· Government boycotts Assembly, country in crisis (Koha Ditore – front page)

The paper writes that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is pushing the country towards a new institutional crisis by blocking the work of the Kosovo Assembly. The boycott, triggered by the refusal of Speaker Jakup Krasniqi to breach the work regulation and put to vote the so-called privatisation motion sponsored by PDK, according to the opposition is nothing more than reflection of an institutional crisis following the lifting of supervised independence.

The opposition argues that the most favourable solution for the way out of the created situation is to organize new early elections.

Head of Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) parliamentary group Ismet Beqiri noted that the Government is aware it has no capacities to go through the end of its formal mandate because of the internal crisis in the PDK and the lack of legitimacy to take decisions of national interest. “We demand implementation of last year’s agreement and Resolution. This way the country would get easier out of the crisis in which it is in,” said Beqiri.

However, for Alliance of Future of Kosovo (AAK) the idea of early elections would be just a repetition of last elections’ scenario. “If the country heads for elections with the same election code, Kosovo would enter a period of instability because votes would be stolen once again,” said AAK’s Ardian Gjini.

· Albright: Without women, democracy is impossible (dailies)

On the opening of Kosovo-hosted International Women’s Summit, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that now the supervised independence period is over, the conference will contribute to development of democracy in the region. She called for an end to stereotypes against women adding that democracy would not be possible without women. She also congratulated Kosovo on electing Atifete Jahjaga president as she is duly representing Kosovo in the international arena. “She is a fantastic representative of Kosovo in international arena,” stated Albright.

The conference was also addressed by the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton through video link. Clinton called Jahjaga natural leader on issues for women’s empowerment. She also congratulated Kosovo on the end of supervised independence which, she said, is a great achievement in the state-building process.

The host of the conference, President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga said the aim of the summit is to jointly find solutions for many important issues in the region and the world. “I can say with full confidence that because of our joint determination, we have made a giant step forward. Today we are in a better situation than yesterday. But this does not mean to say that our work is done and we have no challenges anymore,” said Jahjaga to participants.

· Lunacek mentions resignation to Pacolli (Koha Ditore – front page)

The rapporteur for Kosovo at the European Parliament, Ulrike Lunacek, said that Behgjet Pacolli’s resignation from the position of the Deputy Prime Minister, after the investigations already launched against him by the European mission for the rule of law EULEX, would be a good example that would help improve the image of Kosovo in front of the others.

Lunacek made this statement on Thursday at a press conference organized at the offices of the European Commission in Pristina, after her arrival to participate at the International Women’s Summit, organized by the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga.

Lunacek did not open the issue of the Deputy PM, but she answered to one of the questions of the journalists. “If someone is accused for serious crimes, I think that his resignation would help image of Kosovo very much as well as the perception that citizens have for politicians,” said Lunacek.

· Pacolli: Lunacek clarify statements  (Express – page 4)

The statement of MEP Ulrike Lunacek that Behgjet Pacolli’s resignation due to the “Grand” affair, would be a good example for the image of Kosovo, induced the reaction of the Alliance for the New Kosovo (AKR).

This party requested Lunacek to clarify her statements since, according to AKR, they have been misinterpreted in the media. “Alliance for the New Kosovo appeals to Ms. Lunacek to clarify the statement in order for her not to become a victim of the misinterpretation of the media and certain groups who want the “head” of those that are determined to act for the rule of law and order,” says this reaction. Furthermore, this communiqué says that Deputy Prime Minister Pacolli has never received any notification that investigations against him are taking place.

· Fitou: Don’t be afraid of sovereignty! (Epoka e Re – front page)

Epoka e Re reports that French Ambassador in Kosovo, Jean François Fitou, said that countries which support Kosovo have two messages: “First is that the war has ended, fear from threat is not present anymore. Don’t be afraid anymore about your country, sovereignty, life and your territory. Second, every normalization which will happen with Serbia will be something good, it will be good for both countries”, said Ambassador Fitou.

· Mustafa doesn’t give in to Zbogar (Zëri – p.4)

Pristina Mayor and LDK leader Isa Mustafa had separate meetings yesterday with EU Representative to Pristina Samuel Zbogar and Austrian Ambassador Johann Briger. In both meetings Mustafa is reported to have reaffirmed the position against participation of LDK in political talks with Serbia. He expressed the party’s readiness to cooperate closely with international partners in addressing problems that await Kosovo. “LDK opposes every dialogue with Serbia which would discuss Kosovo’s territorial integrity and constitutional order,” Mustafa is quoted as saying in the meetings.

· EULEX Prosecutors interview Mustafa (dailies)

LDK leader Isa Mustafa talked for one and a half hour to the EULEX special prosecutors about the political and security environment which LDK has been facing during the last decade.

Prosecutors interviewed the Mayor of Pristina at his office in the municipality building in connection with murders and attacks against members of LDK over the years. Sources close with the process told Koha Ditore that the interview was informal and was not been recorded. These sources said that the prosecutor asked Mustafa if there can be a destabilization of the situation if arrests happen. “Interview lasted one and a half hour. More of an informal talk and it was focused on under what conditions LDK acted after the war and under what now”, said the source of this party.

· Government to increase pensions (dailies)

The Government of Kosovo decided to increase pensions for all categories by 40 percent but the raise will be reflected only from next year. According to Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, over 150,000 pensioners will benefit from the decision. He also said that the raise will increase the living standard for pensioners and will not threaten country’s financial stability.

· President ties the knot (Epoka e Re – front page)

Epoka e Re reports that as of Wednesday President of Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, is lawfully married to her long-standing partner Astrit Kuçi. Jahjaga and Kuçi got married in an official ceremony in presence of witnesses in the local community of Dushkaje, Cermjan village of Gjakova municipality. President has kept her maiden name, reports the paper.

· Kosovo to impose visa for Russian citizens (Epoka e Re – page 6)

Russian citizens in the near future will need visas to enter Kosovo, stated Kosovo Deputy Foreign Minister, Petrit Selimi. During a meeting with Russian journalists in Pristina, Selimi said that this is in the spirit of unification of the legislation with European Union criteria, especially with countries of Schengen zone, writes Glas Rusija. “We are going to implement existing requests of European Union for countries outside Schengen zone, including Russia”, said Selimi.