Following his address to the members of the Kosovo Security Force yesterday, President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci’s office was asked to comment on why he did not address Kosovo MPs as required by the Constitution of Kosovo. The answer stressed that Thaci is waiting for the Kosovo Assembly presidency to set the date for such an annual event and that the President is under no circumstance ignoring constitutional duty towards the Kosovo Assembly.

The announcement of the government that demarcation of the border with Montenegro might end up at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, has not shaken the position of the European Commission. Officials of the EU institutions who assesses fulfillment of the criteria for visa liberalization, mentioned the two remaining criteria as inseparable.

• LAA’s initiative does not “heal” political stalemate (Koha)
• Hoxhaj: Ideas to change the borders, dangerous (Zeri)
• PAN to participate in consultations but not at the session (Zeri)
• EU requests constitution of the Assembly (RTK, Epoka)
• Konjufca: LDK rejected Kurti’s invitation for coalition (Radio Dukagjini)
• Revitalisation of Mitrovica bridge, uncompleted (Klan Kosova)
• Pacolli: PAN is violating the Constitution (Klan Kosova)

In an opinion piece originally published in Podgorica-based paper Vijesti, Koha Ditore’s editor-in-chief Agron Bajrami writes that the idea of the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to open an internal debate on Kosovo has been seen by some as a sure sign that Serbia has moved a step closer to recognising independence of Kosovo while others see it as yet another media stunt aimed at scoring positive points with the EU.

It is certainly good that President of Serbia talks about facing reality, but Vucic and his associates would have to do much more to convince people they are honest when they talk about some historic reconciliation with Kosovo and Albanians, stated Agron Bajrami, Editor-in-Chief of Koha Ditore to Danas daily.

According to Bajrami, there were many who spoke before Vucic that Serbia must face Kosovo reality, there are Serbs who say it would be the best for all, if Serbia recognizes the independence of Kosovo and try to build some new relations with the both, Kosovo and Serbia.

Rasim Selmanaj, mayor of Decan and member of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has announced he will soon resign from his current post as take on an MP seat in the new composition of the Kosovo Assembly. “I will hand in my resignation by Friday”, Selmanaj said adding that his post will be exercised by his deputy, Sami Cacaj, until local elections take place in October.

The NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations, H.E. John MANZA visited KFOR Headquarters today.

The Committee for Foreign Affairs, met today with Zahir Tanin, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General. After the meeting which lasted more than two hours, Tanin said to the media that UNMIK is a decision of the Security Council and that this is the reason why they are here. He also said that they will be in Kosovo as long as the Security Council wants them to be.

Kosovo Assembly MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), considers the fact that the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci discussed transformation of KSF with the Serbian PM Aleksandar Vucic, and not with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, unacceptable and hurting.

He said that this is a mistake made by the President, and added that except for the PM Mustafa, he should have also consulted numerous experts of military matters.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg conveyed a few moments ago serious concerns of NATO Allies about proposed transformation of Kosovo Security Force into an armed force.