Headlines - 28.03.2017

• Thaci: Only demarcation can bring visa liberalisation (Tribuna Channel)
• Despite Serbian List return, coalition experiences a vote crisis (Koha Ditore)
• Kosovo government conditions Vucic’s visit (Koha Ditore/Telegrafi)
• U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary to visit Kosovo today (Indeksonline)
• Kosovo no strategy to manage post-special court indictments situation (Koha)
• Assembly MPs visit for the first time Police Station in Zubin Potok (Epoka)
• Thirteen displaced families return to Istog municipality (Zeri)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Thaci: Only demarcation can bring visa liberalisation (Tribuna Channel)

The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, reiterated on Monday that ratification of the agreement on demarcation of the border with Montenegro is the only matter that divides Kosovo from visa liberalisation. He also said that if the demarcation is not adopted at the Assembly now, decades would pass before Kosovo people could move freely in the Schengen zone.  “Definitely yes, if demarcation is done, liberalization of visas would happen in the next months. If not, there will be insecurity for months years and perhaps decades,” Thaci said. Thaci further said that he is not aware of voices against creation of Kosovo’s army and added that he will work to convince Serbs to vote despite the fact that they are ordered by Serbia not to do so. “Kosovo Serbs are ordered not to vote. They are afraid and threatened by Belgrade not to vote. However, it remains also for the international community to work with Belgrade in order for Serbia to withdraw from this hostile project towards consolidation and creation of Kosovo state, and they should at the same think for Kosovo not to remain victim of Belgrade’s wrong politics,” Thaci said.

Despite Serbian List return, coalition experiences a vote crisis (Koha Ditore)

Although representatives of the Serbian List ended their boycott of Kosovo institutions yesterday, the paper reports that the ruling coalition still lacks two-thirds of votes required to ratify border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. Ratification requires more than 80 votes whereas coalition partners – the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) – together with Serbian List MPs have 78 votes. Furthermore, there are MPs from both PDK and LDK who have vowed not to support the border deal.

Kosovo government conditions Vucic’s visit (Koha Ditore/Telegrafi)

KTV reported that Serbian Prime Minister and presidential candidate, Aleksandar Vucic, has submitted a request to visit Kosovo in the coming days but according to sources, the government of Kosovo has put forth several conditions to Belgrade before granting the request. One of the main conditions is for the Serbian delegation not to include two ministers: internal affairs Nebojsa Stefanovic and defence minister Zoran Djordjevic. At the same, Telegrafi quotes Serbian media saying that Vucic is not informed of his visit to Kosovo being conditioned and that the visit has been planned to take place on Wednesday.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary to visit Kosovo today (Indeksonline)

The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Hoyt Brian Yee, is expected to visit Kosovo today, the news website reports. During his visit, the U.S. official is expected to meet political leaders and discuss  recent developments in Kosovo. 

Ahmetaj to EU: Visa liberalization, now or never (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo’s Minister for European Integration, Mimoza Ahmetaj, participated on Monday at an exhibition organized by the EU Office in Kosovo and in cooperation with the Italian Embassy. Ahmetaj said that the European Union would not succeed without the Balkan countries. She requested from the EU not to keep Kosovo population isolated. “Isolation and walls are not a response to the threats that civilization is facing. The time is now or never. EU needs Kosovo and the Balkans, just as the Balkans need EU,” Ahmetaj said. 

Kosovo no strategy to manage post-special court indictments situation (Koha)

The paper writes on the front page that the government of Kosovo has not prepared an institutional strategy to manage the situation following the first indictments by the specialist chambers as the publication of the names of indictees could very well produce tensions. They are expected to hold a session in the coming days to approve the regulation for procedures and evidence which paves the way for the indictments to be issued. Security analyst, Burim Ramadani, said the current government has no capacity and legitimacy to manage a situation with possible tensions. This, according to Ramadani, is due to the past of the individuals that represent the government of Kosovo.

Assembly MPs visit for the first time Police Station in Zubin Potok (Epoka)

Kosovo Assembly Commission for Internal Affairs, Security and Supervision of KSF, headed by Ganimete Musliu, visited on Monday the Police Station in Zubin Potok where they met with the Commander of the Station, Zvezdan Milojevic, and the other officials. The intention of the visit was information about the conditions of work, challenges during the daily duties as well as implementation of Kosovo Law. Members of the Commission stated that they would address the requests made by the Police Commander during this visit. 

Thirteen displaced families return to Istog municipality (Zeri)

Thirteen Serb families displaced after the conflict have returned to their village of Lubozhda, Istog municipality. The families were accompanied by the Minister for Communities and Return Dalibor Jevtic who thanked local authorities for resolving bureaucratic procedures to enable the return of Serb families.