Headlines - 06.06.2017

• PDK-led coalition spends most funds for election campaign (Koha)
• Delawie: Voters will determine Kosovo’s path (media)
• World Bank forecasts 4 percent economic growth for Kosovo (Koha)
• Montenegro officially joins NATO (media)

PDK-led coalition spends most funds for election campaign (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that according to official information, the three leading political parties in Kosovo have spent around €300,000 in promotion material during the first four days of the election campaign. Representatives of non-governmental organizations “Democracy Plus” and “Cohu” [Rise Up] have monitored the funds that the biggest parties have spent for media promotion, including TV stations, news websites and newspapers. According to the monitoring, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and its allies the AAK and NISMA, have spent €135,151 so far. They are followed by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and AKR and Alternativa with €115,430. The Vetevendosje Movement has spent €33,621.

Delawie: Voters will determine Kosovo’s path (media)

The United States Ambassador in Kosovo, Greg Delawie, said on Monday that this week is very important for Kosovo as the voters will determine the country’s path toward prosperity. During an address at the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Delawie said that the top three priorities are: the rule of law, regional security and economic development.

World Bank forecasts 4 percent economic growth for Kosovo (Koha)

Kosovo is forecasted to have a 3.9 percent economic growth in 2017, based on a World Bank study, the paper reports on page two. According to the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospect, in 2018 Kosovo will have an economic growth of 4.2 percent and in 2019 a growth of 4.4. percent. The paper notes that the forecasts of the World Bank are very different from statements made by local politicians in Kosovo who are promising the people an 8 percent economic growth and a €5 billion budget for 2017.

Montenegro officially joins NATO (media)

Montenegro has officially become the 29th member state of the Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, who attended the membership ceremony in Washington, said Montenegro’s admission in NATO is good news for the stability of Montenegro and the Balkans. Pristina-based news website Telegrafi reports that U.S. Ambassador in Kosovo, Greg Delawie, tweeted on Monday that Montenegro’s membership in NATO is very good news for Kosovo too. “Congratulations Montenegro, the 29th NATO member!  Great news for Kosovo to have another NATO ally on its western border,” Delawie tweeted.