- Slovak MFA and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Lajčák received by Kosovo leaders (All monitored broadcasters, RTK2, Klan Kosova & KTV)
- Institutions provide support to persons with disabilities (TV broadcasters, Indeksonline & KosovaPress)
- Kosovo-Serbia technical delegations met in Berlin (KTV)
- President’s Office wasn’t aware of secret meeting in Berlin (KTV)
- Haradinaj: Serbia not willing to discuss mutual recognition (RTK)
- Kosnett welcomes Veseli’s decision to suspend corrupt officials (RTK)
- US Ambassador strongly criticizes Ministry of Justice (RTK&KTV)
- Extra 2.5 euro per power meter to be charged for RTK (KTV)
- Officer who avoided arrest in northern Kosovo, is married to Srpska List MP (GazetaExpress)
- TV Most: Scandalous – Serbs snitched on Serbs in the north of KiM! (Kossev)
News
Slovak MFA and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Lajčák received by Kosovo leaders
(All monitored broadcasters, RTK2, Klan Kosova & KTV)
Kosovo online and broadcast media report that Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj hosted on Friday the Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák, and discussed the recent developments, including the idea on exchange of territories and recognition of Kosovo by all EU member countries.
“Working breakfast with Slovak Foreign Minister and the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Miroslav Lajčák. We discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, cooperation with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and strengthening of relations between the two countries, especially on our joint Euro-Atlantic integration path. I thanked Minister Lajčák for his principled stance against exchange of territories and emphasised that Kosovo’s recognition by all EU-member countries, especially Slovakia, is a direct contribution to stability and security in the region,” Haradinaj said via a Facebook post.
The same media outlets quoted Kosovo Minister of Foreign Affairs Behgjet Pacolli as saying that OSCE is an important partner of Kosovo after receiving today Slovak MFA and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Miroslav Lajčák. They discussed issues that are important for the two countries and the entire region.
“Following a very busy and successful agenda in Africa, I returned to Kosovo to host our friends and partners from the Slovak Republic.
I had the honour to host Miroslav Lajčák, the Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and OSCE CIO, and his team at my residency. We discussed issues that are important not only for our countries but for the entire region. The OSCE is an important partner of Kosovo and the OSCE Mission has played a historic role for Kosovo during and after the war,” Pacolli said via a Facebook posting.
Meanwhile, the media note that even though Slovakia has not recognised Kosovo, Pacolli expressed the readiness for and welcomed opening of an office of Kosovo in Bratislava in the spirit of strengthening the relations between Kosovo and Slovakia.
Late in the evening, KTV portal reported that Co-chairman of the State Delegation for Talks with Serbia, Fatmir Limaj, had a working lunch with Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák on Friday.
He was joined by the other co-chairman of the delegation, Shpend Ahmeti.
Limaj announced that with the Slovak MFA they discussed current developments in the country, as well as the deepening of the relations between the two countries.
At this meeting, Limaj also stressed that that sooner recognition of Kosovo by EU member states, by Slovakia in this case, is important for Kosovo and the region.
“Together with Shpend Ahmeti in the capacity of Chairmen of State Delegation for Talks with Serbia, we had a working lunch with Slovakia’s Foreign Minister, also OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Miroslav Lajčák, with whom we discussed current developments in our country, as well as deepening of relationship between our two countries,” he wrote.
He further said that they also talked about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, where it was concluded that a way to continue the dialogue with Serbia should be found as soon as possible.
“Kosovo stands ready to sit in talks to reach a comprehensive binding agreement on mutual recognition,” he wrote.
Klan Kosova portal reported that Srpska List chairman Goran Rakic received on Friday in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North the Slovak MFA Lajčák and Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu.
At this meeting they discussed situation in Kosovo and the issues that Serb community is facing, Klan Kosova portal quoted Tanjug.
RTK2 portal reported that within the framework of his visit to Kosovo, Lajčák met also with the President of Independent Liberal Party (SLS) Slobodan Petrovic.
“The OSCE in Kosovo has a great mission,” Miroslav Lajčák said, pointing out that the purpose of his visit was to get acquainted with the concrete work and cooperation between the Mission representatives with authorities in Prishtinë/Pristina, representatives of local government and the Serb community. Lajčák underlined that dialogue has no alternative.
