Headlines - 15.03.2018

• Coalition parties in search for last vote to pass demarcation (Koha/Zeri)
• Hoxhaj: Demarcation session to take place on Friday (Koha)
• Pacolli on border demarcation: Not everything is going to plan (Klan Kosova)
• Isufi: Donika Kadaj-Bujupi will vote for demarcation (Klan Kosova, RTK)
• 12 former Vetevendosje MPs create a new parliamentary group (Epoka)
• Haxhiu requests Derguti’s resignation from leadership member (RTK)
• Haradinaj to face another motion at the Assembly today (Lajmi)
• Petkovic: Kosovo government operating under conditions (Lajmi/RTV Dukagjini)
• US tells Serbia: Kosovo has the right to an army (media)
• Macron meets Thaci, confirms support for Kosovo (Zeri)
• Croatia supports Kosovo’s efforts to join international organisations (media)
• Kosovo leaders hail adoption of Albanian language law in FYROM (media)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Coalition parties in search for last vote to pass demarcation (Koha/Zeri)

Coalition parties are in search of one final vote to be able to ratify the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, both Koha Ditore and Zeri report on the front page. The number of yes votes increased by one yesterday after the former Vetevendosje MP, Donika Kadaj-Bujupi, decided to join the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, the party which she initially left for Vetevendosje. And while the Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli said he hoped the last votes would be found among the newly-created parliamentary group of former Vetevendosje members, its leader Dardan Sejdiu said the twelve MPs would not be changing the view on demarcation. “We have opposed this demarcation for three years. The document presented is unfortunately even more problematic as on one hand it seeks to approve a law and on the other there are annexes that say the law has problems,” Sejdiu said.

Hoxhaj: Demarcation session to take place on Friday (Koha)

In an interview to KTV, Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Enver Hoxhaj, said he expects the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro to be put to vote on Friday. He said the government of Kosovo is convinced the issue will be closed before the weekend. “We have had lengthy discussions in the last days with different partners, including Serb MPs,” Hoxhaj said. He dispelled reports that the Serbian List has made conditions for its vote in the Assembly. “There is absolutely no condition. There are no requests for creation of a new municipality in Prilluzha,” Hoxhaj said. He said however that although not directly, the Serbian List did mention “clarification” regarding the Trepca mining complex. “There is expectation on their part for the government of Kosovo to seriously address the Trepca issue in the coming days and weeks,” Hoxhaj said.

Pacolli on border demarcation: Not everything is going to plan (Klan Kosova)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli said that not everything is going to plan regarding the ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. “I very much hoped the session would take place yesterday [Tuesday] but it did not. I hope and wish to believe that any moment is good for adopting this important document for the citizens of Kosovo,” Pacolli said.

Isufi: Donika Kadaj-Bujupi will vote for demarcation (Klan Kosova, RTK)

Ahmet Isufi, caucus of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said that only one more vote is required for the ratification of the Agreement for demarcation of the border with Montenegro. He did not comment return of the Kosovo Assembly Donika Kadaj Bujupi to AAK, however he said that “Donika Kadaj-Bujupi’s vote for demarcation is certain. She is aware of the position of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo.”

12 former Vetevendosje MPs create a new parliamentary group  (Epoka)

Vetevendosje Movement from now on has only 19 MPs at the Assembly of Kosovo. From the 13 MPs who resigned from this political party, 12 of them created a new parliamentary group, called Group of Independent MPs, while Donika Kadaj Bujupi, returned to the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK). Administration of the Assembly of Kosovo received on Wednesday Dardan Sejdiu’s request for creation of the new group. The request also notes that Dardan Sejdiu will be the caucus of this Group.

Haxhiu requests Derguti’s resignation from leadership member (RTK)

Vetevendosje Movement MP, Albulena Haxhiu, said that her political party will request from MP Aida Derguti, to resign from the position of deputy leader and member of the leadership. She added that if Derguti does not resign, they will request from the Assembly to dismiss her, because that position belongs to someone from Vetevendosje and from today, she is not part of it any more. Haxhiu said that if Derguti had political moral, she would resign herself.

