Deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Agim Veliu, said statements of the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, that in the future the Serbian List will be expelled from the government of Kosovo due to strengthening of Kosovo’s Army and that LDK could become part of the government as part of this scenario, a gossip.   “Vucic does not have the power to decide for LDK and the Republic of Kosovo. No, no… we do not have any connection with Vucic and we do not at all follow his prognosis and advises .

In a meeting today, the government of Kosovo discussed implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said all relevant institutions should work hard to make sure Kosovo receives EU candidate status by 2019. “We have identified key priorities for 2018,” said Haradinaj explaining that these include the European Reform Agenda and groundwork for candidate status by 2019. “Our goal is to prove that we are taking the work seriously, especially European integration,” Haradinaj noted.

The outgoing European Parliament rapportuer for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, said in Pristina that the EU would not recognise a new border demarcation agreement between Kosovo and Montenegro and called on the Kosovo Assembly to ratify the current agreement and pave way for visa lbieralisation. “I know the prime minister has appointed a new commission but the ball is now on the Kosovo Assembly’s side. You need to use this opportunity because this door can close on you. You need to act now,” Lunacek said.

Central Election Commission (CEC) expects to announce final local election results during this week, said spokesperson Valmir Elezi. He explained that the counting of conditional ballots will be concluded by Wednesday. “Once the final elections are announced, political entities and candidates can file their complaints with relevant institutions,” Elezi said.

Kosovo Assembly’s committee on public administration, local governance and media endorsed today draft law on Pristina paving way for the MPs to vote on it in one of the Assembly’s sessions. The draft law, giving Pristina additional powers and budget, received the support of all parliamentary parties represented at the committee.

The President of the Republic of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi, received today in a meeting the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, responsible for European and Eurasian Affairs, Mr. Hoyt Brian Yee.

President Thaçi and Deputy Assistant Secretary Yee discussed about the bilateral relations, the role of the USA in the region, Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic perspective, the dialogue with Serbia and other issues of common interest.

On this occasion, President Thaçi has said that the continuation of the US support for Kosovo and the region remains the key to stable peace and stability.

Independent MP at Kosovo Assembly, Korab Sejdiu, has requested today during the Assembly session the video recording from the oath of the Serb judges.

He said only a few photos were published from and the Serb judges from the north are not seen taking the oath. He requested a video where the judges can be seen pledging that they will respect Kosovo laws.

Kosovo Assembly MP from Vetevendosje Movement, Glauk Konjufca accused today during the parliamentary session Kosovo institutions for accepting to decree new Serb judges and prosecutors based on Serbia’s recommendations.

According to Konjufca, these institutions should be ashamed for allowing this to happen, claiming that he is possesses documents which prove that judges and prosecutors are nominated by Serbia’s President, Aleksandar Vucic.

Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) hailed the swearing in of judges and prosecutors from the non-majority communities saying it is a sign of the north’s integration into the Kosovo judicial system. In a statement, KJC said the move is an important step and “marks consolidation of a unified justice system throughout the territory of the country” aimed at guaranteeing the people equal access to judicial institutions and achievement of their constitutional and legal rights.

The European Union has welcomed decree of Serb judges and prosecutors. A statement issued on the EU’s official website by its Spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, reads that today's integration of judges, prosecutors and administrative staff into the Kosovo judiciary marks the implementation of the justice agreement reached in February 2015 under the EU-facilitated Dialogue.