“The message that I bring, among other things, is that only dialogue makes it possible to move forward and I am concerned by the fact that currently there is no dialogue between Belgrade and Prishtinë/Pristina, which has produced a series of concrete, good results for every person living in Kosovo. At the meeting with Prime Minister Haradinaj, I confirmed that I see no alternative and it would be very good for the dialogue to resume,” Lajčák said.
He added that the European Union and the OSCE expect the dialogue to continue, wondering how the problems will be solved if dialogue will not happen soon.
In addition to the current political topics, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office also inquired about the position of the Serb community, about which he was briefed by the SLS President and Kosovo Assembly Member, Slobodan Petrovic. The latter said that the Serb community lives in a very difficult position and in fear.
Institutions provide support to persons with disabilities
(TV broadcasters, Indeksonline & KosovaPress)
Two leaders of the Kosovo institutions, namely the Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, attended the Mini Olympics for persons with disabilities, which were held on Friday in Vushtrri/Vucitrn.
Veseli and Haradinaj highlighted that this community will always enjoy appropriate support by relevant institutions.
Assembly Speaker Veseli said that their attendance proves strong support by the institutions for this category, and he called on those persons to take responsibilities to develop Kosovo.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj said that they have done some good things for this community, emphasising that they will not cease to support them in all areas.
Support to this community was also provided by Director of the OSCE Department of Security and Public Safety Aake Roghe, who said that this community is special, and through this event, they need to be provided appropriate support.
President of the Paralympic Committee Njomza Emini said that 2019 will be a special year for this community, and she highlighted that they are ready to join international organisations.
In the meantime, Indeksonline portal quoted Emini to have thanked the Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Lajčák, who in the capacity of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office gave his concrete support for the Kosovo Paralympic Committee and this organization, by allocating the amount of 10.000 euro for this event.
She also shared a note that Mr. Lajčák sent to them: “Dear friends, today I am paying a visit to Kosovo in the capacity of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. I am really sorry that my tight agenda does not allow me to be there.”
The event was attended by many other personalities, including Minister of Local Government Adriana Hodzic, who said that everybody should advocate for providing access to persons with disabilities like all other citizens of Kosovo.
Mini Olympics for persons with disabilities has already become traditional, since the Kosovo Paralympic Committee organises it every year, where throughout the whole day various sport and leisure activities take place.
Kosovo-Serbia technical delegations met in Berlin
(KTV)
Technical delegations of Kosovo and Serbia met far from the public glare.
The meeting took place in Berlin, and only a photo was shared on the media, showing Ambassador Avni Arifi and Chief of Staff of Prime Minister Haradinaj, Selim Selimi.
Neither Arifi nor Selimi provided any explanation to KTV, but meanwhile it was the Prime Minister Haradinaj who spoke out about it.
He insisted that the only topic of discussion was level of implementation of agreements reached in the technical dialogue, and the matter of Association of Serb Majority Municipalities was not discussed.
Haradinaj said that the dialogue has been blocked because of Serbia’s reluctance to discuss recognition of Kosovo.
On the other hand, Serbian media were told a different version by the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. According to him, the meeting was a preparation for the Paris Summit, and no specific result was achieved.
“I sent Marko Djuric to Berlin to take part in the preparatory meeting for the Paris Summit. I instructed him that Serbia should be constructive, and that what is important is revocation of the anti-civilised tariff, but Albanians did not even think of revoking the tariff, and for this reason no results have been achieved,” Vucic said.
Vucic said he was sure that the Paris Summit would not happen at the beginning of July, which later on was also confirmed by Cabinet of the French President Emmanuel Macron and by the German Government.
Spokespersons of the German Government stated to Deutsche Welle that the meeting was postponed to indefinite time, while they will continue keeping in touch with Kosovo and Serbia.
President’s Office wasn’t aware of secret meeting in Berlin
(KTV)
Office of the Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi confirmed that they had not been aware of what they called, secret meeting of the Prime Minister in Berlin, KTV portal reported.
In an official response, the President’s Press Office stated that such unannounced, secret, and uncoordinated meetings do not help in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process.
