Serbia more flexible, insists Kosovo not be represented as state

• Serbia more flexible, insists Kosovo not be represented as state (Koha, page 2)
• The strategy for normalizing relations (Express – front page)
• Invitation to EULEX to extend beyond 2014 (dailies)
• Vetëvendosje: Jahjaga has violated the Constitution (dailies)
• Dodik: Serbia should recognize Kosovo (Epoka e Re – page two)
• Feith: The north cannot be left to internationals only (Koha – front page)
• Quint engaged for talks (Express – page four)
• Cliff: Support to also continue after the conclusion of supervision (dailies)
• Serbia in EU, after it improves relations with Kosovo (Epoka – front page)
• Speculation over Ramush (dailies)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Serbia more flexible, insists Kosovo not be represented as state (Koha Ditore)
The paper claims it has in possession the document Serbian authorities have drafted regarding Kosovo’s participation in regional initiatives which indicates that Serbia will be more flexible in Kosovo’s representation issue thus enabling easier cooperation but always by not pre-empting its status. Serbia agrees not to have the text of the footnote in the nametag of Kosovo representatives but insists on it appearing in all relevant documents of regional initiatives. It also instructs its representatives how to behave in such meetings and adds that “PISG representatives from Pristina” should not bear any symbols of the “so-called Republic of Kosovo”.

The strategy for normalizing relations (Express – front page)
Express reports on the front page that Brussels is drafting a strategy for normalizing relations between Pristina and Belgrade all the while avoiding the recognition of independence at this phase.

European officials argue that this will help Kosovo and Serbia move toward membership in the European Union. The paper quotes EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele as saying that efforts are underway to harmonize the specific agenda of talks.

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Fuele discussed on Tuesday with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic the strategy through which Brussels aims to find a solution between Kosovo and Serbia.

However, it seems that Kosovo authorities are not informed about Brussels’ plan with Belgrade. “We don’t have information what happened at the meeting yesterday and I have no idea what the strategy could involve. I honestly don’t have any idea,” Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuçi told the paper.

Invitation to EULEX to extend beyond 2014 (dailies)
The Government of Kosovo, reports Koha Ditore, considers the correspondence between President Atifete Jahjaga and EU High Representative for Security and Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton to be an international agreement but also as a possibility for the EU rule of law mission’s mandate to be extended beyond 2014 as specified in the correspondence.

The Government has sponsored the draft law for ratification of the international agreement for extension of EULEX’s mandate and has submitted it to the Assembly. The draft law, which the paper claims to have secured, contains three provisions and speaks about the delegation of authority for proposing and appointing international judges and prosecutors and the setting up of a team to form a system for registering EULEX staff allowed to carry arms. The draft law also guarantees immunity to EULEX staff and the EU Special Representative.

Zëri also reports on the draft law emphasizing that the EULEX will change its name into EULEX-Kosovo.

Vetëvendosje: Jahjaga has violated the Constitution (Koha Ditore)
Vetëvendosje movement has accused the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, that she is violating the Constitution of Kosovo with the fact that she has written the letter to Baroness Catherine Ashton, where she invites her to extend the EULEX mission for two additional years. According to the deputy Glauk Konjufca, President Jahjaga, in her letter, immediately after mentioning the conclusion of independence, invites EULEX to continue its executive competencies over the institutions of Kosovo, by denying automatically the conclusion of the supervision of the independence of Kosovo. “She invites EULEX to even after the conclusion of the supervision of independence, to continue to nominate prosecutors and judges. Jahjaga is inviting an EULEX that is neutral to the status of Kosovo. In this manner, Jahjaga has violated the Constitution. The President should be a guarantee for the constitution, not a violator,” said Konjufca.

Dodik: Serbia should recognize Kosovo (Epoka e Re)
The President of Republika Srpska in Bosnia, Milorad Dodik, has stated that Serbia should recognize the independence of Kosovo, but without the territory in the north. Dodik, one of the promoters of division or obstacles for nonfunctioning in Bosnia, said that the north of Kosovo should remain in Serbia and that the reality for the other part should be accepted. “On the other hand, it should be clear to Serbia that return of Kosovo in the political aspect would be impossible. It is not only a loss as presented in Serbia. We should gather and see this as a present. The north of Kosovo is a reality,” said Dodik.

Feith: The north cannot be left to internationals only (Koha Ditore)
In an interview for the paper ahead of his departure from Kosovo and the end of his office’s mandate, International Civilian Representative Pieter Feith said that ever since he came to Kosovo, his wish was to go back as soon as possible. He recapped on the work of the International Civilian Office over the last four years and admitted that there have been disappointments in the work too.

“It is disappointing that we were unable to make more progress in the north, no doubt, and another disappointment is that we could not improve the socio-economic situation in this country,” said Feith. However, he refused to qualify the issue of the north as a failure. “It is not a failure but part of challenges Kosovo continues to face,” Feith added.

He also said that the perception that internationals should resolve the situation in the north is wrong because this can only be done by the Government of Kosovo and the Albanian majority by reaching out the reconciliation hand to the Serb community.

