PDK-AAK coalition in Septembe

• PDK-AAK coalition in September (Koha Ditore)
• New agreement between all parties (Express)
• US, Germany call on Belgrade to remove parallel structures (dailies)
• Rexhepi: Up to 400 Serbian police operating in Kosovo (dailies)
• Berisha: Redrawing Kosovo borders threatens peace in region (Kosova Sot)
• Lirim Grejçevci appointed ambassador to London (Koha Ditore)
• “Hemofarm” products not recalled from Kosovo markets (dailies)


Kosovo Media Highlights


PDK-AAK coalition in September (Koha Ditore)
The paper reported that the countdown has begun for the current coalition PDK and AKR, where a new government between both political parties is planned to be formed early September. Local and international sources told Koha Ditore that intense meetings will take place over the next few days to prepare for such a coalition. According to unnamed local officials, however, this is being requested by the international community.

International officials also told the paper that it is in fact Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi who is not ready to speak about the north with only AKR leader Behgjet Pacolli by his side. Sources further revealed that the AAK may be offered six ministries and the post of Assembly speaker if it agrees to join a new coalition government. AAK’s deputy leader Ahmet Isufi said such reports are only speculator but added that the current Government is in for a challenging period ahead.

New agreement between all parties (Express)
Express reported that the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj’s political party, proposed a new agreement between all parties to push forward constitutional and election reforms. The front-page story also noted that AAK’s acting leader Blerim Shala told the paper that there is no alternative to the new agreement.

Meanwhile, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) continue to believe in the implementation of the April agreement. On the other hand, Vetëvendosje’s Rexhep Selimi was hesitant about Shala’s proposal, saying that Shala should first co-ordinate with his party before making such proposals.

“Blerim Shala should first find agreement within the Alliance, and then seek an agreement with us. First of all, they don’t have a joint position within the Alliance. The AAK must first take a united position and then Shala can suggest proposals for others,” said Selimi.

US, Germany call on Belgrade to remove parallel structures (dailies)
Several dailies reported that the United States of America and Germany have called on Serbia to withdraw all police from northern Kosovo. Serbian media reported that US Deputy Secretary of State Philip Gordon conveyed this message to Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic during his visit to Belgrade.

Gordon, who also met Ivica Dacic and Aleksandar Vucic, is reported to have told Serbian leaders that the US can help Serbia but Belgrade must stop supporting illegal security and legal structures in northern Kosovo. Citing their sources, Serbian media reported that it is an open secret that Serbia has 300-400 MUP members in northern Kosovo. Meanwhile, foreign intelligence services believe there are from 1,000 to 2,000 Serbian agents in the north.

Rexhepi: Up to 400 Serbian police operating in Kosovo (dailies)
Koha Ditore reports that during his third press conference this month, Kosovo’s Interior Minister Bajram Rexhepi confirmed the failure of the state in stopping the activities of Serb security structures in Kosovo.

“I never denied that there are illegal structures in the north consisting of 300 or 400 members depending on the situation,” Rexhepi told reporters in Pristina yesterday. He confirmed reports in the Serbian media about the large number of Serbian police, whose withdrawal has been recently requested by Germany and the United States of America.

Rexhepi said Serbian MUP structures are illegal and that they will be arrested and deported whenever it is possible. “The reality is they are present, but I don’t know the exact numbers … I am not contesting this, but the numbers can be bigger. The key ones that operate are from 200 to 400 members of MUP be they Kosovars who are engaged in MUP structures or those coming from Serbia,” Rexhepi added.

Berisha: Redrawing Kosovo borders threatens peace in region (Kosova Sot)
Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha is quoted saying that any attempt to redraw the borders of the Republic of Kosovo will create tension and potential conflicts that will last for years. “I believe recognition of existing borders is crucial for peace and stability of our region,” said Berisha at a meeting on global security held in Rome.

Lirim Grejçevci appointed ambassador to London (Koha)
Sources in the Kosovo Government told the paper that Lirim Grejçevci, political advisor to Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, will be appointed Kosovo’s ambassador to London, a position currently held by Muhamet Haliti.