Haradinaj to face another motion at the Assembly today (Lajmi)

The Assembly of Kosovo, will hold today another plenary session, which among other matters, foresees a motion of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj. The motion was requested by the Vetevendosje Movement parliamentary group and concerns death of Vetevendosje’s activist, Astrit Dehari.

Petkovic: Kosovo government operating under conditions (Lajmi/RTV Dukagjini)

Former Kosovo government Minister from Serb community, Slavisa Petkovic, told RTV Dukagjini that the Serbian List’s vote for the ratification of the agreement for demarcation of the border with Montenegro, would be considered in Serbia as recognition of Kosovo state.   He added that recent news that Serbian List requested three members of Serb community at Trepca board, show that we are dealing with a government which works based on conditions. “If this is true, than we have a problem with the government. If this is true, anyone can condition it. It is not normal to have a government which works based on conditions. Tomorrow, or a day after, we will vote the budget, what are we going to do?” Petkovic asked.

US tells Serbia: Kosovo has the right to an army (media)

The statement of the US Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Wess Mitchell, during his visit to Belgrade that Kosovo has a right to form its armed forces has received extensive coverage in Kosovo media. Mitchell said Kosovo is entitled to “form a professional force that would deal with security and include Kosovo Serbs and no one has the right to block Kosovo towards establishing such a structure.” Mitchell made the comments at a joint press briefing with Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic.

Macron meets Thaci, confirms support for Kosovo (Zeri)

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, hosted on Wednesday a meeting with the President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci. They discussed deepening of the relations between France and Kosovo as well as trade exchange. Thaci expressed appreciation to Macron for the support of France on liberation, independence, process of state building and strengthening of international position. “France is a strategic ally of Kosovo. President Macron’s vision for Europe and Western Balkans states, is a guarantee for our EU and NATO integration,” Thaci stressed. “Today at Elysee Palace, I had the pleasure of meeting the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, with whom we had friendly discussion. President Macron, with his vision and dynamics, gives hope to Europe, including the countries that aspire to integrate in EU. “On this occasion, I invited President Macron to visit Kosovo. I thank President Macron for accepting and confirming visit to Kosovo. France was and will be strong supporter of Kosovo,” Thaci wrote on his Facebook profile.

Croatia supports Kosovo’s efforts to join international organisations (media)

In a visit to Kosovo yesterday, Croatian Foreign Minister, Marija Pejcinovic Buric, said her country would continue to support Kosovo in its efforts to join all international mechanisms and that Kosovo and Serbia need to reach a legally-binding agreement on normalization of relations. Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacollli said after meeting Pejcinovic Buric that Kosovo is open to investment from Croatia. Pejcinovic Buric also met Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. On this occasion, Haradinaj said the friendship between the people of Kosovo and Croatia will continue and that Croatia’s membership in NATO and EU should be used as a model by Kosovo.

Kosovo leaders hail adoption of Albanian language law in FYROM (media)

President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, has hailed the endorsement of the Law on the use of Albanian Language by the parliament in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) saying it is an important step towards the country’s Euro-Atlantic perspective.  He said the approval of the law represents a gesture of good will for co-existence and shows respect for the country’s diversity. “The approval of the Law on Languages in Macedonia whereby Albanian language will be used in the highest state institutions is good news not only for the Albanian community there but for the whole region,” Thaci said in a statement. Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj also hailed the recent developments in Skopje saying the new law furthers relations between the communities and encouraged democratic development.  The President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli, congratulated Albanians in FYROM for endorsement of the Law on the use of Albanian language. He said that this is a step toward fulfillment of an essential and legitimate right. “I thank my colleagues from the Parliament of Macedonia for endorsement of the language Law, which will contribute to the improvement of the inter-ethnic relations not only in this country, but in the entire region,” wrote Veseli, adding that this is a significant step toward fulfillment of the Ohrid Agreement.