Main Stories 27 December 2011

  • Tahiri: Dialogue for freedom of movement will continue (Koha Ditore)
  • Ilir Deda denies to have proposed the model of two Germanys (Koha Ditore)
  • Barricades continue to block main roads in the north (Koha Ditore)
  • Sejdiu sees “the new LDK” of Isa Mustafa as dangerous (Koha Ditore)
  • Implementation very expensive (Express)

Kosovo Media Highlights

Tahiri: Dialogue for freedom of movement will continue (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that Deputy Prime Minister Edita Tahiri expressed on Monday satisfaction and assessed the start of the implementation of the agreement between Serbia and Kosovo facilitated by the European Unionon freedom of movement as positive. In regards to the high tariffs Tahiri said that these issues will be discussed with Belgrade. She said that the dialogue has two phases, the phase of the allowance of the free movement and the phase of facilitation of the freedom of movement.

Ilir Deda denies to have proposed the model of two Germanys (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditorereports that the advisor to the Kosovo President, Ilir Deda, refuted media reports that he proposed the model of two Germanys in order to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Through a letter sent to the media, Deda said that during the interview given to Dnevnik, later picked up by Kosovo media, he never proposed the model of two Germanys and that he only explained that “it is exactly this model – and due to the lack of courage in Belgrade to accept Kosovo’s independence – that the option is being presented as a model for normalization of the relations between the two states.”

Barricades continue to block main roads in the north (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that according to the Kosovo Police, the security situation in the north of Kosovo and restrictions on movement are unsustainable. Tensions are high and movement is limited due to the barricades set by Serbs on the streets that lead to southern Mitrovica and other municipalities in the north.

Kosovo Police Spokesperson for Mitrovica region, Besim Hoti, said that except for the removal of the barricade in Jagnjenice by KFOR, the other barricades remain. “The other barricades continue to be present in the field, especially those that block main roads that link with the motorway in the direction of the north of Kosovo, and the main bridge over the River Ibër,” he said. He added that groups of Serbs suspected ofcooperating with illegal Serbian structures are remaining close to them.

Sejdiu sees “the new LDK” of Isa Mustafa dangerous (Koha Ditore)

Koha Ditore reports that the former President of Kosovo and head of LDK, Fatmir Sejdiu, fears that the party despite 22 years of tradition may be damaged by one part of the current leadership, which is leaving behind many people who have worked with LDK in difficult times. He is convinced that the construction of “thenew LDK” supported by the principle of selection and not the approach of its members will result inconsequences. According to him, the party should decide on its position: if it is opposition or not. For him, the LDK under the leadership of Mustafa has proven only instable in taking decisions and in making public statements.

Implementation very expensive (Express)

Express reports that Kosovo and Serbia have started implementing the agreement for free movement at some border crossing points. Facilitator Robert Cooper expressed that he was happy with the achievement, but he also requested the removal of the remaining barricades in the north. In contrast, citizens in Northern Kosovo are unhappy with the agreement entering into effect as it is, specifically the very expensive insurance policies.

Kosovo Press Headlines

Koha Ditore

Front page

  • Statehood denied at the border with Serbia
  • Tahiri: Dialogue for the freedom of movement will continue
  • Serjdiu considers the new LDK of Isa Mustafa dangerous

Other headlines

  • Barricades continue to block the main roads in the north (2)
  • Ilir Deda denies to have proposed the model of two Germanys (5)
  • Portuguese troops will continue to serve in KFOR (5)
  • Referendum against Kosovo to be discussed in northern Mitrovica on Wednesday (5)
  • Dacic wants a sustainable solution for Kosovo (5)

Zëri

Front page

  • Jahjaga the most paid, Thaçi the 13th
  • The new ambassadors to be interviewed on 6 January
  • Trust and KAP do not accept to give money to the Government
  • Mimoza is “small” for PDK

Other headlines

  • Jahjaga met with Branco (2)
  • A sustainable solution for Kosovo required (2)
  • Serbia should change its policy towards Kosovo (2)
  • No vehicle heads towards Serbia (4)
  • Freedom of movement agreement, starts to implement (5)
  • Valley concerned regarding reciprocity (5)

Kosova Sot

Front page

  • Cooper: Remove the barricades
  • Fuel and cigarettes fill the cash box
  • Strategy for the north, ready in January

Other headlines

  • Pastor: We should accept Kosovo as a neighbor (2)
  • Halimi: Tariffs, a double embargo (2)
  • Jahjaga: We await help of Portugal on integration processes (3)
  • Dacic: A solution for all issues should be found (3)
  • Barricades impede the freedom of movement (3)
  • Deda denies the “model” of two Germanys (4)
  • Sutanovac: We invested billions in Kosovo (5)

Epoka e Re

Front page

  • In January begins the drafting of the new law on elections
  • It starts well

Other headlines

  • Serbia should change its policy towards Kosovo (2)
  • Bogdanovic requests the removal of barricades (2)
  • Rrahim Pacolli blames Belgrade for the high price for the insurance policies (3)
  • SLS rejects the high border tax (3)
  • Portugal continues support for Kosovo (7)
  • Bigger challenges are waiting for Kosovo in the future (8)
  • Dacic’s scenarios for the division of Balkans (12)

Express

Front page

  • Implementation very expensive
  • Consulates blocked
  • 100 million in Brezovica

Other headlines

  • Dacic requests solution for Kosovo (5)
  • Only formality (5)
  • I was misinterpreted (6)
  • Portugal will support Kosovo (6)
  • Pensioners do not agree with the law (9)
  • Investments in Brezovica (10)
  • They have made a mistake with insurances! (11)

Bota Sot

Front page

  • The model of two Germany’s in damage of Kosovo
  • The change of ministers does not change the governance
  • Cooper: the implementation of the agreement, good news for everybody

Other headlines

  • The lack of staff in the Kosovo consulates (2)
  • Sinno: EU is preparing Kosovo for Europe (2)
  • It starts the beginning of implementation for the freedom of movement (3)
  • The regional roads in the north barricaded (7)
  • PLK: There will not be visa liberalization before parliamentary elections (9)

Disclaimer

This media summary consists of selected local media articles for the information of UN personnel. The public distribution of this media summary is a courtesy service extended by UNMIK on the understanding that the choice of articles translated is exclusive, and the contents do not represent anything other than a selection of articles likely to be of interest to a United Nations readership. The inclusion of articles in this summary does not imply endorsement by UNMIK.