“No executive, legislative powers for Serb municipalities”

PRISTINA Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci says the dialogue is in its final stages but that a community of Serb municipalities will not have executive and legislative powers. Thaci said this after a meeting with EU high Representaive for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton on Thursday. “No executive, legislative powers for Serb municipalities” Belgrade insists that the community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo be given executive and legislative powers. Thaci added that he was optimistic about the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and that things “are going in the right direction”. “We expect Belgrade to be more pragmatic toward Kosovo and that it will recognize de facto situation in the field,” he noted. According to Thaci, after an agreement is reached elections in four municipalities in northern Kosovo will be held in accordance with Kosovo’s laws and the community of Serb municipalities will be formed. He stressed that it would be done solely in accordance with Kosovo’s Constitution and laws and that the community would have no legislative or executive mandate. Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said two days ago that Belgrade could not accept an agreement if it did not include the executive and legislative powers for the community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo, adding that Belgrade was fully ready to make a compromise while Pristina would not make any concessions. Daily Blic has reported that Belgrade and Pristina have reached an agreement on the community of Serb municipalities but that neither Serbs nor Albanians will be satisfied with the solution. Ashton today also met with Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga and leaders of political parties. Their joint conclusion was that it was necessary to continue the process of normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia with respect of Kosovo’s Constitution and laws and European standards. The meeting brought together representatives of all parties, except the Self-Determination Movement led by Albin Kurti. Slobodan Petrovic, the leader of the Serb Independent Liberal Party and deputy prime minister in the Kosovo government, took part in the meeting on behalf of that party. Alliance for the Future of Kosovo leader Ramush Haradinaj stated after the meeting that he was optimistic and that he hoped for an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. “The dialogue continues, and the EU has not imposed any pressure during the talks,” Haradinaj added. Ashton said after the meeting that she had had “open and intensive talks on normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo” with the local political leaders. “We primarily talked about the implementation of the agreements that have already been reached and the need to realize discussions on open issues as soon as possible,” she said in a written statement to media. The EU high representative arrived in Belgrade around 13:00 CET and met with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, PM Ivica Dacic and First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vucic. Hashim Thaci (Beta/AP, file) B92 Tanjug

“No executive, legislative powers for Serb municipalities”

Belgrade insists that the community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo be given executive and legislative powers.

Thaci added that he was optimistic about the Belgrade-Priština dialogue and that things “are going in the right direction”.

“We expect Belgrade to be more pragmatic toward Kosovo and that it will recognize de facto situation in the field,” he noted.

According to Thaci, after an agreement is reached elections in four municipalities in northern Kosovo will be held in accordance with Kosovo’s laws and the community of Serb municipalities will be formed. He stressed that it would be done solely in accordance with Kosovo’s Constitution and laws and that the community would have no legislative or executive mandate.

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić said two days ago that Belgrade could not accept an agreement if it did not include the executive and legislative powers for the community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo, adding that Belgrade was fully ready to make a compromise while Priština would not make any concessions.

Daily Blic has reported that Belgrade and Priština have reached an agreement on the community of Serb municipalities but that neither Serbs nor Albanians will be satisfied with the solution.

Ashton today also met with Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga and leaders of political parties. Their joint conclusion was that it was necessary to continue the process of normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia with respect of Kosovo’s Constitution and laws and European standards.

The meeting brought together representatives of all parties, except the Self-Determination Movement led by Albin Kurti. Slobodan Petrović, the leader of the Serb Independent Liberal Party and deputy prime minister in the Kosovo government, took part in the meeting on behalf of that party.

Alliance for the Future of Kosovo leader Ramush Haradinaj stated after the meeting that he was optimistic and that he hoped for an agreement between Belgrade and Priština.

“The dialogue continues, and the EU has not imposed any pressure during the talks,” Haradinaj added.

Ashton said after the meeting that she had had “open and intensive talks on normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo” with the local political leaders.

“We primarily talked about the implementation of the agreements that have already been reached and the need to realize discussions on open issues as soon as possible,” she said in a written statement to media.

The EU high representative arrived in Belgrade around 13:00 CET and met with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić, PM Ivica Dačić and First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vučić.