Government doesn’t want EULEX in the Constitution

• Government doesn’t want EULEX in the Constitution (Koha)
• Kocijancic: Kosovo remains a priority for the European Union (Koha)
• President Jahjaga to have a five-year mandate (Epoka e Re)
• They favor dialogue (Express)
• Kuçi is irreplaceable for Thaçi (Koha)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Government doesn’t want EULEX in the Constitution (Koha)
Koha Ditore reports on the front page that although they haven’t said it officially, senior members of the Kosovo Government have turned down the request to include EULEX in the Constitution of Kosovo. A senior government official, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the paper that at the latest meeting of the International Steering Group, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci rejected the request to give EULEX a mandate through a constitutional amendment.

“It is not in our interest for EULEX to be in the Constitution with an indefinite mandate. This would bring along several contradictions. Five EU member states don’t recognize Kosovo’s independence and a mission that derives from these countries too cannot be a part of the Constitution,” the government official told the paper.

The source said ISG member states and European officials eventually agreed for EULEX to continue its work based on an invitation from Kosovo institutions. “The plan is for the President to write to Baroness Ashton. The letter would be accepted and signed by Baroness Ashton and signed by the President too. The letter will announce a mandate for EULEX which will be the end of June 2014,” he added.

Kocijancic: Kosovo remains a priority for the European Union (Koha)
European Union officials in Brussels said on Wednesday that Kosovo continues to remain a priority for the EU and that it has a clear European perspective as does the whole Western Balkans, Koha Ditore reports. Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, made these remarks when asked if the ISG has decided to end the supervisory phase of Kosovo’s independence.

“The rule of law is a priority for Kosovo. We have a mission there whose mandate has been extended and it has a clear mandate, it is supported by 27 member states of the European Union. The mission will work based on the laws of respective countries,” Kocijancic said.

President Jahjaga to have a five-year mandate (Epoka e Re)
A source in the Constitutional Court of Kosovo told the paper that the Court will rule that President Atifete Jahjaga will have a five-year mandate. The Court is expected to announce its ruling next week. “Jahjaga has a full five-year mandate. She can exercise the post of president until 2016. The Constitutional Court is expected to announce the ruling on this matter early next week, more specifically on Monday,” the source said.

They favor dialogue (Express)
Express reports that the conclusion from a meeting on Wednesday in Belgrade between US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker and Serbia’s chief negotiator Borislav Stefanovic is for Pristina and Belgrade to resume talks and to implement agreements reached during the negotiations.

“We have agreed that it is possible for dialogue to be raised at the political level, which implies a higher level of negotiators with the aim of resolving difficult issues and the easier implementation of agreements reached with Pristina,” Reeker was quoted as saying after the meeting.

Kuçi is irreplaceable for Thaçi (Koha)
A senior member of the Kosovo Government, who also holds a senior post in the Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK), confirmed that Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi is keeping the positions of Hajredin Kuçi, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, in order to return him to work after the annulment of the anti-media articles of the Penal Code of Kosovo. The paper notes that Kuçi has not ruled out his return.

“There were efforts to discuss the appointment of a new Minister of Justice, but the topic was not discussed further because positions that were held by Hajredin Kuçi are being kept for him,” the government official said.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• Government doesn’t want EULEX in the Constitution
• Kuçi irreplaceable for Thaçi
• Oil that enters Kosovo causes cancer

Other headlines
• West didn’t want Tadic because of Kosovo (2)
• Dacic promises Reeker resumption of talks with Kosovo (2)
• Kocijancic: Kosovo remains a priority for the EU (3)
• Koha.net a survey on preferred resignations (3)

Zëri

Front page
• Trade agreement fails
• Shala violated Thaçi’s decision on minister’s pay
• New chapter for Kosovo
• Shefkiu: Messages from the northern friend
• Gashi: Privatization in Kosovo according to Havel’s model

Other headlines
• Thaçi: Dacic, like a little Slobo (2)
• North should be part of dialogue (2)
• Kocijancic: Kosovo remains a priority for the EU (4)
• EP calls for commitment from EULEX (4)
• Supporting the legal system (5)

Kosova Sot

Front page
• Cement tax could remain in force until 2013
• Beqiri’s arrest, a mafia scenario
• €60,000 for visas
• Editorial: Luxury with taxpayers’ money
• Extended investigations into theft of gold

Other headlines
• Ethical Office failed in the Wasserstrom case (2)
• A new chapter begins (2)
• Assembly is OK with the budget (3)
• Thaçi ready to meet Nikolic and Dacic (4)
• Kosovo remains a priority for the EU (5)

Epoka e Re

Front page
• Stamped, Jahjaga has a five year mandate
• Thaçi ready to meet Belgrade leaders
• Gashi: They do not have the courage
• Kocijancic: Kosovo remains a priority for the EU

Other headlines
• Stefanovic: They want to take from us Valac and Gazivodë (2)
• Dacic: We will continue discussions with Kosovo (2)
• Hoxhaj congratulates Secretary Clinton (2)
• More work requested from municipality mayors (3)
• The West turned its back to Tadic because of Kosovo (3)
• Seven candidates for UP rector (7)
• SharrCem imports ready made cement (8)
• EU Office distributed 46 grants for businesses (9)
• Beqaj ready for a motion (10)

Express

Front page
• FBI is here
• They are for dialogue
• Favors with licenses

Other headlines
• Shkullaku: Violence does not suit Vetëvendosje (2)
• Rada concerned about Metohija (2)
• Kosovo, a priority for Brussels (5)
• They meet in September? (5)
• A Committee for visas (6)
• Congratulate America (6)
• Municipalities, a chaos (7)
• Object the draft law (9)

Express

Front page
• President’s National Council for “hiding” the corruption
• “Thank you America” says Kosovo
• Government “strengthens muscles” with laws, Assembly only does the “amen”
• European Parliament requests more determination from EULEX

Other headlines
• Americans celebrate the day of independence (2)
• The Polish Wlosowicz might become EULEX chief (3)
• UN: The Wasserstrom case regarding UNMIK, actualized (5)
• What will be the legal base for extension of EULEX mandate (5)
• Kocijancic: Kosovo remains EU’s priority (6)
• President Jahjaga met with the Ambassador of Estonia for Kosovo (7)
• KFOR reaches agreement with Serb illegal structures (8)