Headlines - 05.10.2016

• EU insists: No visa liberalisation without border demarcation (Zëri)
• EULEX supports strengthening of judiciary in the north (Epoka e Re)
• Limaj: Consensus needed on demarcation contesting issues (Epoka e Re)
• Thaçi’s lawyer claims his client isn’t aware what he is charged with (Bota Sot)
• Viets: Only European integration brings stability to the Balkans (Koha)
• UN Security Council to vote on new Secretary-General today (media)

EU insists: No visa liberalisation without border demarcation (Zëri)

Kosovo legislators are reported to have received clear message from the EU that there will be no visa liberalisation without ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. Members of the Kosovo Assembly Committee on Stabilisation and Association made the remarks after returning from an official visit to Brussels. They added that apart from the rule of law condition, border demarcation remains the most important criteria that the EU insists it has to be met before waiving the visa regime for Kosovo.

EULEX supports strengthening of judiciary in the north (Epoka e Re)

Head of EULEX, Alexandra Papadopoulou met yesterday mayors of northern municipalities and discussed the EU mission’s new mandate and cooperation with the municipalities in the north. “EULEX stands ready to continue supporting the strengthening of rule of law institutions in the north, as well as supporting the implementation of agreements reached between Pristina and Belgrade”, Papadopoulou is quoted as saying in a press release issued by EULEX after the meeting.

Limaj: Consensus needed on demarcation contesting issues (Epoka e Re)

In a front-page interview for the paper, leader of the opposition Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) party, Fatmir Limaj, argued that the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro should be drafted afresh and to give the opportunity to relevant experts to sit down and discuss contesting issues. “The government should now reflect and find a solution. This is what we expect. Anything other than this is an expression of arrogance, expression of readiness to unnecessary disturb the country”, said Limaj.

Thaçi’s lawyer claims his client is not aware what he is charged with (Bota Sot)

The lawyer for the Kosovo Police director for Mitrovica, Nehat Thaçi, who was arrested by Serbian authorities on terrorism charges, told Radio Free Europe that his client was not interviewed by the police and is not aware on what charges he was detained. Thaçi’s lawyer, Sead Spahović, said there is an ongoing debate between the prosecutions in Niš and Belgrade over who has the competencies to tackle his client’s case. He also said that from the court documents he has seen, Thaçi is accused of expelling a family from Lipjan after introducing himself as a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Meanwhile, RTV 21 reported that a protest has been called for today in Mitrovica against Thaçi’s arrest. The protest is being organised by Mitrovica Municipality.

Viets: Only European integration brings stability to the Balkans (Koha)

The German Ambassador to Kosovo, Angelika Viets, said on Tuesday that her country will continue to support Kosovo and all of Western Balkans in their path for reforms and changes. Viets said the process of European integration can bring stability and well-being to the region, despite some open issues that the countries will need to resolve. “We will continue to support Kosovo and neighboring countries in their difficult path. There are many open issues in several parts of the Western Balkans. After many wars in the region, we know that only through the European integration of Western Balkans, including Kosovo, can long-term stability and well-being be achieved,” Viets said during a visit to Prizren.

UN Security Council to vote on new Secretary-General today (media)

Pristina-based news website Indeksonline reports that the United Nations Security Council will hold the sixth secret vote today that will determine who will be new the UN Secretary-General. The news website also notes that Antonio Guterres, former Prime Minister of Portugal, is the leading candidate for the post after fifth rounds of voting.