Headlines - 25.01.2014

Extension of reserved seats, without changing the Constitution (Tribuna) 

Representatives of the biggest political parties, do not exclude the possibility that extension of the reserved seats for minority communities, will happen without opening the Constitution of Kosovo, but only through a political agreement. According to them, such agreement should be reached in harmony with the international factor. This option is currently being supported by the Democratic Party of Kosovo, parties which represent minority communities and recently, a positive assessment has been expressed also by the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo.  Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetevendosje, are against this option. Head of PDK Parliamentary Group, Adem Grabovci, considers that solution for the reserved seats should be sought in political agreements and not in constitutional changes.  

Serbia conditioned with complete normalization of relations with Kosovo (Bota Sot) 

Senior official for enlargement ay the European Commission, Christian Danielsson, stated yesterday in Belgrade that the negotiating framework has clear conditions for Serbia related to Kosovo, and they concern complete normalization of relations but do not precise the manner of reaching this. “It stands clear that normalization of relations is constituent part of the process of negotiations, it speaks about the judicially  obligatory document and complete normalization,” stated Danielsson at the press conference in Belgrade.

Vulin: Serbia will not recognize Kosovo (Tribuna) 

The Minister without portfolio at the Government of Serbia, Aleksandar Vulin, stated on the other hand that “the issue of the status of Kosovo will not be resolved within the Chapter 35.” “Neither the Chapter 35 nor the dialogue with Pristina are places where the issue of the status can be resolved. They can be resolved at the United Nations Security Council. Serbia will not recognize Kosovo, and there is no reason to speak about this. Our partners at EU understand this, and they do not make this question to us,” said Vulin for Serbian daily Vecernje Novosti.

Stojanovic: We do not want a “Republika Srpska” (Zeri) 

The recently elected mayor of Gracanica, and official of Srpska List supported by Belgrade, Branimir Stojanovic, has denied that Serbs are engaged on creation of a Republika Srpska in Kosovo. In an interview for this daily, he says that such accusations are slander and malicious. He said that immediately after taking over his position, he has engaged an Albanian advisor, and he has submitted the request to the Ministry of Local Government to have an Albanian deputy, since he already has one from Roma community. However he stated that when participation of Serbs in general elections is concerned, he would initially consult Belgrade on the issue.

Slovakia does not change its position towards Kosovo (dailies) 

The Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, has not given any indications that his country would recognize Kosovo, at least not in a short period of time. After his meeting with Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, in Tirana, Fico stated that Slovakia does not see reason to change its political position towards Kosovo.  “However, I would like to stress the importance of the current dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and we support this dialogue,” said Fico after the meeting with his Albanian counterpart.