Headlines - 15.08.2013 Good neighborhood precondition for EU integration (Tribuna) Deputy Prime Minister, Edita Tahiri, has met with the German Special Envoy for Western Balkans, Turkey and EFTA states, Ernst Reichel, with whom she talked about the political developments in Kosovo and about the dialogue for normalization of interstate relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Ambassador Reichel said that the path of building a good neighborhood  through regional cooperation is precondition to move forward towards European Union and NATO and added that Germany will continue to be committed in the implementation of the agreement for normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia but requested more engagement from all parties in this direction. Elections crucial for integration of Serbs in the north (Epoka e Re) Epoka e Re reports that in a meeting with the head of OSCE mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean-Claude Schlumberger, Kosovo Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, spoke of the continuous progress achieved in Kosovo, in all aspects. Minister Hoxhaj and Ambassador Schlumberger also talked about the election process of 3 November and its importance for all Kosovo citizens. Hoxhaj said that the role of OSCE in this process is very important in advancing of overall progress in Kosovo. Hoxhaj said that the two coming months are crucial time for the integration of Serb community in the north, for the social and institutional life in Kosovo and for the creation of a joint state and political culture. He also noted that in local elections of 3 November, the OSCE would have only a facilitating role. He said that engagement of OSCE does not contradict with Kosovo Constitution. UNMIK obstructing recognitions (Tribuna) The Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs keeps insisting on the closing of UN mission saying its presence is seriously undermining the process of independence’s recognitions. Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj said they are carefully analyzing implications that UNMIK’s presence is having on international recognition of Kosovo. He said the UN has played an important role in the institutional building process in Kosovo but that its mandate has now been fulfilled. “After the implementation of Ahtisaari’s Plan, the end of supervision, reaching over 100 recognitions, joining many international mechanisms, dialogue and agreements with Serbia and opening of SAA negotiations, we think there is no reason why UNMIK should stay in Kosovo and Resolution 1244 remain operational and functional,” said Hoxhaj. CEC announces tender for voting ballots (Zëri) Central Elections Commission (CEC) has published a tender for printing out of ballots and brochures for the upcoming local elections set to take place on 3 November. The tender has been announced on 5 August and will be open for three weeks. Officials from the CEC Secretariat said they are working in accordance to the operational plan and are on track. “We are on time regarding the tender for ballots,” said Enis Halimi. Deda: Degradation of the country continues (dailies) Director of the Kosovo-based institute for policy research and development KIPRED, Ilir Deda, said in an interview for Radio Free Europe that the political degradation of Kosovo is continuing through the negotiations process and if the emblem of the Republic of Kosovo is removed from the voting ballots it will once again demonstrate that Kosovo is doing everything to neutralize itself in face of its status. “None of the parties entered the process in order to truly normalize relations and Brussels’ goal at the start of this agenda in 2011 of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia was to show there is agreement,” said Deda adding that the EU wasn’t even interested in monitoring the implementation of the agreements but was forced to get involved after the insisting of the US and part of Kosovo institutions. Serbs warn of blocking Jarinje (Zëri) Trade unionists and representatives of social enterprises in Leosavic, Zubin Potok and a part of Mitrovica have set barricades on the road at Jarinje border point on Wednesday from 10:00 to 13:00 hours and they will continue to do so on Thursday and Friday. In this manner they want to express dissatisfaction for Serbia’s interruption of temporary allowances, since January of this year. Member of organizing Council of the protest, Milomir Perovic, said to the media that blocking of the road will continue.