• Haradinaj invokes right to silence in interview with Specialist Chambers (media)
• Krasniqi concludes interview with Specialist Chambers (media)
• Sources: Thaci waiting for LDK elections before stepping in (Koha)
• Analysts: Thaci intentionally delaying announcement of new elections (Zeri)
• Analysts: No dialogue without new Kosovo government (RFE)
• Deda: New government to resume dialogue with Belgrade (media)
• Haradinaj planning to call ‘unconstitutional’ meeting of government (Koha)
• Gjini: PM and ministers obliged to perform duties until new government’s election (Epoka)
• LDK’s Haziri and PSD’s Molliqaj meet but deny they discussed coalition (Zeri)
• Pacolli: Former KLA member to be released soon (Epoka)
• Kosovo Police arrest 18 persons for arms trafficking (media)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Haradinaj invokes right to silence in interview with Specialist Chambers (media)

Outgoing Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj spoke to the media outside the Specialist Chambers offices in The Hague following his interview yesterday. He said that on legal advice, he invoked the right to remain silent and not answer any questions.

“This concludes all my legal obligations towards the Court,” he said.

To the question of what he was asked about in the interview, Haradinaj said he was not informed about what case he was being interviewed and that “on legal counsel, I was advised not to enter into discussions.” He said however that it was about his role in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) but “nothing more concrete than that.”

“I will respect any legal obligation, at any given time and it is important for us to set an example of respect for the rule of law.”

Haradinaj said he would remain faithful to the law also in his political activity. “I have reiterated many times, we want a dialogue without conditions immediately, an agreement on recognition with Serbia, the market for recognition naturally, and no other formulas which are unacceptable for Kosovo.”

Asked about the future course of action, Haradinaj said the prosecution did not present him with any other request and that he didn’t expect an indictment against him. “The reason why I resigned has to do with the notion of the state and sovereignty. I did not want to come in the capacity of a head of a government. Ramush Haradinaj came here today. Since I have no more obligations, I will return like my other colleagues in politics, I will offer myself to the citizens with the options and issues of interest to us.”

He admitted that his resignation may have an impact on dialogue with Serbia. “We were forced to resign, head to elections at a time when the focus could have been better put somewhere else, we had to, so to say, reopen internal issues. Fortunately, there is stability in Kosovo, fortunately there is democracy,” he said.

Krasniqi concludes interview with Specialist Chambers (media)

Former Kosovo Assembly Speaker, Jakup Krasniqi, concluded his interview with the Specialist Chambers in The Hague.

“I have performed by legal obligation, in line with applicable laws,” Krasniqi told reporters as he was coming out of the court’s building yesterday. Bota Sot is reporting that Krasniqi opted to remain silent during his interview.

Sources: Thaci waiting for LDK elections before stepping in (Koha)

Koha Ditore quotes sources saying that President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci is not expected to take any decision on new elections until the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) concludes its own internal elections scheduled for 3 August. “He is waiting for LDK’s General Convention to take place,” the source said.

While no one from Thaci’s office responded on the paper’s question on the matter, Vjosa Osmani from the LDK said developments inside their party should not be of concern to the president. “The President should perform his constitutional duty and announce national elections as soon as possible,” Osmani said.

Analysts: Thaci intentionally delaying announcement of new elections (Zeri)

Political analysts the paper spoke to consider that President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, is intentionally delaying announcement of new elections and has made no steps to consult with political parties following the resignation of Ramush Haradinaj from the post of prime minister. Analysts say it is not yet certain whether a new government will be announced without having to head to elections, an option which they say is foreseen by the Constitution of Kosovo, or whether fresh elections will be announced. However, they think the second option is the most likely scenario considering that the chances for coalition partners to agree to a new candidate to replace Haradinaj are very thin.

The paper recalls that while all political parties said they support the idea of new elections being announced, deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Xhavit Haliti has expressed the view that early elections have never brought any good to Kosovo.  “There is nothing official but I think that we have damaged Kosovo any time we held early elections and did not solve any problem in the interest of Kosovo,” he said.

