Headlines - 27.02.2013 Association of Serb municipalities after elections in the north (Koha Ditore) The legal basis for the association of northern municipalities to function already exists as the Assembly approved the creation of an umbrella decision-making mechanism during this mandate. Based on this, municipalities can establish joint working groups, joint public institutions, joint public undertakings, and joint public-private partnerships. The Kosovo Government said Tuesday it believes that the association of Serb municipalities cannot function without a legitimate local government created in northern Kosovo. With regards to how this association would function, Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi said inter-municipality cooperation will legally serve as a roadmap. “The association should only include people who are going to be elected in local elections held based on our laws. Elections there are also a topic in the dialogue, which are needed to be organized within this year according to Kosovo laws,” said Kuçi. “Our stance is and remains the one which is on the law, which reflected the Ahtisaari document and nothing else.”  Association of municipalities goes beyond Ahtisaari (Zëri) Representatives of the Kosovo opposition and civil society consider that the creation of the association of northern municipalities is a kind of a mini parliament that will not be accountable to authorities in Pristina, only to Belgrade. It has also been suggested that the association threatens Ahtisaari’s package and creates a negative impact on the north. Head of the Kosovo-based think tank KIPRED Ilir Deda warned that the association will exceed Ahtisaari’s package and, “if the Kosovo politics remains silent until 4 March, Kosovo should reward itself with a northern ‘Republika Srpska.’” “Regardless of what it may be called, Serbia’s aim is to create a mini parliament where municipalities delegate their own representatives,” said LDK’s Lutfi Haziri. Vetëvendosje, however, said the north is clearly heading towards autonomy.  The north turns into a protectorate (Tribuna) According to sourcesm, northern Kosovo is expected to initially enter a provisional phase until a final solution is found as part of a future dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade. Sources close to the current negotiations said normalcy will be restored during this two-three year phase. Meanwhile, a final solution would be sought in a new process after the provisional period. For Kosovo and Serbia to move forward in European integration processes, Hashim Thaçi and Ivica Dacic will have to secure that agreements are implemented, which Baroness Catherine Ashton will present as conclusions over the next two months.  Thaçi briefs Jahjaga on the last round of talks with Serbia (dailies) Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga met Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, who briefed her on the recent meeting he had with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic in Brussels.  Thaçi mentioned the agreements that were reached in principle, which are expected to be formalized in the upcoming meeting on 4 March. Thaçi said the agreement foresees disbanding Serbia’s police and intelligence structures, holding local elections in the four northern municipalities, and reestablishment the justice system. Thaçi stressed that all these arrangements are in full accordance to the Constitution of Kosovo and the country’s legislation. Jahjaga fully supported the dialogue and highlighted that it is the only successful way for normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Kacin: Historic opportunity (Express) The European Parliament’s Rapporteur for Serbia, Jelko Kacin, said a historic agreement on northern Kosovo can be reached in the next two rounds of talks between Kosovo and Serbian prime ministers in Brussels. Kacin said such an agreement would result in Serbia getting a date for the start of EU membership negotiations. “The key condition is the normalization of relations with Pristina, an area in which we have seen sufficient progress. I am confident that the European Commission, EU member states including Germany, will acknowledge this,” Kacin said. “It is very important that Pristina agreed with the association of Serb municipalities. I hope the prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo will reach a comprehensive solution for the north in the next two rounds of talks. The agreement is close at hand and I trust Thaçi and Dacic will use this opportunity.”  EULEX: Attacks in the north threaten citizens (Epoka e Re) EULEX and Kosovo police released statements following attacks in the north saying that they are doing the outmost to prevent escalation of the situation in the north. EULEX condemned latest attacks involving hand grenades in northern Kosovo and called on those who have information about these attacks to report them to authorities. “These irresponsible and reckless attacks are a direct threat to the local community and public safety; they challenge the rule of law. It is important for those who have information relating to these attacks to come forward, so that those who are carrying them out can be prevented from further endangering members of the public,” said the Head of EULEX Executive Police, Ole Madsen.  Rexhepi ready to report to Assembly’s committee (dailies) Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi dismissed allegations from the members of the Assembly’s committee for security and internal affairs that he is ignoring the committee by failing to report to them. Minister Rexhepi said he is always ready to report whenever he is invited to do so and believes the statements to be unfounded. Rexhepi’s dismissal being planned (Tribuna) Sources told the paper that three opposition parties - LDK, Vetëvendosje, and AAK - plan to request that the Assembly dismiss Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi. The three parties support this initiative, but did not specify when they will act.