Headlines - 15.01.2013 Thaçi to regulate the north in the dialogue with Serbia (Koha Ditore) Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi said that he will not negotiate about the north with Serbian PM Ivica Dacic, but he intends to regulate problematic issues in the area. In an open letter, the Kosovo Government announced the objectives it wants to achieve in the dialogue with Serbia, the offer for Serbs in the north, and the “red lines” that has Kosovo in this process. According to senior government officials, who spoke on condition of remaining anonymous, these stances open a path to create a fund for the north, which is expected to result from an agreement between PM Thaçi and PM Dacic. The letter has not been called a platform, but expresses basic intentions and stances, which Kosovo will maintain in the dialogue. In this press communiqué, it says that the Government will not discuss Kosovo’s status or independence declared on 17 February 2008 with Serbia.  Autonomy, not even a topic of debate (Zëri) Before his trip to Brussels, PM Thaçi met with Kosovo political party leaders, except Vetëvendosje, to brief them on the topics that will be discussed. Thaçi met Isa Mustafa, Blerim Shala, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, Mahir Jagcilar, and Slobodan Petrovic, and informed them that the recently approved resolution by the Assembly of Serbia will not be put on the table in the dialogue, nor will the Presevo Valley issue. Thaçi also ruled out the possibility of northern municipalities obtaining autonomous status.  Rohan: I refuse any kind of territorial autonomy (Koha Ditore) Former UN deputy envoy in talks for the status of Kosovo, Albert Rohan, rejects autonomy for northern Kosovo, in an effort to clarify his position in a statement made a few days ago for the paper. Rohan said that he supports the so-called “model of two Germanys”, referring to the agreement between Western and Eastern Germany, “as a possible model for two countries to build up a normal relationship without formally recognizing each other, which also includes not obstructing Kosovo’s membership in the United Nations.” “Regarding the north, I always refused the concept of regional autonomy”, said Rohan, adding that he believes Wolfgang Ischinger, European special envoy on additional talks after status negotiations, is also in agreement.  Çollaku: Belgrade documents, unacceptable (Zëri) Kosovo Prime Minister’s advisor Bekim Çollaku is critical of documents on Kosovo originating from the Serbian Government and Assembly. “Our approach to these documents will be such that if they are put on the table in the Brussels meeting, they will be completely unacceptable and irrelevant,” Çollaku is quoted.  U.S.: Serbian platform does not help dialogue (Zëri) The US Government has yet to comment on the Serbian resolution and political platform on Kosovo. Meanwhile, a source from the U.S. State Department told RTK that the platform not only fails to assist in relations between the two countries, “but it could also hinder and damage high-level political dialogue.” American analysts believe the Serbian resolution and platform wishes to maintain formal sovereignty over Kosovo’s territory and create a system where Kosovo Serbs would govern separately. Professor Daniel Serwer from Johns Hopkins University believes this platform could provoke armed conflicts.  Kacin: Resolution positive for dialogue (Express) The European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia, Jelko Kacin, stated on Monday that Serbia’s resolution for Kosovo is beneficial for dialogue and enables quicker progress for relations between Belgrade and Pristina. Kacin encouraged Serbia’s PM and Government to carry on with the dialogue and believes that the most important part of this resolution is that the dialogue is transitioning into a more serious institutional phase. “And it no longer depends on the political will, but has been established as a sustainable principal,” Kacin told Radio Free Europe.  Hamza from minister to Central Bank Governor (Koha Ditore) Bedri Hamza resigned from the post of Minister of Finance, claiming that it was decided for his family and personal career. Unidentified sources told the paper that Hamza is considering entering the race to become governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo. He submitted his resignation to PM Thaçi, which will  be adopted by the Government on Wednesday.  Thaçi preparing ‘ground’ for AAK (Zëri) Finance Minister Bedri Hamza’s resignation is viewed as part of preparations for AAK to join the Government. Sources told the paper that, apart from PM Thaçi wanting to accommodate his closest associates, he also wishes to include AAK in the ruling coalition. AAK deputy leader Ahmet Isufi said that Hamza’s resignation doesn’t necessarily mean the Government is reshuffling. “What I can say is that AAK expects to reach a coalition agreement in the next coming days,” added Isufi.  Veseli: Haradinaj PM only with citizens’ votes (dailies) PDK member and former head of Kosovo Intelligence Service (SHIK) Kadri Veseli said that AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj can only become prime minister of Kosovo if he wins the votes of the people. “We have a democratic process, which should be respected by all; all us of in politics should adhere to those democratic rules,” Veseli told Radio Dukagjini. Hoxhaj seeks recognition in Arab world (dailies) Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj called on Egypt and all member states of the Arab League to recognize the independence of Kosovo. During his visit to Cairo on Monday, Hoxhaj met Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr and the Secretary General of the Arab League, Nabil Al-Araby. “As far as Egypt recognizing Kosovo’s independence is concerned, I can say we are seriously considering the matter and we hope we will make the right decision at the right time. This issue remains high on our foreign policy agenda,” the Egyptian Foreign Minister said during the meeting. The Arab League Secretary General offered his support for Kosovo and the recognition of independence. Al-Araby said Kosovo’s independence is a reality and that it should be considered as such by all member states of the United Nations. Borhart: In Kosovo, work with many challenges (Epoka e Re) New EULEX chief Bernt Borhart said Monday in Brussels that challenging duties await him in Kosovo. He is convinced that citizens want democratic institutions in rule of law, to fight corruption and organized crime. According to Borhart, some significant court and property cases for EULEX have shown important results. Xavier de Marnhac, former EULEX chief, was also present at the press conference and stated that EULEX supports implementing agreements reached between Pristina and Belgrade, especially on integrated border management.