Headlines - 10.03.2018

• Haradinaj believes border demarcation will conclude next week (RTK)
• Border demarcation: Pacolli meets Radojicic in his private residence (Telegrafi)
• Serbian List: Border demarcation a non-issue for us (Koha)
• Vetevendosje: Correction then ratification of border with Montenegro (media)
• Next round of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue on 19 March (Koha)
• US Assistant Secretary of State to visit Kosovo (Klan Kosova)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Haradinaj believes border demarcation will conclude next week (RTK)

In an interview to the public broadcaster, Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj said he believed the issue of the border demarcation with Montenegro will be concluded in the coming week. Haradinaj did not say however whether the Serbian List or Vetevendosje will be voting for the demarcation agreement. The Serbian List, said Haradinaj, is still considering its position on the matter and “I am deeply convinced we will find common language.”

Border demarcation: Pacolli meets Radojicic in his private residence (Telegrafi)

RTV Dukagjini reported that Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, met in his private residence in the outskirts of Pristina, Milan Radojicic, a Kosovo Serb businessman from the north, in an effort to have him use his influence to convince the Serbian List to support the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. According to sources, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj also joined them later on. Radojicic has recently received media attention for allegations that he was involved in the murder of the Kosovo Serb political leader, Oliver Ivanovic.

Serbian List: Border demarcation a non-issue for us (Koha)

Belgrade news agency Tanjug has reported that the Serbian List has refuted reports it has agreed to support the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. In a statement, the Serbian List declared that border demarcation is a non-issue for them. “We are not at all interested in the matter,” it said.

Vetevendosje: Correction then ratification of border with Montenegro (media)

Vetevendosje has called on the government of Kosovo to first correct the border line with Montenegro and then proceed with ratification of the demarcation agreement. In an open letter to Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti suggested that the correction of the border demarcation could take place alongside the fight against corruption, as the two remaining visa liberalisation criteria. He said that both these conditions could be fulfilled around the same time, thus paving way for visa-free travel for the people of Kosovo.

Next round of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue on 19 March (Koha)

European Commission spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, announced that the next round of technical dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia will take place from 19 to 21 March in Brussels. Kocijancic said the topics of discussion will include implementation of agreements, particularly that relating to the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities, energy, Mitrovica main bridge, freedom of movement and integrated border management.

US Assistant Secretary of State to visit Kosovo (Klan Kosova)

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Wess Mitchell, will visit Kosovo on Monday and meet President Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj as well as other political and civil society representatives. Mitchell is expected to reaffirm close relations between Kosovo and the US and will encourage the government of Kosovo to make progress in the dialogue for normalisation of relations with Serbia, rule of law, economic growth, and to overcome regional challenges, a statement issued by the US Embassy in Pristina noted.