Kosovo like Taiwan! (Tribuna)
The current political dialogue with Belgrade will not enable Kosovo to join the United Nations. Unnamed diplomatic sources told the paper that it was made clear to Pristina that it needs to withdraw from this objective in this phase of dialogue. Everything that Kosovo will manage to get from the current dialogue is the removal of the footnote during its representation in the international arena. The removal of the footnote but the lack of UN membership will make Kosovo similar to Taiwan which declared independence but internationally is still part of the People’s Republic of China.

Moreover, some countries that have not recognized Kosovo’s independence are planning to establish informal presences with Pristina. Such a tendency prevails among the five non-recognizing member states of the European Union.

Kosovo and Serbia prime ministers, Hashim Thaci and Ivica Dacic, will meet in early December to negotiate the functioning of the association of Serb majority municipalities in Kosovo. The removal of the footnote and the functioning of the association are expected to be part of the second agreement for normalization of relations between the two countries.

The paper learns that in addition to its assembly, the association of Serb majority municipalities will also have several officials who in practice will perform the role of ministers of respective departments.

Government: Approach toward Serbia to change after elections (Koha)
The Government of Kosovo is saying that after the end of municipal run-off elections, conditions will be created to apply even greater pressure on Serbia for the full implementation of the Brussels agreement. Except for the Association of Serb majority municipalities, which Belgrade insists should be established as soon as possible, it is not showing any interest in implementing other points of the agreement, especially points related to the dissolution of parallel structures in the northern part of Kosovo.

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci said on Tuesday that after local elections conditions will be created for greater pressure on Belgrade. “They have yet to implement many actions, but after elections there will be new circumstances and the commitment will be greater,” he said.

Officials in the Office of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, on Wednesday did not want to comment on the violation of deadlines of the agreement. In earlier statement, Ashton’s spokesperson said work was underway with both parties to achieve further progress in the implementation of the agreement.

Jahjaga and Thaçi inaugurate unfinished highway (Koha)
Koha Ditore reports that Kosovo prime Minister, Hashim Thaçi called the project of the highway as finished, even that it has not reached Merdare, as it has been planned in the beginning, but only the village of Besi, municipality of Pristina. In inauguration ceremony, which is not the first one since it has stared with building of the highway “Ibrahim Rugova”, it has not been talked what will be with the remaining part up to the border with Serbia. It has not been talked also about details of the contract with Bechtel-Enka, including its costs.

Jahjaga calls for calm race in runoff elections (dailies)
Several dailies quote Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga as saying that Kosovo’s road to Europe will become easier once internal reforms are completed. She called for a smooth conclusion of the municipal elections process. “We proved our maturity as a society in the November 3 municipal elections, we passed the test of democracy through a proper organization of elections. This was only one part of the test,” said Jahjaga. “On December 1 we have to prove that votes of the people of Kosovo, in the north and the south, are sacred, free, untouchable and inviolable. The constitution guarantees the people’s right to vote.”

Rasmussen and Zannier talk about elections (Zeri)
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen talked on Tuesday with OSCE chief Lamberto Zannier about many issues including local elections in Kosovo. Rasmussen said cooperation between NATO, OSCE, EULEX and KFOR was excellent. He also added that KFOR would continue to contribute to the preservation of a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement in Kosovo.

Ceku: November 27 will remain the Day of the Army (Epoka e Re)
In an interview for the paper, Agim Ceku, Minister of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), said he strongly believes that in early 2014 the KSF will assume defense competencies for the whole territory of Kosovo. Ceku said the government and parliament will delegate this task to the KSF the latest by February next year after the revision of the security sector strategy. Ceku also said that November 27 – the Day of the KSF – will be forever remembered as the Day of the Army.