“The President’s Office was not informed about participation of a Prime Minister’s team in the secret meeting in Berlin, and we still have not received any official report on what was discussed at the meeting. Such unannounced, secret, and uncoordinated meetings do not help in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process, particularly now that we have our Negotiation Team, which is in charge of discussing any topic with Serbia,” response of the President’s Office says.
The response adds that institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are constitutionally and legally obliged to be transparent to Kosovo citizens on a sensitive and important process, such as the Kosovo-Serbia is.
The opposition parties, Vetëvendosje, PSD and LDK also reacted to the Berlin meeting.
Responding to reactions on Berlin meeting, Haradinaj said he had previously informed the coalition partners and international about it and that the meeting was not secret.
Haradinaj: Serbia not willing to discuss mutual recognition
(RTK)
Commenting on failure of the Paris Summit, the Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj stated that once representatives of Kosovo and Serbia are willing to discuss mutual recognition within the existing borders, the dialogue will happen. However, he noted that it might take time.
At a press conference which was held following the AAK chairmanship meeting, Haradinaj said they had discussed political developments in the country as well as the AAK convention, scheduled for 30th June.
Kosnett welcomes Veseli’s decision to suspend corrupt officials
(RTK)
The United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett, welcomed the decision of the PDK chairman Kadri Veseli to suspend or dismiss officials who have issues with law from public office.
On Twitter, the US Ambassador stressed that full implementation of this decision is expected to be seen.
“PDK’s decision to suspend or dismiss indicted officials from public office is a welcome step. Will we see full implementation, and a comprehensive effort by ALL political parties to address systemic corruption? If not now, when?” he wrote.
US Ambassador strongly criticizes Ministry of Justice
(RTK&KTV)
The United States Ambassador to Prishtinë/Pristina, Philip Kosnett, through a Twitter post has criticized Ministry of Justice for releasing a war crimes convict sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment in the “Kukës Case”.
He said that abuse of justice system must stop, KTV portal reported.
“Justice Ministry signed the release of a war crimes convict sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment in the Kukes case, who served fewer than 12 months in past 3 years. Regular abuse by well-connected criminals of the medical leave system & suspended sentences must stop,” Kosnett wrote on Twitter.
In the meantime, Kosovo’s Minister of Justice Abelard Tahiri reacted. RTK portal quoted him as saying that Ministry of Justice has no legal power to release any person from serving the sentence or suspending the sentence for any person.
Extra 2.5 euro per power meter to be charged for RTK
(KTV)
An extra cost of 2.5 euro will be charged per each power meter for the public broadcaster.
This was presented by Rashit Gashi, on a placard displayed near the entrance of the Kosovo Assembly building.
Gashi, a KEDS employee, said that he took this action as a citizen who is against this fee.
Only a small number of citizens responded to the protest, which was announced on social networks only. Nevertheless, the protest was also supported by members of KEK Trade Union.
On Friday, a reaction was issued also by the Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF), considering the extra charge for RTK as unconstitutional, and calling upon citizens to refuse it.
CDHRF reminded that such a prepayment practice is illegal, and it could be easily turned down by the Constitutional Court. The reaction also mentioned the troubles that have continuously accompanied RTK.
“Since the beginning, RTK has faced issues both with editorial and financial management, because it has been 100 per cent politically influenced, adjusting to every elite in power,” the reaction says.
Draft Law on RTK still has not been passed in the second reading by the Kosovo Assembly.
Officer who avoided arrest in northern Kosovo, is married to Srpska List MP
(GazetaExpress)
Rade Radisavljevic, is a Kosovo Police (KP) member, who last month avoided the arrest of his colleagues during a large police operation in Serb inhabited northern part of the country. Gazeta Express has learned that the police officer is sheltering in Serbia, whereas investigations by Pristina authorities are ongoing.
The police officer Radosavljevic is suspected of being involved in smuggling activities in northern Kosovo and is married to Jelena Bontic, who is Member of Kosovo Parliament representing Srpska List, a political entity repressing Kosovo Serbs which is under direct control of Belgrade.
