Headlines - 26.12.2013 Dialogue leaves Kosovo without an army (Tribuna) The disbanding of the illegal formation of “Civil Protection” and its transformation into a legal structure may carry a cost for the Kosovo Security Force in causing further delays in ambitions to become Kosovo’s army. The most recent obstacle on KSF path is the Brussels dialogue and agreements reached within it which foresee a limited-capacity force without freedom of movement in the north. In addition, KSF’s future is also now being linked to the “Civil Protection”, namely integration of some of its members into the Kosovo force, a process that is likely to take years before it can be fully implemented.   Serbia reluctantly recognizes new Kosovo ID cards (Tribuna) Authorities in Belgrade gave in to the pressure from the EU following the complaints of the Kosovo Government that Serbia is not living up to its commitments from the Brussels agreement by not allowing Kosovo citizens free movement with new biometric ID cards. The Kosovo side is said to have documented cases when Serbian authorities did not allow citizens entry with new ID cards and reported these to Brussels which in turn asked Serbia to implement agreement on free movement without problems. The issue got resolved only once the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton intervened and convinced Belgrade authorities to allow entrance of citizens with biometric ID cards.   Illegal employees continue to get two salaries (Koha Ditore) Koha Ditore reports that more than 1,000 Serbs in the north employed by illegal institutions of Serbia have received regular salaries for years from the Kosovo budget and they still continue to do so. However, it is not Kosovo budget that supplied them with salaries but it is also Serbia which said it will not cut off salaries even now when municipal structures will come out from illegality. Kosovo budget money also goes to 379 Serbs who have served and are serving in the illegal administration of Leposaviq, Zubin Potok and Zveçan. The same benefit is also extended to 509 Serb teachers in the legal education system. Kosovo has given guarantees not to cut their salaries but Serbia also made the same commitment.   Inauguration will take place with state symbols (Epoka e Re) Chief negotiator in technical dialogue, Edita Tahiri, said that constitution of the municipalities in the north of Kosovo will be done only by respecting Kosovo state symbols. She warned that any inauguration that is done in contradiction with Kosovo laws will be invalid. Tahiri stated that by sending invitations to the new assembly members, new heads of municipalities have made political violations.   Krasniqi does not a safe vote in favor for the 2014 budget (Koha Ditore) In the upcoming session, Kosovo lawmakers will have in front of them draft budget for the year 2014. While the position expressed confidently that the draft budget will pass, one part of opposition has announced boycott if it is not removed the amendment, where it is included the sale of 75 percent of PTK shares. Also the vote of Kosovo Assembly speaker is not for sure in favor of the 2014 budget. “It depends how it will be finalized all of this. Of course if it remains the amendment for the privatization, that is an issue that complicates and creates difficulties for the budget to be approved,” said Krasniqi for Radio Kosova. According to him, the inclusion of the amendment, which considers as approved the report of the Government in connection with the sale of 75 percent of PTK shares, is meaningless and unnecessary.   Jacobson assesses Kosovo’s progress in 2013 (dailies) In an interview for Radio Kosova, US Ambassador Tracey Jacobson spoke of Kosovo’s progress in 2013 with particular emphasis on the April 19 Agreement with Serbia on normalizing relations. She also said that Kosovo has a skilled workforce and that she hoped 2014 will bring economic growth and new jobs. “Of course, there is a great deal of work to be done with regards to implementation of the agreement but we are seeing that Kosovo is on the right track”, Jacobson is quoted.   Graçanica mayor gives oath before the flag of Serbia (dailies) The head of Gracanica municipality, Branimir Stojanovic, on Wednesday gave his oath to lead the municipality before the flag of Serbia and the UN flag, reports KTV. The head of municipality has been inaugurated in the room where it have been seen only the flags of Serbia and the UN flag. In this occasion also participated Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Governance in Kosovo Government, Slobodan Petrovic, Aleksandar Vulin was also present. The Ministry of Local Governance has said that they are going to take measures if the laws have been broken.