Assembly can’t add, remove anything from Agreement (Koha Ditore)

The Assembly of Kosovo cannot add or remove anything from the Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia reached in Brussels on 19 April, or from the implementation plan. The draft-law for the ratification of the agreement will be discussed on Monday by the Commission for legislation to then proceed with the session; however, nothing can be changed in the draft-law. 

Kosovo Assembly Speaker Xhavit Haliti, from the Democratic party of Kosovo, stated that the agreement can undergo a debate at the Assembly, however, it does not make sense to change it, reported Radio Kosova. “If an agreement is signed by two prime ministers, Baroness Ashton, and others, who were there to help prepare the agreement, it does not make sense, the discussions would have to restart,” said Haliti. 

Head of the Parliamentary Group of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo Ardian Gjini said that the Parliamentary Commission has the legal right to interfere on the draft-law, however he added that responsibility should be shown during such major processes. 

Hyseni supports Krasniqi’s idea for a party (Koha Ditore)

PDK deputy Hydajet Hyseni, supports the speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Jakup Krasniqi, on his initiative to create a new political party. Hyseni did not exclude the possibility of joining the party of his friend from the same party. “We will wait and see. I think that justice is on his side. As far as modalities are concerned, let us see with time which solution is better,” said Hyseni. 

Other key individuals from PDK have not made any statement on Krasniqi’s idea yet, however PDK general secretary, Basri Musmurati, does not consider that Krasniqi’s step would harm PDK.  

Pristina-Belgrade agreement, continuing with discussions (Koha Ditore)

Another round of discussions between Pristina and Belgrade on implementation of the agreement ended without a concrete result. After three days of negotiations of several working groups, they only decided to continue with discussions next week. 

During the last week, working groups discussed the creation of the association of Serb municipalities in Kosovo that should happen after local elections, which, according to the head of Pristina delegation, will take place during those in the entire territory of Kosovo. Representatives of the Serbian delegation said after these meetings that they expect Brussels to pressure Pristina to achieve progress on these negotiations. 

Agreement with Serbia imposes change of more than 50 laws (Tribuna)

Implementation of the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia for the normalisation of relations would impose changes on Kosovo laws to adopt them according to Serbian requests, which derive from 19 April agreement reached in Brussels. A senior official of the Office of the Prime Minister, who preferred to remain anonymous, said daily changes of over 50 Kosovo laws are already initiated.

Westerwelle: No changes of borders in Balkans (Epoka e Re)

Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guido Westerwelle, made it clear that there will be no changes to the borders in the Balkans. “Our message is clear, territorial integrity of the countries of Western Balkans cannot be questioned,” he said on Friday to Bundestag deputies. He added that the issue on the initiation of discussions for Serbia’s EU membership is related to the issue of normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Speaking about the implementation of the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, Westerwelle said that “the plan is ambitious but has created positive dynamics and both parties are showing political will for normalisation.”

Kandic: Serbia must recognise Kosovo institutions, victims (Koha Ditore)

Director of the Fund for Humanitarian Rights in Belgrade Natasa Kandic told Radio Free Europe that the Serbian Government should speak about the past, based on facts. According to her, normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia would be reached with Serbia’s recognition of Kosovo institutions and admit about the victims. She added that another very difficult but important task would be opening the bridge on the River Iber. According to Kandic, the reality has changed since the prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia began their discussions.