Headlines - 25.05.2017

• Mustafa: Kosovo committed to European perspective (Bota Sot)
• EU chief in Pristina responds to President Thaci’s criticism (Koha)
• Analysts: Visa liberalisation in 90 days, impossible (Zeri)
• Demolli: Serb representatives had four conditions for army creation (Klan)
• Supreme Court acquits NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj (dailies)
• Yee in Belgrade: U.S. will defend its allies in the Balkans (Koha)
• Vucic: Haradinaj most probably Prime Minister, problems for Serbia (Koha)
• Kosovo man believed killed in Syria (dailies)
• Decision to apply at UNESCO, in hands of new government (Epoka)

Mustafa: Kosovo committed to European perspective (Bota Sot)

Outgoing Kosovo Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, met the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and said he assured her of Kosovo’s commitment to European integration. “Despite having entered the election process, we will pursue the road leading to European perspective,” Mustafa said. He said that as leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), he would continue supporting processes initiated during his prime ministerial mandate like the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the dialogue with Belgrade.

EU chief in Pristina responds to President Thaci’s criticism (Koha)

Natalia Apostolova, head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, told the paper on Wednesday that Kosovo’s politicians have repeatedly failed to ratify the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. “Politicians in Pristina are regrettably responsible for the lack of progress in visa liberalisation as they have repeatedly failed to ratify the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. The visa liberalisation criteria are clear and they have not changed,” Apostolova said. Her remarks come as a response to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci’s latest statements during his visit to Austria when he accused the EU for lack of vision and courage. Thaci also said that the demarcation criteria was unrightfully set as a condition for Kosovo. Apostolova also said: “We understand that Kosovo is now in a pre-election phase and that it can be used to shift the attention elsewhere and search for a scapegoat abroad. But we hope that after the elections there will be a strong political support for Kosovo’s path toward the EU which translates in concrete actions and meeting of requirements. This is what the people of Kosovo rightfully expect from their leaders”.

Analysts: Visa liberalisation in 90 days, impossible (Zeri)

Political analysts say that the promise given by the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj that, if elected prime minister, visa liberalisation for Kosovo will happen in three months’ time is impossible to come about. International relations professor, Dashnim Ismajli, said such a promise is “not serious” and “impossible” and that it only goes towards lessening the citizens’ trust with institutions of Kosovo.  At the same time, analyst Fatmir Arifi said election promises made by candidates are not grounded and “objective”.

Demolli: Serb representatives had four conditions for army creation (Klan)

The outgoing Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Minister, Haki Demolli, said in an interview to Klan Kosova TV that the Serbian List had four conditions to vote in favour of KSF transformation into an army. “We spoke with Serb ministers to secure their votes. In the first meeting, they had four demands including having more members of the Serb community and turning the law into vital legislation”, Demolli said adding that the Serbian List also demanded that the post of deputy commander be occupied by someone from the Serb community. “We were not ready to agree to those terms”, Demolli said.

Supreme Court acquits NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj (dailies)

Kosovo Supreme Court upheld a previous decision to acquit the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) commander and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) leader, Fatmir Limaj, accused of war crimes. Limaj was co-accused along with nine other former KLA figthers, all of whom were cleared of war crimes charges.

Yee in Belgrade: U.S. will defend its allies in the Balkans (Koha)

The United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Brian Hoyt Yee, said during his visit to Belgrade on Wednesday, that the U.S. would “strongly support” its interests and the interests of its allies in the Balkans. Yee said Serbia and other Balkans countries must implement the necessary reforms to join the European Union.

Vucic: Haradinaj most probably Prime Minister, problems for Serbia (Koha)

Serbian Prime Minister and President-elect, Aleksandar Vucic, said on Wednesday that it is almost certain that Ramush Haradinaj will become the Prime Minister of Kosovo and that “this will create many problems for Serbia”. “This will open up security difficulties and problems that I don’t even want to mention. We need to lead a wise, serious and responsible policy. We have nothing if we don’t have full security and stability,” Vucic was quoted as saying.

Kosovo man believed killed in Syria (dailies)

Majority of Kosovo media have reported that a 30-year-old man from Mitrovica is believed to have been killed in the Syrian conflict. Kosovo Police say they received information of the person’s death but that they have no official confirmation of it. Gazeta Metro reported that the person in question went twice in the past to Syria and that he was even wounded during fighting in one of his trips. Furthermore, he is reported to have been arrested in 2015 by the Kosovo Police but released shortly after.

Decision to apply at UNESCO, in hands of new government (Epoka)

The decision on whether to apply for Kosovo’s membership at UNESCO, will be made by the new government, the paper reports on the front page. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Valon Murtezaj, told the paper that elections have complicated this process and that the new legislative should quickly adopt two required draft laws prior to applying at UNESCO. “The decision on whether to apply at UNESCO this year or not has not been made yet. There are several works that should be completed,” Murtezaj said. Civil society representatives meanwhile have called on Kosovo institutions to be careful and not apply at UNESCO without being well prepared.