UNMIK Headlines 5 July
Germany pressures Belgrade to resume dialogue with Pristina (Koha)
Andreas, Schockenhoff, Hans Joachim Falenski and Johann Wadephul, members of the German Bundestag and representatives of Angela Merkel's party, the CDU, will visit Belgrade on 10 July. Serbian newspaper Danas quoted diplomatic sources in Berlin as saying that German officials will ask Belgrade to continue dialogue with Pristina. The source said that German MPs will call on Serbia to implement agreements reached in Brussels and a new pace in dialogue with Pristina.
Vetevendosje guarantees two-year mandate to opposition coalition (Koha)
The agreement between the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), the Initiative for Kosovo (Nisma) and the Vetevendosje Movement is almost final, but Vetevendosje will not join an eventual government formed by the opposition, a source from the opposition coalition is quoted as saying. The source added that the Kurti-led Vetevendosje has guaranteed its votes to the opposition bloc for the election of the parliament speaker, the government care-taker and other issues, for a two-year mandate until 2016, when Vetevendosje has called for parliamentary elections. "In our latest meeting, we got support from Vetevendosje for the parliament speaker and the establishment of the government, in order to prevent a third term for Thaci. They gave us guarantees for two years, meanwhile Vetevendosje wants to have the role of guardian of Kosovo and the fighter of evil," the source said.
Musmurati: We are not pressuring anyone (Epoka e Re)
Basri Musmurati, secretary general of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), reacted to claims by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (Nisma) that the PDK is pressuring President Atifete Jahjaga to give this party two tries at forming the new government. In an interview for Epoka e Re, Musmurati said the leading political party does not apply pressure on any institution and that claims by LDK, AAK and Nisma are unfounded.
Gjetaj: Serbia has committed a crime by stopping work in Raska (Koha)
Prenk Gjetaj, chairman of the Kosovo Government's committee for missing persons, told reporters in Pristina on Friday that Serbia has stopped work at the mass grave in Raska citing insufficient funds. Gjetaj said the Serbian side is committing a crime by trying to benefit from the misfortune. "We regret that this happened, especially families of missing persons, because they are anxiously waiting for information about the fate of their most loved ones. Meanwhile, the Serbian side has unilaterally stopped work and they are committing a crime by taking advantage of this great misfortune," Gjetaj added.