Headlines - 08.10.2018

• Stoltenberg: Kosovo and Serbia need to reach political agreement (dailies)
• Game with resolutions (Koha Ditore)
• Veseli calls on opposition to vote dialogue resolution (media)
• Kurti: Thaci wants resolution so he can break it (media)
• Pacolli: Resolution strengthens Kosovo’s position in dialogue (media)
• EU countries showing reservations towards visa liberalisation for Kosovo (Zeri)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Stoltenberg: Kosovo and Serbia need to reach political agreement (dailies)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a visit to Belgrade that the Alliance strongly supports dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade and that all efforts of the two sides should focus on reducing tensions and resolving disputes. Stoltenberg said NATO needs to see a political agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. “This is a dialogue facilitated by the European Union and NATO was part of an initiative that lead to this dialogue. We continue to monitor and support the dialogue,” he said.

Game with resolutions (Koha Ditore)

The paper reports on the front page that the ruling coalition parties will make another attempt at passing a resolution relating to the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. However, the document they propose is not supported by opposition parties. The draft resolution proposed by institutional leaders, without President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci, contains six points and lay out main principles of Kosovo’s participation in dialogue with Serbia. The first item expresses commitment for reaching an international legally binding agreement that would lead to mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia. The document also states that Kosovo borders are inviolable and non-negotiable. Furthermore, the draft resolution says Kosovo will not accept a third level of government that would undermine its internal constitutional order.

Veseli calls on opposition to vote dialogue resolution (media)

Kosovo Assembly Speaker and leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Kadri Veseli called on opposition parties to join consensus on harmonizing resolution regarding dialogue with Serbia. In a Facebook post, Veseli said the resolution that the coalition partners have proposed should not be seen as a political action but rather as a proposal that is in the interest of Kosovo. “We have tried to incorporate and harmonise in this resolution all positions and statements expressed in this period,” Veseli said. “In the coming days I will personally call an inclusive meeting in an effort to agree and build a spirit of cooperation for an issue of such importance for the country,” he added.

Kurti: Thaci wants resolution so he can break it (media)

In a Facebook post, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti accused President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci of breaking all resolutions passed by the Assembly of Kosovo. He said it is well known that Thaci has no mandate from either the Assembly or the people of Kosovo to carry out his ‘enterprise’ with Serbia. “In fact, he has no platform of principles for negotiations or a negotiating team. He is alone.” Thaci therefore, in Kurti’s view, wants to have a “piece of paper” from the Assembly so that “he can run to Vucic.” “Thaci wants a resolution precisely so that he can break it,” Kurti wrote.

Pacolli: Resolution strengthens Kosovo’s position in dialogue (media)

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister and leader of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) Behgjet Pacolli said the draft resolution proposed by ruling coalition parties paves way for strengthening of Kosovo’s position in dialogue with Serbia and accommodates opposition parties’ demands. “It is time to project new energy and from the internal debate to come out stronger than ever. Time is running out, resolution needs quick approval,” Pacolli wrote in a Facebook post.

EU countries showing reservations towards visa liberalisation for Kosovo (Zeri)

The paper reports on the front page that several EU member states like France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain, have expressed reservations towards visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Kosovo institutions are meanwhile expected to step up their lobbying efforts to convince these countries to support visa-free travel. Minister of European Integration Dhurata Hoxha said the main reason behind France and the Netherlands hesitation to support visa liberalisation is illegal migration. She said however that these concerns are not grounded. Hoxha also said she expects the final decision on visa liberalisation to be taken by the end of the year.