• LDK includes PM post in table of talks (Koha/Zeri)
• VV, LDK working groups to hold fifth meeting today (media)
• LDK’s Hoti hopes new government will be formed in November (media)
• Godfrey: Agreement to be based on mutual recognition (RTK)
• Thaci: EU leaders should not make mistakes of the 1990s (Epoka)
• Pacolli: We cannot talk about independence, constitution or borders (media)
• Berisha: Belgrade making pressure on KSF Serb members (media)

LDK includes PM post in table of talks (Koha/Zeri)

Koha Ditore reports on its front page on “the challenges of reaching a coalition agreement” between the Vetevendosje Movement (VV) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). The paper notes that public remarks by some senior LDK officials are challenging a quick agreement between the two parties. Former LDK parliamentary group chief, Avdullah Hoti, said on Sunday that the Sovereign Fund and energy policies, promises made by the Vetevendosje Movement during the election campaign, are issues that are still being discussed in the working groups. Meanwhile, LDK deputy leader Lutfi Haziri said that reaching an agreement will not be easy and that the Prime Minister’s post is also part of the talks. Asked to comment on the ongoing negotiations, political commentator Behlul Beqaj told the paper that a co-governance between the two parties remains the biggest reason to form a new government and that if an agreement is not reached because of the LDK, the latter will not go into opposition “but towards it dawn”.

Under the leading front-page headline Division or attempt by LDK to strengthen its position, Zeri reports that while they are trying to harmonise their programs, the two parties have also started criticising one another. “It was LDK deputy leader Lutfi Haziri who started the ‘fight’ by saying that the name of the new Prime Minister will definitely have to go through the LDK,” the paper notes. Vetevendosje senior official Albulena Haxhiu said “it is already clear that the name of the Prime Minister was determined on October 6”. Vetevendosje deputy leader Besnik Bislimi said Haziri does not have a role in the ongoing negotiations between the two working groups. “He can say whatever he wants, but he doesn’t have an important role,” he said. The paper also quotes political commentators as saying that with such statements, the LDK is trying to “show some muscle” to the Vetevendosje Movement before an agreement is reached.

VV, LDK working groups to hold fifth meeting today (media)

Several news outlets report that working groups of the Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) will hold their fifth meeting today in efforts to harmonise programs for an eventual new coalition government. After their fourth meeting, representatives of both parties said they agreed to a large extent on the areas of security and the rule of law. Today’s meeting will be held at LDK headquarters.

LDK’s Hoti hopes new government will be formed in November (media)

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) senior official, Avdullah Hoti, said in an interview with Kosovapress that LDK and Vetevendosje Movement have yet to reach a full agreement on the economic program of an eventual joint government.

Hoti said the two parties have not agreed on Vetevendosje’s promises during the election campaign for the Sovereign Fund and energy policies. Hoti said they have however agreed on employment policies, free competition, projects of infrastructure and environmental issues. He also said they have agreed on the structure of the new government. Hoti said the two parties have not discussed a formula for the division of ministerial posts as this is up to the leaders of the two parties.

Hoti also said he hopes the new government will be formed this month.

Godfrey: Agreement to be based on mutual recognition (RTK)

Newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Anthony Godfrey said on Sunday that he does not plan to lecture Serbian leaders, but that he hopes on an open dialogue. He said Kosovo’s position on Kosovo has not changed and that the U.S. would want to see an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo that “under ideal circumstances’ is based on mutual recognition. “I do not plan to influence Serbian leaders, by lecturing them I hope on an open dialogue and when I have to say difficult things, I will tell them directly, in private conversations, as much as it is possible, because the diplomatic work is more efficient in that manner,” he said.

Speaking about the recently nominated U.S. envoys Matthew Palmer and Richard Grellen, he said they both seek resumption of the dialogue, hoping to help Pristina and Belgrade come up with a solution, from which both parties would gain.

Asked if the idea of correction of the borders was on the Washington table, Godfrey said it was important to have essential discussions and address all possible obstacles in order to reach a sustainable solution that would contribute to stability and prosperity of the region. According to him, “tariffs, campaign for withdrawal of recognition, all are important challenges.”

Thaci: EU leaders should not make mistakes of the 1990s (Epoka)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci spoke through a video message about the recent meeting of Western Balkans leaders with EU High Representative Frederica Mogherini. “Last week we had a working dinner with Ms. Mogherini in Brussels. All Western Balkans leaders spoke about their working experiences, challenges and facing of the European future of our countries. There was a joint conclusion and a massive expressed disappointment of Western Balkans leaders for the lack of concrete engagement of the European Union for the countries of our region,” Thaci said.

He further stressed that this disappointment is also reflected in Kosovo, especially with lack of visa liberalization, despite of fulfilment of all criteria. According to him, this is happening due to the disunity of the EU.

“However, we have only one future: the European one. Therefore, the EU and its leaders, at this time of lack of their vision, should prove that they will not make the mistakes of the EU leaders of the beginning of nineties, at the beginning of the Yugoslav crisis. Because, there are always dangerous potentials for peace, security and stability in Western Balkans,” Thaci said, expressing further hope that Eu will start changing positively towards Kosovo and Western Balkans.

Pacolli: We cannot talk about independence, constitution or borders (media)

Kosovo’s outgoing Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, said in an interview to Bosniak TV station Face that Kosovo and Serbia can talk about many issues, but not about Kosovo’s independence, its constitution or borders. Pacolli said he has a clear message for Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. “You have one chance – to recognise Kosovo. This is the reality. Kosovo was born and there is no going back. This is the only solution and everything else will run smoothly,” he was quoted as saying. Pacolli also opined that border correction between Kosovo and Serbia through a territorial exchange is an impossible and very dangerous option. He also suggested a free economic zone that would include southern Serbia, the northern part of Kosovo and Sandzak.

Berisha: Belgrade making pressure on KSF Serb members (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Security Force Rrustem Berisha said there is ongoing pressure from Belgrade on Serb members of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) to leave and that some of them could not resist the pressure and left the force. According to Berisha, there are various means of pressure on Serbs, including throwing hand grenades at their yards. “They were stopped at the border and other actions, especially in the north, hand grenades were thrown at the yards of two members’ families,” Berisha said. He expressed appreciation to the Serb members that resisted the pressure and stayed in the force. He said currently there are 54 members from Serb community in the KSF and added that they are in the phase of new recruitment. Berisha also said that since January 1 this year, 18 Serbs have left the KSF.