Headlines - 08.01.2015 Thaci: Serbia should renounce mentality of the past (Epoka e Re) Hashim Thaci, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, said on Wednesday that Serbian politicians need to “wake up from their dreams and understand that the nightmare created in their minds is over.” He added that Serbia should understand the reality in Kosovo and renounce the mentality from the previous century. Thaci also said that Kosovo has been free for 16 years now, an independent state for seven years and that it is recognized by many countries of the world. “Every time that Serbia makes noise by offering an alleged solution for Kosovo, it further strengthens our conviction of how difficult it is for them to overcome the expansionist mentality of the past century,” Thaci said. Uncertainties surrounding the special court (Koha) Citing unidentified sources, the paper reports that there is uncertainty surrounding the statute of the special court that will address war crimes allegations in Kosovo. For example, it is not yet known whether this will be a local or international court. Meanwhile, legal experts are working to eliminate legal barriers to the court in Kosovo’s and international legislation. Sources also told the paper that Kosovo authorities should vote on the law or statute of the special court by 20 January, prior to the meeting of the Council of the European Union, so that the latter would have the opportunity to express support for the court. Meanwhile, Kosovo’s Minister of Justice, Hajredin Kuci, told the paper there is nothing concrete yet about the law or statute of the court. Haradinaj: Special court will damage Kosovo (Zeri) Ramush Haradinaj, the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said on Wednesday that his party would not vote in favor of the formation of the special court that will address war crimes allegations in Kosovo. “We believe that all energy should be focused on improving the judiciary in Kosovo,” he added. The paper adds that several Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MPs are also expected to vote against the formation of the court. “I will vote against it because I believe that the decision to form this court is unjust for Kosovo,” an unnamed PDK MP told the paper. Jahjaga and Mustafa visit Decan Monastery (Kosova Sot) The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, and Prime Minister Isa Mustafa visited the Decan Monastery yesterday and wished all Orthodox believers a merry Christmas. After the visit, Mustafa said that all people of Kosovo should feel equal and overcome problems together. Kosovo included in US strategy against radicalism (Zeri) The United States Special Representative to the Secretary of State for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, Shaun Casey, said in an interview for the paper that he is concerned by the involvement of youth in the wars in Syria and Iraq. Casey said that this has led the United States to launch a strategy across several countries, including Kosovo, on how to prevent radicalization. Casey is visiting Kosovo to see how the government and religious leaders could approach religious groups and deal with war returnees. “I believe there should be a state-wide approach,” Casey said. Kosovo migrant dies in Hungary, highlights illegal migration woes (dailies) Papers report today that a 54-year-old man from Kosovo is believed to have died from the cold while trying to illegally migrate to the EU. The body of Ali Fetahu from a village near Ferizaj was found by authorities in Hungary. Kosovo leaders expressed condolences to the victim’s family, while President Atifete Jahjaga urged Kosovo institutions to do everything possible to stop illegal migration. The Vetevendosje Movement called on the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, and Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaci, to immediately travel to Hungary and visit camps for asylum seekers from Kosovo. Kosovo condemns Paris terrorist attack (dailies) Several dailies report that Kosovo authorities condemned the terrorist attack in Paris in which three armed men stormed the offices of a satirical magazine and killed 12 people. “This is an outrageous terrorist act which goes against the values that we embrace. Kosovo stands united with France and we express our solidarity with the families of the victims,” Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga said in a statement.