Headlines - 16.07.2013 Serbian patrolling continues, Pristina quiet (Koha Ditore) Kamenica mayor, Shaip Surdulli, has reported the concerns of the Albanian citizens of Karaçevë regarding the presence of Serbian gendarmerie at the border line with Serbia, to the representatives of U.S. KFOR. He said that he has requested from the U.S. major, Jonathan T. Hartsock to stop Serbian provocations. “We have received promises that the concerns of the citizens will be reported at the central level,” said Surdulli. Major Hartsock has expressed optimism that the problem will be resolved in a diplomatic manner. Koha Ditore claims to poses a recording where forces of Serbian gendarmeries are seen moving in “Bereznica Road,” up to the motorway which connects Kosovo villages Karaçevë and Rogaçicë, with Kamenica municipality. Despite the claims of KFOR Spokesperson Guenter Bohn, that Serbian police officers do not cross the border without permission, video recordings show that Serbian patrolling is not escorted by KFOR members. Fule to bring good news to Kosovo Assembly (Koha Ditore) European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule will address members of the Kosovo Assembly on Thursday but the expectations are that he will bring good news by announcing that negotiations on Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Kosovo will be open in September. Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi confirmed that the EU official is to address the MPs at the end of the day’s session while in the morning the Assembly is to vote on the package of laws relating to visa liberalization process. KSF’s fate to be known by the year’s end (dailies) The future of the Kosovo Security Force will be known by the end of this year by which time the KSF Ministry in cooperation with international allies will identify real security needs for Kosovo and possibilities for creating a security institution. “This process is set to conclude by the end of the year and we will immediately afterwards come up with recommendations,” said KSF Minister Agim Çeku after meeting British Ambassador Ian Cliff. Asked by reporters whether he backed down on his previous pledge that KSF will transform into a Kosovo army, Çeku said he never backed down on anything in his life but did not mention the term “army”. Minister Çeku also said that according to applicable legislation, members of the parallel security structures in the north cannot join the Kosovo Security Force. He said the current law does not allow increase of number of troops more than 2,500 which KSF has already reached. EULEX is leaving (Lajm) The paper quotes sources as saying that the EU rule of law mission is about to depart Kosovo and that the only problem is the time frame for the mission’s exit. Kosovo leaders are reported to have written a letter to EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and ambassadors of Quint countries announcing that EULEX should end its mission in Kosovo by 31 December of this year. At the same time, EU officials insist the mission continues work until June of 2014. Jahjaga meets former SRSG, Jessen-Petersen (dailies) President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga met yesterday former head of UNMIK Søren Jessen-Petersen and discussed current developments in Kosovo. A statement issued by her office quotes Jahjaga as saying in the meeting that Kosovo has made important steps in all fields and has deepened reforms in the field of rule of law, particularly in the fight against corruption and organized crime. Jessen-Petersen on his part commended Jahjaga for her commitment to representing Kosovo and added that the country has made substantial progress in all fields especially in its European agenda. Kurti: Brussels dialogue blackmailed (Koha Ditore) Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti said in a visit to Shtërpce that prime minister of Kosovo is a blackmailed man and is doing whatever the international community is telling him to. “Talks in Brussels have dialogue on the table but under the table is a file,” he said. “We are privately being told that we’re right but publicly not supported very often while the government officials in private meetings with us are scolded every day but publicly they are supported. I can tell you one thing: that we are growing by the day and increasingly supported,” said Kurti. Joint list of Serbs, does not cause problems (Epoka e Re) Experts of election processes in Kosovo claim that there will be no problems if Serbs of the north decide to participate in the elections of 3 November with a single joint list, as advised by Serbia’s Prime Minister, Ivica Dacic. Head of Central Election Commission, Valdete Daka said that it is a matter of Serbs to decide on the manner of competing, and added that as long as they respect the Law on Elections, this would not present any problem. Former head of CEC Mazllum Baraliu, also stated that the Election Law does not recognize any obstacle on registering of such political entities. Jacobson: The U.S. determined for the rule of law in Kosovo (Koha Ditore) The U.S. Ambassador in Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson and Head of the Constitutional Court, Enver Hasani, promoted on Monday the special edition of the magazine “Justice,” which aims to encourage the academic and scientific community to face the new trends and developments on judicial fields. “Despite the fact that the Constitutional Court was established only four years ago, citizens can today read in its web page the magazine “Justice” and they have the possibility to be informed about their rights,” said Jacobson. She added that U.S. Government cooperated and will continue to cooperate in the future on the rule of law in Kosovo.