Headlines - 31.03.2017

• Mustafa: Kosovo remains the only isolated country in Europe (RTK)
• Govt doesn’t say how Serbian elections will be organized in Kosovo (Koha)
• Special court, one of the reasons behind early elections (Zeri)
• Veseli announces tour with local and international experts (media)
• Demarcation deal with Montenegro to be voted on April 6? (RTK)
• Haradinaj continues to oppose border demarcation with Montenegro (media)
• Djuric: Kosovo fears the power and unity of Serbs (Koha)
• Ramadani: One of the terror suspects fought in Syria (Klan Kosova) 

Mustafa: Kosovo remains the only isolated country in Europe (RTK)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said at the congress of European People’s Party that Kosovo has remained the most isolated country in Europe as its people still face visa regime. In a Facebook post, Mustafa said he spoke at the congress about Kosovo’s progress and that with regards to visa liberalization, “I asked for a creative solution, some type of modality whereby the citizens would enjoy free movement while we would work on ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro”.

Govt doesn’t say how Serbian elections will be organized in Kosovo (Koha)

The Kosovo government is keeping silent despite the fact that Serbian presidential elections will be held in Kosovo’s territory on April 2, the paper reports on page four. While Serbia has appointed the members of election councils even for Kosovo’s territory, the Kosovo government led by Isa Mustafa has yet to say what modality will be used for these elections in Serbia. OSCE officials meanwhile have confirmed that this mission is ready to undertake the operation of collecting ballots.

Special court, one of the reasons behind early elections (Zeri)

The paper reports on its front page that the special court, which will address war crimes allegations in Kosovo, is one of the reasons behind calls for early parliamentary elections. The paper predicts that once the court becomes functional, it will cause tremors in Kosovo’s political landscape as indictments will be filed against members of certain political parties. According to some political experts, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) could win the elections again if they are held before the first indictments of the special court, otherwise this party risks going in the opposition.

Veseli announces tour with local and international experts (media)

Several media report that Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Kadri Veseli has announced starting from next week he will hold meetings with local and international experts aimed at finding solutions for problems that Kosovo is facing. Epoka e Re quotes Veseli as saying that he will draft a plan in coordination with local and international experts. “Currently there is a great gap between what the people want and what politicians are doing both in the Assembly and in government,” Veseli said.

Demarcation deal with Montenegro to be voted on April 6? (RTK)

The news website reports that the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro could be put to vote in the Kosovo Assembly on April 6. Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) MP, Lah Brahimaj, told RTK that the Assembly has cancelled the visits of MPs abroad, because according to him the border deal will be included in the Assembly’s agenda on April 6.

Haradinaj continues to oppose border demarcation with Montenegro (media)

Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj is still opposed to the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. Haradinaj posted on his Facebook account on Thursday: “Evil government members continue to deceive the people, the country and our friends. The current version of demarcation is wrong and it needs to be rejected in the Assembly. Deceivers must understand that long gone is the time when neighbors could take away land from Albanians”.

Djuric: Kosovo fears the power and unity of Serbs (Koha)

Head of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric, said that the blocking of roads in Kosovo ahead of election rally in Leposaviq/Leposavic showed that “Pristina fears the power and unity of Serbs”. “Someone doesn’t like the idea that Aleksandar Vucic can gather more people in a rally in Kosovo, in Leposaviq/Leposavic, than many Albanian political leaders could. This is why they were afraid and tried to prevent the rally,” Djuric told Serbian media. He said Serbs in Kosovo are not intimidated and will go out and give full support to Vucic. Djuric also said that Serbian presidential elections will be organised in Kosovo in cooperation with OSCE.

Ramadani: One of the terror suspects fought in Syria (Klan Kosova)

Security expert, Burim Ramadani, said in an interview to Klan Kosova that one of the persons arrested by Italian authorities on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack fought in Syria beforehand. “One of these persons was part of fighting in Syria. He later returned to Kosovo and then went to Italy,” Ramadani said. He noted that Kosovo institutions have made more efforts than neighbouring countries to fight radicalism but said Kosovo has not enough capacities to tackle the issue.