Headlines - 25.01.2017

• Parties say dialogue helped in de-escalating tensions (Koha Ditore/Zeri)
• Mustafa: Opposition to be also invited at discussions (KTV)
• Mogherini’s statement following Belgrade-Pristina dialogue
• Islami not accepted as head of commission for territory measurement (Zeri) 

Kosovo Media Highlights 

Parties say dialogue helped in de-escalating tensions (Koha Ditore/Zeri)

The meeting between prime ministers and presidents of Kosovo and Serbia ended last night close to midnight and according to Koha Ditore, the only thing in common between the statements of the two parties following the meeting is that it has helped in de-escalating tensions. Zeri reports that the meeting ended without any concrete result although parties pledged to continue the high-level dialogue.

President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, told reporters after the meeting that he hoped Serbia would renounce nationalist politics towards Kosovo. “Serbia should recognise Kosovo as soon as possible. It is in the interest of the two countries to have peace and full normalisation of relations and this would pave way for European integration,” Thaci said. “I think today’s meeting contributed to Serbia’s leadership realizing that Kosovo is an independent country and will always act as such,” he added. Thaci said the Kosovo side has reemphasised that the wall in Mitrovica north should be demolished and that this is under the competencies of the institutions of Kosovo. Commenting on the Serbian train that attempted to enter Kosovo, Thaci said: “Those who organised and inspired the train issue, with nationalist slogans and motives, should not repeat such things and then present themselves as pigeons of peace because they will get a deserved response from Kosovo every time.” Asked by the reporters whether the issue of Serbia’s arrest warrants against Kosovo leaders was broached in the meeting, Thaci said “all issues have been raised with the EU and the EU was asked to exercise its clear and determined pressure on Belgrade.”

Prime Minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said the meeting was “the most difficult he ever participated” and added that they agreed to refrain from actions that could increase tensions. “I don’t think after this meeting there will be a repetition of situations we saw days ago,” said Vucic while President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic said the train to Mitrovica was aimed to prove symbolically that Kosovo is part of Serbia and accused the Kosovo side for “provocations and threats to use arms.”

Mustafa: Opposition to be also invited at discussions (KTV)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said to KTV after the meeting in Brussels that they agreed to accelerate the dialogue. “We are not able to continue with the dialogue infinitely,” Mustafa said. He also added that the approach towards the dialogue with Serbia will be reconsidered. “We are ready to discuss inclusion of the opposition parties and the civil society. The issues discussed in Brussels do not concern only the institutions but everyone who represents interests of the citizens,” he said.  Asked about the issue of the wall in Mitrovica North, Mustafa said that the wall will be demolished. “We have made it clear that if the wall is not demolished by those who built it, it will be demolished by the institutions of Kosovo,” Mustafa said.

Mogherini’s statement following Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, released a statement following the high level meeting in the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina where she thanked the participants for an open and very constructive meeting. “They discussed the developments over the past days, agreed to leave the tensions behind and to focus on the work ahead,” Mogherini said. She added that she was encouraged by the leadership, vision, commitment and engagement shown by the leaders to address and solve issues of mutual concern through dialogue. “Both sides agreed to take the Dialogue forward in a spirit of respect, cooperation and mutual understanding. Discussions between the sides will intensify over the next days. We decided to have a series of rounds of the high level Dialogue, starting from the coming days.”

Islami not accepted as head of commission for territory measurement (Zeri)

Nomination of the head of Kosovo’s Academy of Sciences and Arts, Hivzi Islami, to chair the State Commission for Measurement of the Territory, is being harshly objected by the opposition parties and political analysts. They consider that establishment of the Commission intends to camouflage the damage caused to Kosovo with the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. Islami on the other hand promised to stay away from political influence, bias and groups of interest.