Headlines - 14.02.2013 Ashton expects results (Express) EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Catherine Ashton urged the UN Security Council to assist in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. In her annual address before the Security Council, Lady Ashton said that first concrete results have been achieved in the dialogue. “We have the agreement for integrated border management and now all border crossings are open and functional. We have an agreement for protection of cultural and religious heritage. We have an agreement to appoint liaison officers to be hosted in the EU premises in Belgrade and Pristina,” said Ashton. She further commended both Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi and that of Serbia Ivica Dacic for their approach to discussions and the courage they demonstrated. “It is not an easy process for either of them. But they have our full support and I count on the support of this Council,” Ashton said. Difficult duel between Thaçi and Dacic (Zëri) The fifth meeting between Prime Minister of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi and Serbia’s Prime Minister Ivica Dacic is expected to be one of the most difficult ones since the start of the dialogue for the fact that the talks will focus on disbanding of Serbia’s illegal structures in the north of Kosovo. Only few days before the next meeting of prime ministers takes place, advisor to PM Thaçi, Bekim Çollaku, confirmed to the paper that the upcoming round of dialogue is likely to resemble a “marathon”. “The next meeting will be more intensive and will last two days. The topics that will be raised in the future meeting have to do with establishment of rule of law in the north, namely the disbanding of Serbia’s illegal structures in the security sector,” said Çollaku. Recognition of Kosovo could be a condition (Express) Acceptance of the statehood of Kosovo could be a precondition for European integration of Serbia even though this has not been mentioned officially, said the head of the Foreign Affairs Council in French Parliament, Elizabeth Gig. She emphasized that France will insist on further progress in the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade and it is carefully following developments in the field. However, said Gig, if nothing is achieved, Serbia could face a new condition – acceptance of Kosovo’s independence. Thaçi on visas: We are unjustly delayed (Epoka e Re) Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi has evaluated that the lack of unity inside European Union about status of Kosovo is negatively influencing the process of visa liberalization. “We have been treated as second-hand citizens in former Yugoslavia, but at this time I don’t want to believe and make such comparisons of something like that happening also by the EU. We are about 2 million citizens, we are people that know and understand Europe. We are the youngest Europeans and we are delayed unjustly from moving freely in the EU countries”, Thaçi said. Local elections may cost Jahjaga her post (Koha Ditore) Any decision of the Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga in extending the mandate of local authorities or cutting short of the central government’s mandate would be anti-constitutional, said legal experts. However, leaders of political parties have introduced the idea of local elections be postponed for a period of six months which would mean new elections would take place in later spring of next year and would coincide with the general elections. Kosovo officials assured that postponing local elections by six months would not represent a violation of legal procedures. An unnamed Kosovo legal expert told the paper that any decision the president takes that is considered to be anti-constitutional will automatically lead to the president’s dismissal. Jahjaga is reported to have met the head of Central Elections Commission Valdete Daka yesterday to clarify the issue of local elections timeframe and she also consulted the OSCE on the matter. No agreement on election lists (dailies) Representatives of main political parties in Kosovo met yesterday to discuss the way to proceed with election reform and though they agreed in principle to have next elections with open lists, they will still discuss the issue at their respective parties before coming out with a stance. “The plan was to go with open lists, there are ideas for closed lists as well but since there is no consensus yet, I can say it would be in the interest to have these discussions take place with the will of the entire political spectrum,” said Prime Minister and leader of PDK, Hashim Thaçi after the meeting. Çeku: Non-participation of KLA associations fades celebrations (Koha Ditore) Koha Ditore reports that the member of organizational council for the marking of the fifth anniversary of Kosovo independence and at the same time Kosovo Security Force Minister, Agim Çeku, stated that the “absence of war veterans organizations in the celebrations of the fifth anniversary of Kosovo independence will fade this event”.