• Thaci criticizes EU: For 10 years they’re telling us we are in an early stage (media)
• Pacolli calls on UN to investigate its Russian staff member (media)
• Haradinaj: Russian national was a spy disguised as a UN staff (RTK)
• U.S. mission to OSCE applauds Kosovo Police operation (media)
• Djukanovic: Kosovo – Serbia agreement, key to solving problems in region (media)
• Mustafa: We cannot take territory from Serbia, Thaci has lost his way (media)
• One-month detention for youth that assaulted Roma woman in Ferizaj (media)
• “Kill Albanians” graffiti in Vojvodina, Serbia (media)

Thaci criticizes EU: For 10 years they’re telling us we are in an early stage (media)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci criticized the European Union today of discriminating Kosovo’s citizens and delays the visa liberalization process for Kosovo. “The normalization of relations with Serbia can be achieved faster if the EU acts faster. The isolation is seen as discrimination in Kosovo. The more the EU runs late with Kosovo, there will be growing stereotypes, the more Kosovo’s achievements in reforms are ignored the more isolated people will feel. I have raised a legitimate concern that people will start asking whether the EU wants us or not,” Thaci said at the To Be Secure forum in Montenegro. Thaci also criticized the latest European Commission report on Kosovo saying that for ten years Brussels has been telling Kosovo that it is in an early stage. “For ten years now, the progress report starts with ‘early stage’ as if it was just copied from 2008 to 2019. I know that some have their reservations in this regard, but they can at least open up our perspective. While the EU is running late with Kosovo, ideas that do not comply with the Euro-Atlantic spirit could grow stronger”. Commenting on Kosovo Police’s recent operation in the north, Thaci said it was an action against a multi-ethnic criminal group and that it was not aimed against Serbs. “Headlines of media in Belgrade said that it was a campaign against Serbs, but that is not true. We hit on an organized multi-ethnic group and not only in the north but throughout Kosovo,” he added.

Pacolli calls on UN to investigate its Russian staff member (media)

Several news websites report that Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli has reacted again in the case involving Russian national, Mikhail Krasnoshchekov, whom Kosovo authorities declared persona non grata on Friday. The UN however said that Kosovo cannot declare UNMIK officials as persona non grata.

Pacolli has asked for a thorough and professional investigation against the Russian national. Pacolli said that whoever hides under an immunity, becomes involved in suspected and criminal activities, does not belong in Kosovo or the UN. “We call on senior representatives of the United Nations to initiate a thorough and professional investigation into the involvement of their staff member in what the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo – as a country that aspires to join this universal organization – believe was a case that damages primarily the image of this organization in Kosovo and beyond,” Pacolli wrote.

He also said Kosovo is willing to cooperate with anyone if the UN investigates the case. “I will ask our diplomatic mission in the U.S., whenever there are discussions about developments in the region at this organization, to address the case of this official, as a case that goes against all efforts for rule of law in our country. Our security and judicial institutions would be ready to cooperate closely in such an investigation by the UN and provide all the information they have, where in addition to the flagrant violations of UN internal rules, there can also be a serious international criminal violation.

Haradinaj: Russian national was a spy disguised as a UN staff (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said on Friday that Russian national, Mikhail Krasnoshchekov, who was detained by Kosovo Police during a recent operation in the northern part of Kosovo, obstructed rule of law efforts by using an official vehicle of the UN and that he is a spy disguised as an UN staff member. “His actions go against international law and norms. Obstructing justice and abusing UN symbols constitute a serious violation. The Russian mission at the OSCE must understand that the rule of law is our responsibility towards all citizens of Kosovo in our shared society,” Haradinaj said.

U.S. mission to OSCE applauds Kosovo Police operation (media)

Lane Bahl, Acting Political Counselor with the U.S. Mission to the OSCE hailed on Friday the recent Kosovo Police operation saying it is part of Kosovo’s efforts to fight corruption and strengthen rule of law.“The United States applauds law enforcement efforts by the Kosovo government to combat corruption and strengthen the rule of law. The Kosovo Police action on May 28 was an effort to do just that. Authorities arrested individuals suspected of involvement in smuggling and organized crime.The police arrested suspects who belong to multiple ethnic groups. The operation took place in several locations in Kosovo, not only in the north. We also understand that police detained and released a Russian UNMIK officer. The Kosovo Police are investigating the incident.We encourage all parties to avoid any action that might escalate tensions. All sides should demonstrate professionalism and restraint,” she said at remarks before the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna.

Djukanovic: Kosovo – Serbia agreement, key to solving problems in region (media)

Montenegro’s President, Milo Djukanovic, said today that an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia would be key to resolving problems in the region. “I keep on saying that we can resolve the problems that we are faced with. The dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo and its outcome is key in this regard. It is very important that we support this dialogue,” Djukanovic said at the To Be Secure forum in Montenegro.

Mustafa: We cannot take territory from Serbia, Thaci has lost his way (media)

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader, Isa Mustafa, said in an interview to Ekonomia Online that Kosovo President Hashim Thaci’s idea for Kosovo’s unification with Albania and Presevo Valley is unacceptable and that “President Thaci has lost his way”. “The President’s duty is to defend the constitution of the country. When you defend the constitution, you defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of your country,” he said. Mustafa argued that Thaci had decide to abandon the idea for exchange of territories with Serbia, when he realized that he lacked support both in Kosovo and abroad. Mustafa also said that Kosovo does not need a president that violates the Declaration of Independence.

One-month detention for youth that assaulted Roma woman in Ferizaj (media)

Several news websites that the Basic Court in Ferizaj has ordered a one-month detention for a 17 year-old Kosovo Albanian that assaulted a Roma woman in Ferizaj on Friday.

“Kill Albanians” graffiti in Vojvodina, Serbia (media)

Some news websites report that a graffiti “Kill Albanians” could be seen today in the town of Zrenjanin, Serbia. According to Koha this is not the first time that such graffiti are painted in this town. The Social Demcoratic League of Vojvodina condemned the grafitti and said that whoever wrote the message against Albanians violated the Constitution and insulted its citizens. The news website also notes that there are around 100 Albanians living in the town of Zrenjanin.