Grejçevci was part of Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri’s team, which held technical talks with Belgrade in Brussels. The same sources noted that Hamiti meanwhile will be deployed as ambassador to another country.

“Hemofarm” products not recalled from Kosovo markets (dailies)
The Kosovo Agency for Medical Products appealed to citizens not to be concerned by the use of drugs made by the Serbian company “Hemofarm” despite its products being labeled by the US Food and Drug Administration as contaminated with deadly bacteria.

Officials from the Agency for Medical Products only advised the citizens to be cautious when using “Hemofarm” drugs but did not decide to recall all the products from pharmacies.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• PDK-AAK coalition in September
• Rexhepi: Up to 400 Serbian police operating in Kosovo
• Drugs suspected to contain lethal virus not removed from the market
• Surroi: Killing shame at “Hamëz Jashari”

Other headlines
• Rexhepi involved in traffic accident, Albanian police cover up (2)
• Lirim Grejçevci appointed ambassador to London (3)
• Trepça miners don’t want new manager (4)
• IKD: Government is devaluating work of judiciary (6)
• EU allocates €900,000 for human rights, democracy (6)

Zëri

Front page
• LDK, AKR won’t withdraw on Jahjaga issue
• Haradinaj returns
• MLG chiefs “swallow” thousands of Euros
• Statements won’t make MUP withdraw
• Police tender against EU standards
• Xharra: Which corrupt officials are they talking about?

Other headlines
• Jahjaga begins official visit to Brussels (2)
• Krasniqi visits Islamic community of Kosovo (2)
• LDK: We will never have a coalition with PDK (4)
• Bajram Rexhepi involved in traffic accident (4)
• Llapi Group to stand trial again (4)

Kosova Sot

Front page
• Serbian drugs are lethal, still present in Kosovo
• Editorial: Health or business
• AKR, LDD heading toward dissolution

Other headlines
• Haradinaj returns to Kosovo (2)
• Krasniqi promises BIK law on religions will be amended (2)
• Jahjaga to report on corruption and crime in Brussels (4)
• Ban Ki-moon to visit Kosovo on July 24 (4)
• Berisha: Redrawing Kosovo borders threatens peace in region (4)
• Opposition calls for internal political dialogue (4)

Kosovo Press Headlines

Epoka e Re

Front page
• Huruglica: 80 percent OK
• Haradinaj returns to Kosovo
• Albert Prenkaj, Ilir Dugolli or Lulzim Peci to head Diplomatic Academy
• Election reform, hostage to Constitutional Court and the President

Other headlines
• Ban: Kosovo and Serbia to cooperate for their progress (2)
• Russia requests urgent meeting of SC on Kosovo (2)
• Serbia to withdraw police from northern Kosovo (2)
• Pacolli urges Kenya to recognize Kosovo (3)
• Tahiri asks Mongolia to recognize Kosovo (3)
• Jahjaga off to Brussels (5)
• Excavations in Zhilivoda continue (7)

Express

Front page
• New agreement between all parties
• No panic for “Hemofarm”

Other headlines
• Rexhepi: Financing parasitism (2)
• Mirena: Requiem for a dream (3)
• Religion to be included in constitutional changes? (4)
• No to a coalition with PDK (5)
• Remove parallel structures (5)
• Ramush in Kosovo (6)
• Russia calls on SC (6)
• Edita lobbies too (6)
• Llap Group to face EULEX (7)
• No stopping the police (7)

Bota Sot

Front page
• PM Hashim Thaçi’s trip to Germany “forbidden”!
• Ramush Haradinaj returns to Kosovo
• LDK rebuts media reports, will not enter coalition with PDK

Other headlines
• EU allocates €900,000 for civil society organisations (2)
• President Jahjaga visits Brussels (2)
• CDHRF reacts against EULEX search operations (2)
• DPM Pacolli asks Kenya to recognize independence of Kosovo (3)
• Krasniqi visits Kosovo Islamic Community (3)
• Ban Ki-moon in Kosovo on Tuesday (3)
• EULEX investigates fire in Zhilivoda (7)
• Serbia requested to withdraw MUP structures from the north (7)
• Thaçi government against Kosovo-Albania trade integration (9)