According to the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Catherine Ashton’s cabinet, Ashton invited the prime ministers of Kosovo and Serbia, Hashim Thaçi and Ivica Dacic, respectively, to meet on Wednesday 7 November in Brussels.

A press communiqué emphasized the aim of this meeting, which is to continue the dialogue that has contributed to normalizing relations of both Kosovo and Serbia. European diplomatic sources told Beta news agency that the talks might be conducted to integrate the administration of borders, to implement achieved agreements, and to guarantee Serb cultural and religious heritage.

Thaçi and Dacic are to meet Ashton separately and then together for a joint working-lunch meeting.

Before against, now in favour of German model (Koha Ditore – front page)

The Kosovo Government’s acceptance of the ‘two Germanys’ model with respect to relations with Serbia has created two opposite stances in less than two years. The model, which enabled both countries to function without reciprocity recognition, has been fiercely rejected along with the idea for political dialogue when a technical dialogue was conducted in Brussels in May 2011.

The political dialogue began on 19 October this year and Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj along with Deputy Prime Minister Kuçi have both given signs of acceptance of ‘two Germanys’ model as long as it helps Kosovo be a member in the UN.

LDK against German-German model (dailies)

Epoka e Re covered a front-page story on how the ‘two Germanys’ model can be applied differently. If applying the model means Kosovo and Serbia do not recognize each other while normalizing relations, then LDK is not in favour. Furthermore, analyst Agim Zogaj is also against this model. Ardian Gjini from AAK neither supported nor rejected it; he said it is too early for talks.

Zëri, under the headline “Model of two Germanys is not supported,” reports that political parties do not support Kosovo Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj’s idea that the ‘two Germanys’ model could be used to normalize Kosovo-Serbia relations. PDK head Adem Grabovci said that Kosovo has its Constitution, which clearly states what cannot be discussed with Serbia. In addition, LDK’s Ismet Beqiri said that there is no reason to look to the models for a solution for Kosovo-Serbia relations when a Constitution already exists.

UNDP publishes opinion poll on citizens’ expectations (dailies)

Yesterday in Pristina, the United Nations Development Programme presented the findings of a recent poll on citizens’ satisfactions and expectations from Kosovo institutions and leaders.

According to the poll, 27 percent of respondents - a 6 percent increase – were satisfied with the work of the judiciary, the government, and the prime minister. However, citizens are growing dissatisfied with the President of Kosovo and the Assembly speaker.

Among Kosovo leaders, President Atifete Jahjaga has the highest percentage of satisfaction with 47.1 percent of the people saying they are pleased with her work, Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi enjoys 44.7 percent, and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi has 27.3 percent.

With regards to economy, over 70 percent of people interviewed claimed to be displeased with the economic situation, blaming the Government of Kosovo. Citizens believe that the most serious problem is high unemployment followed by poverty; 8 percent consider the high prices to be the major problem.

Kosovo determined to respect communities (Zëri – front page)

During a meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner for national minorities, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga stated that communities in Kosovo have guaranteed rights according to the Constitution of Kosovo and its laws, which comply with the highest international standards.

According to Jahjaga, Kosovo institutions are determined to help the northern communities benefit from integrating in institutional life, like other minorities in Kosovo. She stated that Serbia could assist by no longer financing illegal and parallel structures in these municipalities and by implementing agreements reached in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

Pristina firefighters on strike (Kosova Sot – page 18)

More than 90 firefighters from Pristina protested yesterday in front of their premises against their working conditions. Protesters are requesting over-time payment for night shifts and weekend duty; they said this strike is a warning for the municipality and central institutions and will undertake more radical measures if their conditions are not met.