Compared to the first meeting between Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and Serbia Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, this time the environment was much more relaxed. Both leaders met with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton for a two-hour working dinner in Brussels. According to the participants, they made visible progress towards normalizing relations, especially in connection with implementing achieved agreements in the technical dialogue.

Thaçi and Dacic both said that the “war is over” and should look towards the future.  This time, Dacic discussed his feelings about meet Thaçi with Serb media: “I did not know Thaçi from before [but] when the war ends, the enemies don’t have enemies anymore, but they should work together to find solutions for the problems.” Dacic added that, “no one can accuse Thaçi or his Government that it is not defending their interests” and that Thaçi and he might be the right people to make difficult decisions.

Thaçi said both agreed that Serbia should be transparent with funds given to parallel structures, while Dacic said that “for Serbia it is not a problem, because there is nothing to hide,” although stressing that “this financing will continue.”

Both prime ministers agreed to jointly build the Pristina–Merdare–Nis motorway. A press communiqué was released by Ashton following the meeting and said that “parties jointly agreed to do a feasibility study to build the Pristina–Merdare–Nis motorway.” Dacic said that he will try to convince European Commission to finance this project.

Zbogar: Unique model needed for Kosovo-Serbia relations (dailies)

The ‘two Germanys’ model for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia is a possibility, according to EU Representative for Kosovo Samuel Zbogar, however he believes they both should have a unique model. Zbogar spoke about this issue on Wednesday following a meeting with the Parliamentary Commission for European Integrations.

“Furthermore, the ‘two Germanys’ model is for two countries living normally, close to each other where they don’t block one another in international relations, even though they don’t recognize each other – like the Federal Republic of Germany and the Democratic Germany. They did not block each other, but I think that in Kosovo’s case a unique model should be found. It can have a few elements from the ‘two Germanys’ model, or the ‘France–‘Germany’ model, but in the end it should be the ‘Kosovo–Serbia’ model,” said Zbogar.

Vetëvendosje pamphlet against dialogue (Epoka e Re – page 2)

The day of Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi with Prime Minister of Serbia Ivica Dacic’s meeting in Brussels, facilitated by Baroness Ashton, Vetëvendosje pamphleted all cities in Kosovo Wednesday morning, which stated: “Meetings Thaçi – Dacic integrated management of Kosovo in Serb gendarmerie in the north.” The head of Secretariat for activities in Vetëvendosje movement, Frashër Krasniqi, told Kosovapress that this is Vetëvendosje’s next step in opposing such meetings.

Trajkovic: Thaçi, Dacic irresponsible (Zëri – page 4)

The deputy of the Assembly of Kosovo, Rada Trajkovic, said that Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic are acting irresponsibly through their lack of transparency.

“We do not know what kind of project the international community offers, nor do we see the Serbian Prime Minister, who represents Kosovo’s final status thesis, having informed about this project or having run it through democratic procedures. This is to inform the Government and Parliament and prepare public opinion,” Trajkovic told Serbian local media. Trajkovic concluded that the international community’s plan is to divide Kosovo from Serbia.

Speak about cooperation (dailies)

Foreign Minister of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj met with Deputy President of the Arabian Republic of Egypt Pakinam Hassan Khalil El Sharkawy to inform him about the progress of the Republic of Kosovo, the strengthening of the statehood, and international subjectivity. Hoxhaj expressed how the citizens and Kosovo Government support the efforts of the Egyptian population for political and social transformation, which occurred over the last few years; he hailed the changes that are happening in Egypt after the revolution.

Pakinam Hassan Khalil El Sharkawy stressed that the new conditions in Egypt will impact the relations with the Balkans and Kosovo. Epoka e Re and Zëri report that after the meeting with Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi, Pakinam Hassan Khalil El Sharkawy expressed hope that Egypt will soon recognize Kosovo because a new climate creating new relations with different countries is ruling Egypt now.

Stolen gold on sale for €2m (Koha Ditore – front page)

The gold stolen from the Peja police station’s evidence room is believed to be worth about two million euros. The police recently arrested the head of the Peja police investigations unit along with the son of a goldsmith, who was assassinated earlier this the year, under suspicion for receiving stolen goods.

During the search, the police confiscated gold from the suspects, which is believed to have originated from the police’s evidence room. According to the prosecution, the suspects were apprehended when a police went undercover pretending to be a potential gold buyer.

Task Force to investigate €1.4m for passports (dailies)

Reacting to allegations by an Austrian entrepreneur, whose company produced Kosovo passports, that the Ministry did not settle its debt to the company, Koha Ditore reports that Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi said they fulfilled all contractual obligations. Rexhepi added that he is ready to have a Task Force look into allegations although the Ministry’s officials claimed that they paid 1.4 million euros to a Kosovo-based company that represents the Austrian OeSD. Meanwhile, OeSD manager Rainhart Gausterer said, based on the contract, that no one expected the main branch of the company in Austria to be authorized to receive payment.

Zëri also quotes Gausterer saying that his company was shocked after learning that the payment was actually made to a sub-contracting company.

Serbs protest against reconstruction of Albanian houses (Koha Ditore – page 4)

The security situation in the north’s Kroi i Vitakut neighbourhood worsened after a group of about 30 Serbs protested against the start of constructing Albanian houses in the area. Serbs blocked the road that leads to the houses, which were burnt down during the war, and demolished a van belonging to an Albanian. According to Kosovo Police Spokesperson Besim Hoti, protesters dispersed at around 3 p.m. and the reconstruction work resumed without problems.