Headlines - 25.09.2013

CEC rejects over 11,000 applications from voters outside Kosovo (Koha Ditore)

Central Election Commission has approved only 276 applications from voters outside of Kosovo while it rejected over 11,000. Rejected applications were classified as irregular and although no further explanation was given, the paper claims the main reason behind the CEC move is that the documents were forged. Most of these applications are reported to have originated from Serbia. Head of CEC Valdete Daka called on the Secretariat to offer a detailed report once the verification of applications is completed 

Plan for “New Yugoslavia” (Zëri)

An initiative for Western Balkans countries called the West Balkan Six initiated by Montenegro has received the support of European Commission for Enlargement Stefan Fule and foresees the creation of a joint parliamentary assembly, a common economic market, a single system of education and joint fight against organized crime and corruption. The initiative will include countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia and Serbia and aims to achieve joint European integration.

The plan is expected to be focus of the upcoming meeting of regional foreign ministers in New York and the paper writes that the countries involved have in principle hailed the initiative. Another issue set to be clarified in the meeting is whether this union will also include Croatia and Slovenia although the two are already EU members. Slovenia is said to have turned down the proposal while Croatia is still considering it. If Croatia pulls out, Serbia will then dominate the initiative and have a lead role which Kosovo doesn’t support.

German-British conditions for Serbia (Tribuna)

Serbia is expected to get the candidate status for EU membership in December, but it could wait for a long time at the EU gates if it does not regulate relations with Kosovo, Tribuna reports on the front page. The paper claims to have secured the draft that will serve to launch dialogue for Serbia’s EU membership. The structure of negotiations includes Germany’s conditions for Serbia, and sources told the paper that after her recent victory in general elections German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to reiterate the conditions for Serbia.

The source said that the structure of negotiations now also includes conditions by Great Britain. Among many conditions, Serbia will be requested to resolve border disputes based on the UN charter and the decisions of the International Court of Justice.

“In its efforts to harmonize with the EU Acquis, Serbia must make sure that the legislation it adopts, including geography, does not go against the normalization of relations with Kosovo,” it is said in the document.

Groundwork for peace treaty being placed (Koha Ditore)

Authorities in Pristina claim that the time is closing when it will be put on the agenda in Brussels the issue of achievement of Peace Treaty between Kosovo and Serbia. The technical dialogue has been finalized, while political dialogue remains to give solution to a small number of issues. Deputy Prime Minister, Hajredin Kuçi said that both countries are working in this direction. Official Belgrade has stated earlier that it is not making preparations to enter negotiations for the Treaty. “We aim to finalize what I have mentioned earlier, the Peace Treaty. Namely, to resolve disputable issues between both countries through a Treaty,” said Kuçi.

US support Pristina-Belgrade dialogue (Epoka e Re)

US Deputy Secretary of State, William J. Burns, in a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister, Hashim Thaçi, has expressed support for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and stressed the importance of implementation of the achieved agreements in Brussels. Thaçi informed Burns for the preparation of local elections, so that they will be organized in most transparent way. Thaçi emphasized that these elections are very important, because they are held for the first time in the entire territory of Republic of Kosovo, including four municipalities in the north, where also Serb political parties are going to participate and for the first time will also participate Serb citizens of northern Kosovo. These elections will ensure full integration of northern municipalities in the Constitutional order of Republic of Kosovo.

EULEX committed to rule of law (dailies)

The killing of EULEX customs officer Audrius Senavicius is an additional reason for the mission to empower itself and work even more on implementing tasks in Kosovo. The killing will in no way diminish EULEX competencies but will only strengthen rule of law, said yesterday head of EULEX Bernd Borchardt at a press conference following the meeting of the joint coordinating board for rule of law. Borchardt also spoke about the progress report on the Compact Agreement which is a result of the joint rule of law board meetings. “I hope after the tragic incident that happened, we can improve cooperation with Kosovo prosecution and police not forgetting the rule of law and cooperation with forensics,” said Borchardt.

Thaçi “isolates” Jahjaga (Tribuna)

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi is preparing the ground to shake hands with U.S. President Barack Obama during the annual reception that the latter hosts for statesmen attending the United Nations General Assembly. Thaçi namely has managed to convince President Atifete Jahjaga to remain in Pristina while presidents of most world countries are in New York. Officials in the Office of the President did not say why Jahjaga did not travel to New York. “The delegation of Kosovo is led by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo,” Jahjaga’s spokesman told the paper.

Political analyst Behlul Beqaj said he was not surprised that Jahjaga is not leading the delegation and added that Thaçi uses every opportunity to be the first. “The Prime Minister uses every opportunity to be the first. He is playing with the support of internationals, but internationals too are using him to do their work in Kosovo, often against the interests of the nation and the state,” Beqaj said.

Thaçi to deal with Krasniqi and Limaj upon his return from NY (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the political stance against the spirit of the party from the two members heads of PDK, Jakup Krasniqi and Fatmir Limaj, will be an issue which will be treated upon the return of Prime Minister, Hashim Thaçi from New York. This was announced by the deputy head of the party, Vlora Çitaku. “The presidency of PDK did not discuss yet this issue (support of Krasniqi and Limaj for the civic initiative and not PDK in the elections of 3 November). The head of the party is in New York and upon his return then of course we will review this issue,” said Çitaku.