Analysts: No dialogue without new Kosovo government (RFE)

Political analysts consider that the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue will be almost impossible until a new government of Kosovo is elected.

Jeta Krasniqi from the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) said that the process of dialogue is expected to slow down and not pick up until new Kosovo institutions are formed. “The President is the one that represents Kosovo now inside and outside but when it comes to decision-making we have seen that this is a responsibility that lies primarily with the Government of Kosovo which needs to be forms in consultation with the president and under the oversight of the Assembly,” she said. Krasniqi added that for as long as these three pillars are not fully functional, there can be no meaningful continuation of dialogue.

At the same time, Perparim Kryeziu from the Kosovo-based Group for Political and Legal Studies recalled that the Constitutional Court of Kosovo has ruled that the political dialogue with Serbia should be led by the government of Kosovo which prevents President Thaci from negotiating or achieving an agreement with the Serbian side.

Deda: New government to resume dialogue with Belgrade (media)

Kosovo Assembly MP Ilir Deda told Serbian news agency Tanjug that new elections in Kosovo are quite certain as there is no possibility to create a new majority at the Assembly and all political entities have already opposed a technical government.

“Elections will end the current situation where the government did not want to take over constitutional responsibility, therefore the new government, legitimized by elections, can lead the dialogue with Serbia in full capacity, and also there will be a possibility  to create a wider consensus on the dialogue and ground for a comprehensive peace agreement,” Deda said.

Haradinaj planning to call ‘unconstitutional’ meeting of government (Koha)

Outgoing Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj is planning to call a meeting of the government this Friday despite announcing his resignation last week, KTV reported quoting sources.

Koha refers to Article 95 of the Constitution of Kosovo which deals with the election of the government and stipulates under one of the paragraphs that if the Prime Minister resigns, the Government ceases and the President of Kosovo “appoints a new candidate in consultation with the majority party or coalition that has won the majority in the Assembly to establish the Government.”

Gjini: PM and ministers obliged to perform duties until new government’s election (Epoka)

Deputy leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ardina Gjini took to Facebook to write that the Constitution foresees that Kosovo should not be even for a day or an hour without government and Prime Minister in duty.

“Regardless of the manner of the government’s fall (resignation or motion of confidence) the government is considered in resignation and it is obliged to be on duty until the new government is elected,” Gjini wrote.

He stressed that there could be attempts for different interpretations, but according to him members of the constitutional committee are aware of this matter. “This constitutional principal of the entire world is valid for Kosovo as well. Because; if the government does not make decisions for a single day, all institutions would be blocked, municipalities, courts, agencies, all of them,” Gjini wrote.

LDK’s Haziri and PSD’s Molliqaj meet but deny they discussed coalition (Zeri)

Deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lutfi Haziri was reported to have been seen yesterday in a Pristina café with Social Democratic Party (PSD) Secretary Dardan Molliqaj and while the two parties confirmed the meeting, they denied that they discussed the prospects of a coalition.

“The meeting was coincidental, and the general political situation was discussed and not a possible pre-election coalition,” said PSD spokesperson Natyra Kuqi.

Pacolli: Former KLA member to be released soon (Epoka)

Kosovo’s Principal Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Behgjet Pacolli, expects that North Macedonia will release soon former KLA member Tomor Morina, who was arrested on Wednesday based on an arrest warrant issued by Serbia.

“Serbia’s political arrest warrants against KLA freedom fighters do not make sense nor do they have legal ground and they are simply based on political reasons. We believe his release and return to his family will happen soon. Kosovo and North Macedonia are in close friendship and partnership and we will resolve this matter as partners. Tomor will be released soon,” Pacolli wrote.  

Kosovo Police arrest 18 persons for arms trafficking (media)

In a Kosovo-wide operation yesterday, the police arrested 18 persons suspected of involvement in arms trafficking. As part of the operation, the police searched 27 locations and confiscated weapons and explosive substances.