Ramush Haradinaj-led Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has dismissed reports that it is about to finalise agreement with ruling parties – the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). In a statement to the media, AAK said such reports are speculations but added that it is open to meet with anyone who can help in withdrawing agreement on establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the border demarcation with Montengro.

A recent report presented by the Kosovo Justice Institute (KJI) think tank found that Kosovo institutions have failed in producing concrete results in the fight against high-level corruption. According to the KJI, there is a high number of corruption cases reported with relevant authorities but to a large degree they remain unaddressed. “The failure of the state prosecutor to act on these corruption cases has led to the truth not being determined and, as a result, the people responsible unpunished,” the report stated.

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci said that the opposition representatives have made public threats against the most senior government officials. In a Facebook post, Thaci said further that the opposition’s decision not to hold protests today is because they want to buy more time “to find violent people anywhere they can because their ranks are diminishing.” He said the people of Kosovo unanimously condemn opposition’s violence as does the democratic world.

Kosovo’s Interior Minister Skender Hyseni said in a press conference today that the Kosovo Police will never be subject to political orders and that it handled yesterday’s protest in Pristina “marvelously.” Hyseni said that violence directed at the police is unacceptable and that no one will be amnestied from responsibility. He called on the opposition to discuss the issues of concern at the Assembly and not take to the streets. Koha reports that in the press conference, Minister Hyseni also admitted that the Kosovo Police has no equal approach to all of Kosovo.

In a visit to Brussels, Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa accompanied by Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci and European Integration Minister Bekim Collaku met President of European Parliament Martin Schulz and expressed appreciation of the government and the people of Kosovo for special support EP has provided to Kosovo. PM Mustafa stressed the importance of the signing of Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and the hope that the European Parliament would soon ratify the agreement.

Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli said after the meeting of the presidency that it is very important for the MPs to be able to vote tomorrow on the 2016 budget. “The budget includes economic perspective, infrastructure investment, improvement of the citizens’ lives and salaries of public sector servants,” said Veseli adding that there should be no negative images in the world coming from Kosovo. He also said that it would be “unjustifiable” if the opposition tried to block the work of the Assembly.

Kosovo offers no social or benefits scheme for children. For three years now the NGOs dealing with the protection of children's rights have asked the government to review the social scheme and to put under it also the child allowances. Donjeta Kelmendi, director of the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations for the Protection of Children,  says the coalition has repeatedly raised this issue and has recommended to the government of Kosovo to increase the budget for social schemes and the provision of allowances for children.

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci welcomed the latest European Commission Progress Report saying it acknowledges the progress Kosovo has made in the EU integration process. “The assessment of the progress achieved in the visa liberalization process is also welcomed. We now rightly expect to travel next year without visas to Europe,” Thaci wrote on Facebook. “There is no doubt we are on the right track. Our progress is being acknowledged. Nothing and no one can stop our path to EU.”

The President of the Kosovo Assembly, Kadri Veseli, met today with the European Parliament Vice President and Rapporteur for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, to discuss current developments in Kosovo and the region, dialogue and Kosovo’s challenges in the path toward European integration. Veseli said: “We are at a point where dialogue and understanding between the government and the opposition is key for moving forward with our European integration agenda.

The United States Embassy in Pristina has issued a press statement regarding the yesterday’s voting at UNESCO against Kosovo’s membership. It said that although the outcome of yesterday’s vote denying Kosovo UNESCO membership was disappointing, it is neither a statement on Kosovo’s independence, nor a reflection of its position in the world.  “In fact, the U.S. Embassy in Pristina is encouraged by the 92 yes votes, which demonstrate Kosovo’s importance on the international stage.