Last month around 300 Kosovo Police officers carried out a large anti-smuggling operation in the northern municipalities and arrested 19 police officers suspected of being involved in smuggling and organised crime. But during the operation on 28 May, the police faced resistance of local Serbs, by erecting barricade and opening gunfire towards the Police. One police officer was wounded. During the operation also a Russian UNMIK staffer was arrested, suspected of helping local Serbs erecting barricades aimed at preventing Kosovo Police officers from carrying out their operation. Part of this smuggling ring was also police officer, Rade Radisalvjevic, who on 28 May managed to avoid the arrest.
TV Most: Scandalous – Serbs snitched on Serbs in the north of KiM!
(Kossev)
After Pristina’s position in international circles was shaken, following daily pressure to abolish the taxes on Serbian products, the repression of Kosovo institutions against Serbs in the north of Kosovo and Metohija continues in the field in order to demonstrate the force and intimidate the Serbian people.
After several intrusions of special police units in the north of Kosovo and the detention of Serbs, Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj got directly involved in the campaign via his Facebook page today by threating prominent entrepreneurs in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, who refused to raise the price of food products and thus showed solidarity with the citizens after the introduction of anti-civilized taxes.
Haradinaj wrote on Facebook that the emptying of shops, where there are no basic goods from Serbia, was a plan prepared by „certain people in the North – which the Government of Kosovo was informed about.“
„Based on this information, we discovered that the plan was organized by Rados Petrovic, Goran Vlaskovic, Bojan Jaksic-Cojo, Slavisa Stanic, and Radule Stevic. According to sources of Kosovo’s security mechanisms, this organization will be assisted by logistics and other forms by the so-called ‘Civil Protection’ in the north, led by Stevo Pavicevic. We will not stand with our hands crossed when faced with these tendencies of destabilization and we call on the mayors in the north and the citizens not to fall for these provocations,“ Haradinaj wrote.
As TV Most revealed from well informed people in the field, Pristina has the support of some Serbs for its dirty work, who are being blackmailed and paid handsomely to inform on those who oppose Pristina’s taxes and the aim to expel Serbs from the north of Kosovo and Metohija. The following names are listed as those who are potential associates of Pristina intelligence structures – Dejan Sekulic called Joja, Goran Dimitrijevic Cengela, but also Dragan Nikolic, Zoran Radunovic called Trut, Camil Bajramic, Dragan Nesovic, as well as a certain Goran Gogic. Almost all of them are residents of the Leposavic municipality and members of the Kosovo police.
Aleksandar Vucic, president of Serbia, and representatives of Srpska Lista, spoke about the attempt to divide and break up Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija on several occasions. Unfortunately, some western embassies are involved in these insidious moves by Pristina.
The Kosovo Prosecutor’s Office, which launched an investigation into border police officers in the north of Kosovo in April last year, received the support and information from four Serbs from Leposavic – Dejan Sekulic Joja, Bojan Pavlovic Brada and two entrepreneurs – Ljubisa Vukicevic Capa and Darko Savic Djavo – who were part of the investigation conducted by Prosecutor Shyqri Syla.
Namely, the four Serbs provided information from the field to the Kosovo Police Inspectorate and the Kosovo Intelligence Agency from May 2018, based on which the Kosovo Special Forces conducted a recent campaign of arrests and beatings of Serbs in the north of Kosovo and Metohija. Sekulic also took part in creating a report on the entry of Serbian goods on which Pristina imposed a 100% tax, and which entered KiM through the „green belt“, which is usually secured by border police officers who were the subject of the investigation.
Sekulic then set up cameras for Kosovo intelligence agencies that recorded citizens and businessmen who delivered goods for the needs of the local population in order to avoid empty racks and a humanitarian catastrophe in Serb-populated areas that use domestic food only from Serbia.
All four, unfortunately, as we learn, provided operational and logistical support to the Kosovo Police Inspectorate, the Kosovo Intelligence Agency and the Kosovo Prosecutor’s Office, on the day the action was conducted, in which special police forces in four municipalities in the north used brutal and excessive force. After the campaign ended, together with Markovic in Leposavic, they celebrated the arrests and beatings of their fellow citizens.
We publish the photographs of Serbs that were claimed to have participated in the informing on their compatriots that had been published on the Instagram profile “Srpska čast”.
