Thaçi reemphasises establishment of unity team for dialogue
(TV21 & RTK2)
Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi attended a roundtable organised by the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI), with the topic ‘The future of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue’.
On this occasion, Thaçi reemphasised his initiative for establishment of a unity team that would work together in concluding this process, which would include media and civil society representatives.
According to him, this would ensure a political consensus, as well as the necessary expertise and commitment for implementing the dialogue.
“At the end of the process, we will have a new quality of relationships between Kosovo and Serbia, a relationship of good neighbourhood and cooperation, which will contribute to sustainable peace and integration of the region into the EU,” President Thaçi announced.
RTK2 quoted Thaçi as saying that Kosovo has taken over obligations deriving from the Brussels Agreement that must be fulfilled, first of all passing the agreement on demarcation with Montenegro, and establishment of the Association of Serb majority municipalities which will be in line with the Kosovo Constitution.
“Srpska List is a value of this society. Attacks against them do not contribute to strengthening of the identity of Albanians in the world, nor do they represent a patriotic act. Association of Serb municipalities should be established as soon as possible, but in line with laws and the Constitution of Kosovo,” Thaçi said.
Talking about transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces into the Army of Kosovo, Thaçi said he expected that the Government will be involved in the transformation process, highlighting he is sure that establishment of the Army will be supported by all communities in Kosovo.
Journalist Kajtazi threatened by AAK MP Berisha
(TV21)
Editor in Chief of Insajderi portal Vehbi Kajtazi said that he was threatened by AAK MP Bekë Berisha. According to Kajtazi, MP Berisha went to the restaurant of a friend of Kajtazi, where he left the following message:
“If it happens just one more time that you mention my name in the portal, you will be shot with a bullet at your head.”
While MP Berisha says that he does not even know the journalist, Kajtazi said that the threat was made at the presence of two witnesses.
The Association of Kosovo Journalists (AGK) reacted to the incident. AGK said it was extremely concerned by the threat, and called for swift investigations by justice institutions.
Kosovo Police searches Serbian Red Cross premises in Kosovo
(All monitored broadcasters, TV21, Klan Kosova & RTK2)
Kosovo Police searched Serbian Red Cross premises at several locations in Kosovo. On this occasion, census documents were confiscated. It is considered that the documents were issued in contradiction with the legal provisions, given that census shall be carried out by Kosovo’s relevant institutions.
During the police operation in north Mitrovica/Mitrovicë, several police officers suffered injuries, as they were assaulted by some suspects, against whom proceedings have been initiated referring to the criminal offence attack against official persons.
RTK2 reported about a statement issued by the Party of Kosovo Serbs, which says that the census which has put Red Cross and its staff at risk was in fact part of the campaign of Srpska List and of Serb Progressive Party before local elections in Kosovo. Representatives of Aleksandar Jablanovic’s Party say that the abovementioned parties intend to visit every household, in order to threaten and intimidate people before local elections, and in so doing, to influence the will of the people.
Klan Kosova reported that the US Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delawie wrote on his Twitter account that he was concerned about the Red Cross issue, and that he has been following it closely.
EU backs current version of Kosovo-Montenegro border
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
The European Union backs current version of the agreement on demarcation of the border with Montenegro.
This stance was reconfirmed in Prishtinë/Pristina by Angelina Eichhorst, the European External Action Service Director for Western Europe, Western Balkans.
Following her meetings with Kosovo leaders, Eichhorst said this position was made clear to the Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, whereas the latter did not make any statement to the media.
As far as visa liberalisation for Kosovo is concerned, Eichhorst called for meeting of the requirements – fight against corruption and ratification of the border agreement with Montenegro.
During her visit to Kosovo, Eichhorst met also with the Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli. After the meeting, Veseli did not make any statement to the media either.
In addition, Eichhorst met with the Vetëvendosje chairman Visar Ymeri, and with LDK caucus leader Avdullah Hoti.
Jahjaga: Crimes committed against Kosovo women and men were kept silent
(TV21, KTV)
Crimes that were committed against Kosovo women and men during the war were kept silent for years, former President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga stated.
Referring to statistics, Jahjaga said it resulted that there are 20.000 women and men who were raped during the war.
The British Ambassador Ruairí O’Connell said that it is not violence survivors that should feel ashamed, but rather the perpetrators.
On the other hand, EULEX in Kosovo Alexandra Papadopoulou said that the European Union Rule of Law Mission remains committed to prosecute all the cases, adding that challenges in these investigations are very major.
These statements were made in the workshop “Addressing the stigma surrounding survivors of sexual violence during the armed conflict in Kosovo”, organised by the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims, with support of the British Embassy.
Some of the victims of sexual violence during the war in Kosovo also attended the workshop.
