Brussels, 04/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - The acting president of Kosovo, Jakup Krasniqi, called on the EU, Switzerland and the United States on Wednesday to monitor the early legislative elections to be held in his country on 12 December. In a letter to Catherine Ashton, Krasniqi says the presence of European observers during the ballot would send a “powerful message to politicians and citizens alike” and would strengthen the credibility and reliability of the elections. On 2 November, the Kosovar parliament was dissolved following the vote of a censure motion against the government under Prime Minister Hashim Thaci. Krasniqi then announced that elections would be held early on 12 December.
Role for Turkey? In the meantime, Turkey, which is applying for EU membership, has said it is ready to facilitate the forthcoming discussions between Kosovo and Serbia organised with EU assistance (Ed: joint resolution voted on 10 September at the UN General Assembly). “We are ready. When the invitation gets here, we shall be ready” to intervene in facilitating dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the Turkish prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said on 3 November when in the Kosovar capital. “Turkey is willing to meet the obligations arising from the coming process and which is linked to stability in the Balkans region”, Erdogan added. Turkey was one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo. To date, the new state has been recognised by 71 countries, including 22 of the 27 EU member states. (H.B./transl.jl)