UNMIK Headlines 26 February
Dialogue will not give Kosovo a UN seat (Koha Ditore)
According to diplomatic sources, the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia would be able to secure Belgrade a date to begin EU accession talks and for Pristina to begin negotiations for the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, but nothing more. “No. The UN seat is not and cannot be part of discussions,” asserted the EU official.
The source said that there are ideas, in particular from Berlin, suggesting that the dialogue can produce more results than planned, which include Kosovo’s UN membership, but this is unrealistic.
Transition with many question marks (Zëri)
The Prime Ministers’ plan to disband Serbia’s illegal security structures in northern Kosovo is being met with different reactions from Kosovo MPs. Some believe including Serbian police officers in the Kosovo police is evidence of Pristina’s authority in the north, while others believe this represents a kind of ‘Trojan horse’ and give Belgrade authority similar to the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ahmet Isufi, chairman of the parliamentary committee for security and internal affairs, told Radio Free Europe that different Serbian mechanisms operated unimpeded in the north, although they constituted a threat to security in Kosovo. He added that the topic that being discussed in Brussels requires guarantees and accountability from both heads of government. “Responsibility is shouldered by leaders that are holding talks. They are the ones who can either ruin Kosovo’s constitutional order or help create a new reality in Kosovo,” Isufi said.
Jahjaga: Kosovo is a happy place (Koha Ditore)
The paper reprints an interview that Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga gave to Swiss newspaper Sonntagszeitung. Jahjaga said the request to become president of the country came as a surprise to her, and asked if she is treated seriously in meetings with other presidents, she said, “I feel like a junior partner […] They treat me with the same amount of respect as with other heads of state.”
Comparing the time of conflict with the current situation in Kosovo, Jahjaga said she tells other presidents that Kosovo today is happy, full of hope, full of young people, who are proud of their background and achievements, “and can barely wait to build a good future in the European Union.”
EU’s role in the dialogue (Koha Ditore)
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt and US Balkans analyst Daniel Serwer tweeted about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, saying that the progress achieved would not have been possible without the EU and that a more firm EU stance towards the north of Kosovo is required for further success. Responding to Bidlt’s comments, Serwer said he agreed that the EU’s firmness on the north is crucial for the dialogue’s success.
Draft conclusions for the north underway (Tribuna)
The head of the Kosovo team in technical talks with Serbia, Edita Tahiri, travelled to Brussels where she will meet the head of Serbia’s team, Dejan Pavicevic. Both sides are expected to harmonise draft conclusions of agreements hoped to be reached in the meeting on 4 March between Kosovo and Serbia’s prime ministers. Draft conclusions will focus on disbanding northern Serb parallel structures and work of the courts.
LDK against creation of association of Serb municipalities (Epoka e Re)
Ismet Beqiri, head of the parliamentary group of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), said Monday his party is against the creation of the association of Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo. “We see no reason for a special association for the Serb community in Kosovo. The Serb community in Kosovo enjoys more rights than any other community in Europe. If someone in Europe is positively discriminated this is the Serb community in the Republic of Kosovo. This is very clear, because there is no more positive discrimination in other countries […] This is too much,” he added.
Beqiri also argued that Pristina should not hurry to find a solution for the north just to secure a green light for Serbia’s negotiations for EU membership.
Pacolli raises stakes (Express)
Deputy Prime Minister and AKR leader Behgjet Pacolli is reported to be waiting for the return of Prime Minister and PDK leader Hashim Thaçi from South Korea to begin talks on restructuring the Kosovo Government. Although previously both leaders agreed that AKR should take over the Ministry of Economic Development, the paper reports that Pacolli is now seeking other government posts, including another ministry and four deputy ministerial positions.
Krasniqi: PDK decisions made in authoritarian fashion (Koha Ditore)
In an interview for Voice of America, Kosovo Parliamentary Speaker Jakup Krasniqi said his decision not to take part in the managing structures of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) resulted from undemocratic developments in PDK. “I don’t want to be part of structures that fail to respect the democratic norms and procedures,” he said. Krasniqi criticized party leader Hashim Thaçi for his authoritarian positions. He also denied rumors that he will leave the PDK, but he did not rule out other forms of political activity if there is no way to restore democracy in PDK.
Preshevo Valley starts negotiations with Serbia (Zëri)
Talks are underway for resolving the problem of the three predominantly Albanian municipalities in Serbia. There is skepticism, however, that the move may be yet another “optical illusion” of Serbia ahead of being granted the start date for EU membership talks. Be that as it may, the first meeting between representatives of the Serbian Government and Preshevo Valley were held yesterday behind closed doors.
Albanian representatives are said to have prepared a list of nine demands for Belgrade authorities, which include collective rights and freedoms, use of language, national symbols, return of displaced persons, education, integration of Albanians in the public institutions, and economic development of the three municipalities.