Headlines - 07.08.2018

• Kocijancic: Association/Community statute to be reviewed in Brussels (Zeri/Koha)
• Veseli: Statements on territory creating insecurity and fear (Zeri)
• Thaci’s unconstitutional idea for ‘border adjustment’ (Zeri)
• Pacolli: The aim is to conclude dialogue with recognition by Serbia (RTK)
• Pacolli wants Merkel to get involved in resolving ‘Balkan problems’ (Bota Sot)
• Haziri: LDK supports Kosovo’s territorial integrity (Epoka e Re)
• Serwer: US has not changed position on Kosovo (Kosova Sot)
• Trajkovic against President Thaci and Ambassador Petrich (RTK)
• Political parties in FYROM against division of Kosovo (RTK)
• Resigned minister becomes advisor to PM Haradinaj (dailies)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Kocijancic: Association/Community statute to be reviewed in Brussels (Zeri/Koha)

EU foreign policy spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, told Zeri that the draft statute for the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities will be reviewed in the upcoming meeting of Kosovo and Serbia presidents in Brussels. She said such a meeting will take place after the Management Team officially informs the EU on the outcome of its work. “We understand the work is still ongoing,” Kocijancic said. Koha Ditore meanwhile quotes Kosovo government’s coordinator for dialogue, Avni Arifi, saying that according to the agreement reached by the previous government, the draft statute of the Association/Community will first be presented to the parties in Brussels.

Veseli: Statements on territory creating insecurity and fear (Zeri)

Kosovo Assembly Speaker, Kadri Veseli, said Kosovo will not be partitioned and that this is something that will never be discussed in Brussels with Serbia. He said increased talk of territory is leading to the sense of insecurity and fear among the citizens of Kosovo. “This debate is an electoral campaign, there are many untruths, many resentments, and this is not good for us,” he said adding that no one should be afraid of dialogue. Veseli made the remarks after visiting American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo.

Thaci’s unconstitutional idea for ‘border adjustment’ (Zeri)

The paper reports on the front page that the idea presented by President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci for the so-called border adjustment is in violation to article 1 of the Constitution of Kosovo which stipulates that Kosovo “shall have no territorial claims against, and shall seek no union with, any State or part of any State.” Thaci’s Office however is aware of this and its chief of staff, Bekim Collaku, said that in case agreement with Serbia is reached on Presevo Valley joining Kosovo, the Constitution of Kosovo will naturally have to be amended. “Anyone who can read and write is aware of this. Furthermore, anyone that has basic knowledge knows that the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo will have to be changed if such a peaceful agreement is reached,” Collaku told the paper. He said the Constitution of Kosovo has so far been amended several times for what he said were issues of lesser importance and that this is the least worry in the context of dialogue with Serbia.

Pacolli: The aim is to conclude dialogue with recognition by Serbia (RTK)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Behgjet Pacolli, told the public broadcaster that the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade should conclude by February of the next year. “The intention is for Serbia to recognize Kosovo, but I do not know if I can call it an emotional recognition, but a guarantee that Serbia would not impede state-building, freedom of movement of people and goods. Also for Serbia not to impede coexistence of Kosovo with Serbia just as Kosovo coexists with other countries in the region,” Pacolli said.

Pacolli wants Merkel to get involved in resolving ‘Balkan problems’ (Bota Sot)

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, has called on the German Chancellor Angela Merkel to get involved in resolving open issues between countries in the Western Balkans. “I have always considered that apart from being a great leader, Angela Merkel is also a genius woman. Her constructiveness, fairness and power to resolve problems makes her involvement in resolving Balkan problems essential,” Pacollli wrote on Facebook.

Haziri: LDK supports Kosovo’s territorial integrity (Epoka e Re)

Deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lutfi Haziri, said in an interview with the paper that the party respects Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and “no other option”. However, he said his personal view is that the key to resolving outstanding issues with Serbia is “territorial”. He said no one wants to see the north of Kosovo being traded off to Serbia but at the same time Preshevo Valley “should become part of Kosovo.” Haziri further noted that the failure of political parties to reach consensus threatens dialogue with Serbia.

Serwer: US has not changed position on Kosovo (Kosova Sot)

The US Balkans analyst, Daniel Serwer, said speculations on the idea of Kosovo’s partition have not garnered too much attention back in the US and that he doesn’t think Washington has changed position on Kosovo. He told regional N1 TV that the possible change of Kosovo borders would open “Pandora’s Box”. He said if Kosovo and Serbia aspire to be democratic countries, he sees no reason as to why minority communities would not want to live under the existing borders.

Trajkovic against President Thaci and Ambassador Petrich (RTK)

Kosovo Serb politician, Rada Trajkovic, criticized harshly the proposal of Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci and the Austrian Ambasador Wolfgang Petrich for correction of borders. “Any kind of division or correction of borders would leave majority of Serb population in Kosovo, south from River Iber, with only one solution: exodus,” Trajkovic wrote. Trajkovic accuses the two presidents of Kosovo and Serbia “for trying to induce coordinated violence as they have weak and dangerous regimes.”

Political parties in FYROM against division of Kosovo (RTK)

Political parties in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) object the possibility of division of Kosovo, respectively change of the borders between Kosovo and Serbia. The greatest governing political party, LSDM, defends the principal of no change of the borders and good neighborly relations. “Only in this manner the region can move forward towards development and prosperity which is in interest of all citizens” responded this political party. The Albanian political party, which is also part of the governing coalition, BDI, considers that such issues should not even be discussed, as the region is in a good path of integration in Euro-Atlantic structures. “President Ahmet made several statements with regards to the imposed matter of change of the borders, saying that the region is in the right path of peace, security, stability, Euro-Atlantic integration and economic development. Therefore, such scenarios that could induce a domino-affect in the entire region, should not be part of public discourse,” was said in the statement of this political party.

Resigned minister becomes advisor to PM Haradinaj (dailies)

Albena Reshitaj, who recently resigned her post as Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, has now been appointed political advisor to Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. In a Facebook post, Haradinaj said Reshitaj’s contribution is still required and he has therefore offered her the post which she accepted.