Quint engaged for talks (Express)
Representatives of Quint countries are trying to unite political parties in Kosovo over dialogue with Serbia which is expected to begin in autumn, Express reports. On Wednesday, Quint representatives held a meeting with AAK deputy leader Blerim Shala and members of the AAK chairmanship. The topic of discussion was the possible involvement of the AAK in talks with Serbia. AAK confirmed the meeting, but revealed no details. AAK representatives have already expressed readiness to cooperate with other political parties on issues of state interest.

Cliff: Support to also continue after the conclusion of supervision (dailies)
The Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Pristina, Ian Cliff has expressed conviction that the conclusion of the international supervision of the independence of Kosovo presents an important phase of the development of the country, where locals authorities will take over more responsibilities on implementation of Ahtisaari’s Plan and added that the international support will continue. The British diplomat admitted that the International Civilian Office was the only international organization in Kosovo that supported the independence of Kosovo, while the other missions like EULEX and UNMIK continue to present under the umbrella of neutrality. Therefore he requested from the citizens not to be afraid and have trust at their international friends, the U.S. UK and other countries. “Friends of Kosovo that support its independence and not only the U.S. and the UK, but many other countries, will continue to work with you and support you on getting closer to the EU,” said Cliff.

Reichel: Serbia in the EU, after it improves relations with Kosovo (Epoka)
Epoka e Re runs as the leading story an interview with outgoing German Ambassador Ernst Reichel, highlighting his statement that Serbia will be able to join the European Union only after it improves relations with Kosovo. “Kosovo is an independent country today, but not in a normal situation. I don’t have to explain this. Therefore, Kosovo has much more to gain from normalization in the Western Balkans, much more than Serbia. if Serbia still wants to get closer to the European Union, it must be willing to have good neighborly relations with Kosovo,” Reichel is quoted as saying.

Speculation over Ramush (dailies)
Several dailies report that Ramush Haradinaj’s attorney denied reports in Serbian media according to which the ICTY prosecution has called for the sentencing of Haradinaj. Michael O’Reilly, coordinator of Haradinaj’s defense, said everything written in the reports is inaccurate and false.

“Reports by some Kosovar media yesterday afternoon speculated that The Hague tribunal yesterday issued a statement on Ramush Haradinaj’s case. These reports are not true and are based on the completely inaccurate and false report by Belgrade daily newspaper Blic,” O’Reilly said. He also called on Kosovar and Serbian media, which published the story, to apologize to their readers.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page
• Feith: The north cannot be left to internationals only
• Serbia more flexible, but insists Kosovo not to be represented as a state
• Vetëvendosje: Jahjaga has violated the Constitution
• Bamieh: Tolaj knew every move at the Ministry of Healthcare
• Invitation to EULEX beyond 2014

Other headlines
• Cliff: Support continues even after conclusion of supervised independence (3)
• Behxhet Pacolli, the richest official in Kosovo (6)
• Kelmendi: Improvisation and the cost (10)

Zëri

Front page
• No amnesty law this year
• EU prepares strategy for talks
• EULEX replaced with EULEX-KOSOVO
• Serb Orthodox Church, a state in itself
• Çollaku: An end for “kings”

Other headlines
• Beqiri: Thaçi is the root of evil (2)
• Reports on Haradinaj are false (2)
• Strike at Dubrava Prison continues (4)
• Balfour: Recognition of Kosovo, a political reality (4)
• Schulz does not yield, Kosovo a condition for Serbia (4)
• Vetëvendosje: The President is violating the Constitution (5)

Kosova Sot

Front page
• Tax administration invents illegal fines for interests of loans taken outside Kosovo
• Minorities want reservation for two more mandates
• Prosecutor Baimeh: Two phones were found with Tolaj in prison
• Editorial: EU conditions Serbia

Other headlines
• Ratification for EULEX ready for voting (2)
• Vetëvendosje accuses Jahjaga of breaching the Constitution (2)
• EU with strategy on Kosovo-Serbia talks (3)
• Dodik: Serbia to take the north and recognize Kosovo (3)
• Haradinaj’s defence rebuts Serb press (3)
• Kosovo may very soon gain visa liberalization (4)
• Iowa deepens cooperation with Kosovo (4)
• Assets of officials growing (4)

Epoka e Re

Front page
• Reichel: Serbia in EU after improving relations with Kosovo
• Defence dismisses reports on Haradinaj
• Ozan: Turkey, for Kosovo…
• Konjufca: President has breached the Constitution

Other headlines
• Schultz insists: Serbia should recognize Kosovo (2)
• Dacic: No one said Kosovo is condition for EU (2)
• Dodik: Serbia to recognize Kosovo (2)
• Balfour: Recognition of Kosovo, political reality (2)
• Continues with EULEX-Kosovo (3)
• Thaçi: Everything ready for successful conclusion of independence (3)
• Coordination for 28 November (6)
• US supports energy sector (9)
• PAK to decide about Grand Hotel (9)