Headlines - 25.03.2017

• “Internationals fear the prospect of spring elections in Kosovo” (Koha Ditore)
• “Kosovo army to be set up through international coordination” (Kosova Sot)
• “Decision on Serbian elections in line with Kosovo Constitution” (KP)
• Gecaj: Association, demarcation and army will not be in one package (Zeri)
• Haradinaj case: Serbian authorities submit replies to French court (Zeri) 

Kosovo Media Highlights 

“Internationals fear the prospect of spring elections in Kosovo” (Koha Ditore)

On the front page the paper quotes sources saying that the international community is fearing the prospect of early elections in Kosovo in springtime as this is the time when first indictments of the Specialist Chambers are expected. This is feared could generate tensions during the election campaign and even affect the poll results. “Internationals see a problem if people that are on election lists could be arrested or even perhaps those who won MP mandates,” the source said adding that this concern has also been conveyed to the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Kadri Veseli, who has already launched a mobilizing campaign of the party’s membership across Kosovo. 

“Kosovo army to be set up through international coordination” (Kosova Sot)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said that the draft law on transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) will be submitted to Assembly within the legal timeframe but added that the transformation will take place in full cooperation with international partners. 

“Decision on Serbian elections in line with Kosovo Constitution” (Kosovapress)

President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, said in an excerpt of an interview to Kosovapress which is going to be published tomorrow that the decision on whether Serbian presidential elections will take place in the territory of Kosovo will be taken in line with the Constitution of Kosovo and in coordination with international community. Thaci however said it is a “paradox” that on one hand Kosovo Serbs are boycotting Kosovo institutions and on the other they are requesting the possibility of organizing Serbian presidential elections in Kosovo.   

Gecaj: Association, demarcation and army will not be in one package (Zeri)

Advisor to Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa, Bajram Gecaj, dismissed reports that the creation of a Kosovo army could be included in a single package along with the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the ratification of border demarcation agreement with Montenegro in order to secure the support of the Serbian List. Gecaj told Lajmi that the issues are not interlinked and cannot be grouped together in one package.

Haradinaj case: Serbian authorities submit replies to French court (Zeri)

The Serbian Ministry of Justice has submitted to the French court in Colmar responses regarding the extradition request for the former Kosovo prime minister and leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, ahead of the hearing session scheduled for 6 April.