Headlines - 06.06.2014 Zbogar: Elections a test for Kosovo’s EU integration process (Koha Ditore) The Head of the European Union (EU) Office in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, noted in a front-page interview, that the upcoming elections will be the first since the successful completion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Kosovo, and it is normal to expect that European standards will be upheld in the voting process. “If there is political will, Kosovo can have elections in accordance with European standards”, said Zbogar. He added that the way these elections are held will also determine how Kosovo’s EU integration process will proceed. Speaking about the possibility of Serbs in the north boycotting the elections, Zbogar said he hoped Serbs not only in the north but also in other parts of Kosovo decide to take part. “I believe the time of fear, rejection and roadblocks, belongs to the past”, he added. Jacobson: It’s vital for Kosovo that all communities vote (Lajm) US Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson wrote that it is vital that all communities vote on Sunday. She made this comment via the social network Twitter, after an interview for Zvecan’s TV Most. Free and democratic elections would be a condition for continuing American support for Kosovo, she said.  Blomeyer: Germany and its partners will not tolerate election fraud (Koha) Germany and its partners will have zero tolerance towards any fraud that could happen in this Sunday’s elections, said the German Ambassador to Kosovo, Peter Blomeyer. He stressed that it would have been better if Kosovo had approved election reforms before actually heading to the polls, but last year’s local elections showed that the process can be free and fair even without the reforms in place. “This requires goodwill from all participants in order to strictly respect rules and ensure a regular election process”, said Blomeyer. Pack: Kosovo needs a strong government (Lajm) Doris Pack, a German member of the European Parliament, said elections are being held because they were necessary. She also hopes that many people in Kosovo will take part in the process, adding that the participation of people in the north is particularly important. “Kosovo needs a strong government that is committed enough to make the necessary reforms and improve relations with neighbors. This is extremely important for all countries in the region and in particular for the European Union, which wants to see a peaceful region in the Balkans. There are a lot of problems, which the new government has to deal with, including corruption, organized crime and cases expected to be dealt with by the Special Court,” said Pack.  Jahjaga requests France’s support on visas (Epoka e Re) The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, met on Thursday in Paris with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, Laurent Fabius. They discussed current developments in Kosovo and the region. Jahjaga expressed gratitude for France’s continuous support to Kosovo. She spoke about the significant steps Kosovo has taken vis-à-vis European integration, especially through the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, and added that it is important for the people of Kosovo to conclude the visa liberalization process as soon as possible. Fabius stated that his country follows developments in Kosovo and the Balkans very carefully and expressed readiness for the further deepening of relations. President Jahjaga is participating at the Global Summit of Women, where she delivered a speech.   IMF: No possibility to create 200,000 jobs (Zeri) Zeri, on its front page, reports that, along with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also confirmed that the creation of 200,000 jobs over the next four years will not happen, because Kosovo lacks a proper economic development strategy.