Headlines - 15.10.2018

• Thaci and Vucic expected to meet on November 11 in Paris (Danas, RTK)
• Ambassador Citaku reacts to Serbian media propaganda (Facebook, RTK)
• Pacolli: Serbia is spreading fake news (Facebook, RTK)
• LDK seeks allies in ruling coalition to bring down government (Kosova Sot)
• Hoxha: We are requesting visa decision be taken this year (Zeri/EO)
• Over 120 draft laws await approval by “lazy” MPs (Koha)
• Assembly presidency to decide date for KSF transformation bill debate (Zeri)
• Ramadani: Kosovo has U.S. support on KSF transitioning process (RTK)
• Pacolli: Special ceremony for reopening of Mitrovica bridge (Zeri/Klan)
• U.S. counterterrorism official to visit Kosovo (RTK)

Thaci and Vucic expected to meet on November 11 in Paris (Danas, RTK)

Kosovo and Serbia Presidents, Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vucic, are expected to meet in Paris on November 11. Belgrade-based Danas daily newspaper reports that Vucic has accepted the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron to follow an event in France for the occasion of the Day of First Armistice in World War I. It is reported that an invitation has also been sent to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci.

Ambassador Citaku reacts to Serbian media propaganda  (Facebook, RTK)

Kosovo Ambassador to the U.S. Vlora Citaku, took to Facebook to react to the reporting of the Serbian daily Kurir for alleged plans for a terror attack against Serbs and the creation of a secret army. “Propaganda sponsored by Belgrade never seizes to impress us with their imagination. Kosovo is the most pro-U.S. and EU country in the region, active member of the coalition against ISIS. No sponsored propaganda will change our vision and engagement,” Citaku wrote.

Pacolli: Serbia is spreading fake news (Facebook, RTK)

Kosovo’s Principal Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Behgjet Pacolli, wrote on his Facebook account that Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic and Minister for Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic are zealously using fake news of the Serbian media. He is surprised that a part of these media and false news are taken as a source in the region and even in Kosovo. Pacolli’s remarks came as a response to an article by Serbian daily Kurir according to which there are plans for a terror attack on Serbs in Kosovo.

LDK seeks allies in ruling coalition to bring down government (Kosova Sot)

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP, Ismet Beqiri, said on Sunday that this his party expects MPs from the ruling coalition, that are not satisfied with the work of the current government, to support the opposition’s motion of confidence against the government, the paper reports on page two. “The LDK has collected the required signatures. Vetevendosje and the Social Democratic Party have expressed their readiness too. Now we will prepare the text of the motion and we are in touch with all those within the ruling coalition that are not satisfied with the government’s work to join our motion and bring down the government,” Beqiri said.

Hoxha: We are requesting visa decision be taken this year (Zeri/EO)

Kosovo’s Minister of European Integration Dhurata Hoxha said they are continuously asking relevant EU stakeholders to decide on visa liberalisation for Kosovo this year during the Austrian presidency of the EU. In an interview for Ekonomia Online news website, Hoxha said the reservations from certain countries are not related to Kosovo at all but to their internal issues and noted that Kosovo has done its homework and everything now rests with the EU member states.

Over 120 draft laws await approval by “lazy” MPs (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that the Kosovo Assembly will try to return to its regular sessions this week with an overloaded agenda. The MPs have adopted only 46 out of 170 draft laws that have been foreseen. This week, the Assembly will try to unlock the decision-making process with the only issue that has united the political parties – the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force into the Kosovo Army. The ruling coalition and opposition parties, except for the Serbian List, have supported the three draft laws sponsored by the government and which will be discussed at the Assembly Presidency today.

Assembly presidency to decide date for KSF transformation bill debate (Zeri)

Kosovo Assembly presidency is expected to hold a meeting today and decide on the date when three draft laws relating to the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) will be discussed. Head of the Assembly’s committee on oversight of KSF, Haxhi Shala, said the three bills will to be put to vote in a regular session of the Assembly and that he expects the whole process to conclude by the end of next month.

Ramadani: Kosovo has U.S. support on KSF transitioning process (RTK)

Burim Ramadani, Deputy Minister of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), told The Voice of America that the KSF has the support of the United States of America both in terms of structure and training. He said the Kosovo Assembly has achieved the required consensus to adopt the draft laws on the transitioning of the KSF and that they will be voted within the last weeks of this year, followed then by the final procedures of KSF’s transformation. Commenting on the resignations of Serbs members of the KSF, Ramadani said pressure from Belgrade on the Serb members to withdraw is concerning.

Pacolli: Special ceremony for reopening of Mitrovica bridge (Zeri/Klan)

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister and leader of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) Behgjet Pacolli met Mitrovica Mayor Agim Bahtiri and discussed the reopening of the main River Iber/Ibar bridge. Pacolli said a special ceremony will be organised for the reopening of the bridge that will also involve performance from a famous signer. Pacolli did not reveal the name of the female singer but said they will propose the Mitrovica bridge be named after her. Meanwhile, Klan Kosova quotes sources from the Foreign Ministry saying that while there is still nothing concrete, Shakira has been mentioned as a possible performer in Mitrovica.

U.S. counterterrorism official to visit Kosovo (RTK)

Ambassador Nathan A. Sales, the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, will be in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Kosovo October 14-20. According to the U.S. State Department, he will engage in bilateral discussions with his counterparts on counterterrorism cooperation, combatting terrorist travel, the prosecution of terrorists, and border security.