Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, expressed deep disappointment over the reinstatement of a barricade on Mitrovica bridge. “As Prime Minister of the country, I yesterday welcomed the voluntary removal of the barricade by citizens of the Serb community in the hope that it was a sign of civic maturity. Unfortunately, only hours later, the citizens of Kosovo and I were disappointed again with the shameful act of reinstating the barricade on the River Iber bridge. This shameful and dangerous game, and above all illegal, is unacceptable for the values of our society and democratic country.

On June 8th, voters in Kosovo went to the polls. It was the third general election in the world’s 2nd youngest nation, and incumbent Prime Minister Hashim Thaci’s Democratic Party of Kosovo won a narrow victory over its rival, the Democratic League of Kosovo. Negotiations over a governing coalition are ongoing, but Thaci is widely anticipated to serve a third term as Prime Minister. Thaci is hoping to turn the corner from survivalist politics – fighting for Kosovo’s very existence – to nation building.

Outgoing Prime Minister Hashim Thaci met on Wednesday with Behxhet Pacolli, leader of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), in a restaurant in Pristina. Pacolli was accompanied by his deputy, Mimoza Kusari-Lila. Thaci told reporters after the meeting that “this was a meeting between friends”, while Pacolli called it an ordinary meeting but left open the possibility of a coalition with Thaci’s Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) if the AKR manages to pass the election threshold.

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci issued a statement to the press hailing the removal of the barricade on River Iber/Ibar voluntarily by citizens of the Serb community living in the Mitrovica North municipality. “This reasonable and anticipated act from the citizens living there clearly shows the maturity and readiness to live in peace, free and without barricades. The removal of the last barricade is another evidence of successful implementation of April 19 Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia as part of normalization of relations between two independent states.

The Chairman of the National Council of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), Jakup Krasniqi, has responded to Hashim Thaci’s interview, in which he said he would be the next Prime Minister of Kosovo. Krasniqi, through a telephone conversation with Zeri, said that Thaci does not have necessary numbers to form a government, and that no one wants to govern with him.

Outgoing Prime Minister of Kosovo and leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Hashim Thaci said in an interview for Radio Free Europe that he will form the new government. He said his party’s victory in recent elections represents the will of the people and no one can overlook this fact. “I will manage the whole process as mandated by the President, in accordance with the Kosovo constitution and laws”, stressed Thaci.

On the front page, the paper writes that a very uncertain situation is being created regarding the forming of new institutions following the 8 June elections, with none of the political parties knowing how the process is going to end. This is the reason, adds the paper, behind the increased activity of western ambassadors in Pristina, who are interested to learn from Kosovo leaders how they think the new institutions will be formed.

Outgoing Prime Minister Hashim Thaci had meetings today with US Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, UK Ambassador Ian Cliff, and German Ambassador Peter Blomeyer. The removal of the barricade on the River Iber/Ibar was the main topic of discussion in these meetings.

In an interview for Radio Free Europe, outgoing Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said he will be the designate to form the new government because he represents the party that won the 8 June parliamentary elections. Thaci said after the certification of election results he would commence consultations with political parties that could join the new government. He ruled out the possibility of a government formed and led by the opposition. Mr. Thaci, your party won the 8 June elections. Meanwhile, three other parties have reached an agreement and are now trying to form the government.

The paper reports on the front page that Brussels expects Pristina to show the same commitment to dialogue with Belgrade, regardless of who will lead the next government in Pristina. Talks with Belgrade have become a topic in discussions for the formation of the new government. One of the conditions of the Vetevendosje Movement for the eventual Haradinaj government is to suspend negotiations with Belgrade. Analysts too agree that the time has come to set some basic principles and not talk with Belgrade without securing an equal position on inter-state matters.