosovo – Serbia agreement (dailies)

The chairmanship of the Kosovo Parliament decided on Monday that in Thursday’s regular session MPs would discuss the bill for the ratification of the Kosovo-Serbia agreement. Members of the chairmanship reportedly had different positions whether the agreement should be called an international agreement and if the implementation plan should be approved. The issues were left to be decided by members of parliament.

Official appointment of police commander in the north postponed (Koha)

Although the Kosovo Government said the Kosovo Police commander for the north would be appointed on Monday, Kosovo Police director Shpend Maxhuni did not make the decision, saying that consultations on the matter are ongoing. Meanwhile, Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic keeps insisting that the name of the police commander for the north has already been decided in dialogue between prime ministers Thaçi and Dacic.

Opposition: November 3^rd is unacceptable (Koha Ditore)

The proposal from Brussels for local elections in Kosovo to be held on November 3^rd has led President Atifete Jahjaga to consult one last time with leaders of political parties. The paper recalls that Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic was the first to mention November 3^rd as the date for local elections. On the other hand, representatives of the Kosovo Government said the European Union suggested this date. Officials at the Office of the President of Kosovo said Jahjaga would consult political leaders on the date of elections.

Opposition representatives meanwhile criticized Jahjaga for her delays. LDK leader Isa Mustafa said, “President Jahjaga is not doing her job, because she promised she would announce the date of elections the latest by October 20^th. We are overly concerned by such behavior, because elections are very important … We find it unacceptable to hold elections on November 3^rd, because this is manipulation of elections”. Mustafa said that if November 3^rd is part of the agreement, the LDK would reconsider its support for the agreement with Serbia.

The Vetëvendosje Movement said Jahjaga is now left to implement Dacic’s decision, despite the fact that almost all political parties prefer a different date. “Local elections in Kosovo were announced by Serbia’s Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, despite the fact that the Constitution of Kosovo provides that one of the key responsibilities of the Kosovo President is to announce parliamentary and local elections in Kosovo,” the Vetëvendosje communiqué said.

A completely different idea (dailies)

Kosovo Parliament Speaker Jakup Krasniqi said on Monday evaluated that local election wouldn’t be free in case they are going to be held on 3 November. In this context, Krasniqi proposed that local elections should be postponed to spring next year because of the failure to finalize election reforms and budgetary costs. “The election reform is not finished yet. Elections are not announced yet. The time is unsuitable and does not guarantee free elections,” Krasniqi said.

Kurti calls minister Hoxhaj irresponsible (dailies)

Albin Kurti, chairman of Kosovo Parliament’s committee on foreign affairs, said on Monday that Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj was irresponsible in cancelling his participation at the committee’s session. Hoxhaj was scheduled to report to the committee but then postponed it. “It is irresponsible to confirm his participation on Friday but then cancel it on Monday. How is it possible that he was not informed about his travelling plans on Friday afternoon?” Kurti asked.