Headlines - 24.01.2017

• Dialogue in the hands of the presidents (Epoka e Re)
• “Serbia’s arrest warrants to be discussed in Brussels” (Telegrafi)
• Vetevendosje wants special session of Assembly to discuss dialogue (Bota Sot)
• Serbian train, focus of Bushati-Mogherini meeting (Koha Ditore)
• President Thaci has been denounced before special court (Koha Ditore)
• Haradinaj: I will not be extradited to Serbia (Epoka e Re)
• No results expected on measuring the territory without the opposition (Epoka) 

Kosovo Media Highlights 

Dialogue in the hands of the presidents (Epoka e Re)

Kosovo and Serbia are restarting dialogue for normalization of relations, after the recent tensions. However the new round of this process which is expected to be held today, will be led for the first time by the President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, and Serbia’s President Tomislav Nikolić. Kosovo and Serbia prime ministers will also be present at this meeting which will be mediated by the EU High Representative, Frederica Mogherini. The meeting is expected to open a new chapter, however Kosovo opposition parties objected to the continuance of this process.

“I think that it is the prime time to open the last chapter of the dialogue between the state of Kosovo and that of Serbia, the chapter of normalization of inter-state relations, which means normalization in the political filed, that of security, economical, regional and European integrations, always based on the European perspective of the two countries,” Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi said to Radio Free Europe. He added that no issue was set for Tuesday’s discussions; however he denied the possibility of discussions about the internal issues of Kosovo. Serbia on the other hand does not have high expectations about the meeting. “I do not expect much, but I expect calming of the situation,” Serbia’s Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić said. 

“Serbia’s arrest warrants to be discussed in Brussels” (Telegrafi)

President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, said to RTV Dukagjini, that the revocation of Serbia’s arrest warrants against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) fighters will be discussed in the dialogue for normalization of relations with Serbia. He said he believed the final chapter of the dialogue is beginning and will end with mutual recognitions between Serbia and Kosovo. Speaking about the Mitrovica North wall, Thaci said “the wall should be demolished as soon as possible.” 

Vetevendosje wants special session of Assembly to discuss dialogue (Bota Sot)

Vetevendosje leader, Visar Ymeri, has asked for a special session of Kosovo Assembly to discuss dialogue with Serbia. Ymeri said President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci and Prime Minister Isa Mustafa have no mandate to lead talks in Brussels without discussing their platform in Pristina. He said Vetevendosje is already collecting signatures from MPs to call a special session as soon as possible.

Serbian train, focus of Bushati-Mogherini meeting (Koha Ditore)

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, said in a meeting with Albanian Foreign Minister, Ditmir Bushati, that she is personally committed to clarify the recent incident between Kosovo and Serbia regarding the Belgrade-Mitrovica train. Bushati said Serbia’s attempt to send the train to Kosovo without the permission of authorities was a provocation that risks spiraling into a conflict. 

President Thaci has been denounced before special court (Koha Ditore)

The family of Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) activist, Haki Imeri, killed under yet unknown circumstances in 1999, has denounced President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci to the special court as being involved in their loved one’s death, the paper reports on the front page. On 2 November 1999, Haki Imeri was coming back from work with a friend when kidnapped by three persons suspected to have been members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and later found dead. Haki Imeri’s son, Kastriot, has now written to the special court in the hope that his father’s death would be solved. Only last week, Thaci paid tribute to Imeri’s grave and organised a ceremony in his honour. 

Haradinaj: I will not be extradited to Serbia (Epoka e Re)

The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, spoke to Deutche Welle about the moment when he was arrested by the French police. He said that he will not be extradited to Serbia. “No, I do not believe that extradition is an issue. Everyone should understand that Serbia does not possess the jurisdiction over the citizens of Kosovo, over me. I am from Kosovo, and Serbia does not have any jurisdiction over Kosovo. The jurisdiction belongs to Kosovo. I have respected the international law. So I respected the national and international law, by responding voluntarily to the invitation for the process in Hague. Serbia’s current approach is an insult to international law, but also to the Interpol and principles of the international organisations,” Haradinaj said.   

No results expected on measuring the territory without the opposition (Epoka)

The state commission for measurement of the territory of Kosovo will hold its first meeting today. The commission is comprised of experts delegated by the institutions and political parties of Kosovo. Observing experts from the relevant international factors are also expected to participate at the meeting. However, the representatives of the opposition political parties stated that they would not become part of this commission. Political analyst Driton Selmanaj told Radio Free Europe that opposition parties might have their own reasons; however, sabotage of any initiative cannot be valued. “In the political context, I expect a minimal result, because consent of the opposition is required,” he said. He added that he believes that the commission is convincing more MPs from the governing coalition than those of the opposition.