Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, said today that discussions are underway to determine the date for the Assembly session where border demarcation agreement with Montenegro would be put to vote. However, he admitted that the coalition parties have not yet managed to secure eighty votes required for the ratification of the agreement.  “It is not an easy process. I believe we are at the final stage of preparations.

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, will travel today on a two-day visit to Japan. A statement issued by the Foreign Ministry states that Pacolli will be accompanied on this trip by the Minister of Economic Development, Valdrin Lluka, and they will meet Japan’s Minister of Economy , Trade and Industry, Hiroshige Seko, as well as Foreign Minister, Taro Kono. Kosovo ministers will seek further support from Japan as one of the main donors in Kosovo, the statement reads.

Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Behgjet Pacolli, has hailed the establishing of diplomatic relations between Kosovo and Bangladesh saying it is a step towards increasing cooperation. Pacolli said Kosovo will continue the practice of setting up diplomatic relations with all United Nations member states. His comments follow the signing of the agreement for establishing diplomatic relations between Bangladeshi Permanent Representative to United Nations, Ambassador Masud Bin Momen and Kosovo General Consul in New York, Teuta Sahatqija.

Austrian Chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, said Austria has recognised independence of Kosovo and this position will not change. Kurz said ahead of the meeting of his cabinet that Austria is a friend of Kosovo and supports Western Balkans as well as normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Kurz's statement follows that of his deputy, Heinz-Christian Strache, who said Austria should not have recognised independence of Kosovo as it was part of Serbia.

Head of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) parliamentary group, Avdullah Hoti, said the current government of Kosovo led by Ramush Haradinaj has “broken records in degradation of state institutions”. Speaking at a press conference today, Hoti said that the first 100 days of the government have been characterized by unlawful decisions and scandals. “We have seen a government with an enormous number of deputy ministers. We have a minister that is accused of torture and another of using a firearm.

Commander of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), Rrahman Rama, said at the Kosovo Assembly’s committee for internal affairs and security that the KSF is ready to transform into an armed force whenever the political decision is taken. Rama said that there is no tendency to build a force that would present a threat to someone else but, rather, a force that will serve the interests of everyone. Answering to a question from the committee members, Rama explained that 8 percent of KSF members are women and that 10.2 percent are members of minority communities.

Vetevendosje officials said in a debate on the specialist chambers and its relations with Kosovo institutions that although they consider the court to be political and aimed at “distorting” the fight for freedom led by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), the initiative for its abrogation is not right.

Kosovapress quotes Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, as saying that only Kosovo institutions have the right to give authorisations for involvement in investigations into the killing of Serb political leader, Oliver Ivanovic and that this competency does not rest with either EULEX or UNMIK. However, Haradinaj said Serbian authorities only requested exchange of information which Kosovo side will oblige.

Kosovo’s Minister of Economic Development, Valdrin Lluka, said Kosovo is currently producing enough energy to only cover half of the demand and the rest is being imported. He also did not rule out the possibility of electricity price increasing by almost 19 percent as announced previously by the Energy Regulatory Office. Meanwhile, a protest against increase of energy price has been announced for today in Pristina.

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, presented before the Assembly today the government’s programme for the next four years saying it encompasses fields such as the rule of law, economic development and employment, Euro-Atlantic integrations and sectorial development. Haradinaj said the government’s objective is to change the legal framework in the criminal code field and carry out a full review of the rule of law sector.