- Pacolli: There hasn’t been humanitarian crisis in north since 1999, when Serbian forces left (Klan Kosova, RTK&KTV)
- Norway calls for improvement of relations between Kosovo and Serbia (KTV)
- Haradinaj: Kosovo is becoming leader in the region in respecting community rights (RTK2&KTV)
- Berisha: Egyptians in Kosovo not treated equally with other communities (KTV)
- Lancaster: UK to continue support KFOR (RTK)
News
Pacolli: There hasn’t been humanitarian crisis in north since 1999, when Serbian forces left
(Klan Kosova, RTK&KTV)
Refuting Serbian media and authorities of a humanitarian crisis in Kosovo, the Kosovo Minister of Foreign Affairs Behgjet Pacolli said that there has not been any humanitarian crisis since 1999, when Serbian forces left Kosovo, and there will never be any crisis.
He called on the international community to monitor the Serbia’s attempt to destabilise Kosovo, and to punish Serbia.
“Serbian Government, the controlled media in Serbia, and Belgrade’s puppet politicians in the north, have launched a fake news campaign to create history of an allegedly humanitarian crisis in the north. Now directed Milosevic’s playback is known to Kosovo. We will oppose this propaganda, which aims to create tension and incidents in northern Kosovo. There has not been any humanitarian crisis since 1999 when Serb forces left Kosovo, and there will never be such a crisis. Kosovo will take care of all its citizens. In northern Kosovo there are enough products and medicines. I call on the international community for monitoring this attempt of Serbia to destabilise Kosovo, and for punishing Serbia,” Pacolli wrote on Facebook.
In the meantime, Minister of Trade and Industry Endrit Shala stated that what is called “Lack of food in the north” is Serbian propaganda to lift the tax, RTK portal reported.
In an interview with Klan Kosova, Rados Petrovic, a Serb man from Kosovo north who is being mentioned as the key person for staging the humanitarian crisis, said he does not know why is he being accused of.
Petrovic, who presents himself as representative of business from the north, says that the crisis is already realistic. He announced that the crisis will escalate in the coming and the shops will be closed.
Norway calls for improvement of relations between Kosovo and Serbia
(KTV)
The Kosovo-Serbia dialogue was the key topic of discussion on Tuesday, during the visit paid to Prishtinë/Pristina by the Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide.
On her visit, she met with the Kosovo Government leaders. At the meeting with Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, the latter stated that Kosovo was committed to having dialogue with Serbia, which would lead to a final agreement within the existing borders, and with mutual recognitions.
The Norwegian Foreign Minister met also with her Kosovar counterpart Behgjet Pacolli. She assured Pacolli that her country supports Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic integration, but that takes a strong leadership and a better coordination amongst political parties.
Minister Pacolli said that Kosovo would continue the dialogue with Serbia, but only as two equal states.
Talking about visa liberalisation, Pacolli said that now this is a political issue only, given that Kosovo has met all the technical requirements.
Haradinaj: Kosovo is becoming leader in the region in respecting community rights
(RTK2&KTV)
The Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj took part in marking the Egyptian Week, which was held at Asim Vokshi cultural centre in Gjakovë/Djakovica.
Haradinaj initially said he grew up in a family where others were respected, particularly communities, and he is happy that Kosovo is becoming a leader in the region in respecting the community rights.
He thanked the Kosovo Assembly Member Veton Berisha for his commitment in the service of this community, which has also made him to closely understand their specifics and demands, saying that they are now together winners because the Government’s decision to mark 24th June as the Day of Egyptians of the Balkans and of Kosovo can be celebrated.
“We gathered today to mark the Week of Kosovo Egyptians, and the best success is June 24, Memorial Day of the Egyptians,” Haradinaj said, and added that they are aware that there is still work to be done, such as participation in institutions, army, police, employment, housing, education and many other fields.
The event was attended by the Minister of Local Government Administration Adriana Hodzic, the Mayor of Gjakovë/Djakovica Ardian Gjini, Kosovo Assembly Member Veton Berisha, and the Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Artan Berisha.
On the other hand, Minister of European Integration Dhurata Hoxha stressed that Kosovo is an example of respect for the rights of communities, an example which should be followed by Serbia, RTK2 reported.
She met young people of Presevo Valley on Tuesday with whom she discussed challenges of young people, such as recognition of diplomas, low student enrolment quotas from the Valley at the University of Prishtina and other issues.
Berisha: Egyptians in Kosovo not treated equally with other communities
(KTV)
In an interview with KTV Express Intervista, MP Veton Berisha said that Egyptians in Kosovo are not treated equally with other communities.
He says that the Government should have a plan that would provide equality for all communities, rather than having double standards.
“Today is the last day of the Egyptian Week. Over the last six days, we have tried to do our best to raise the voice of Egyptians. The week was full of activities, both at the central and local level. We have tried to draw attention of the institutions,” Berisha said.
Berisha added that on Tuesday’s protest, they tried to address the problems that keep being neglected by the Kosovo institutions.
“We need to be treated with dignity, and I think that the Government has obligations towards us in this respect. Two or more standards are used for communities in Kosovo. In this case, Serbs are privileged. I think it no longer makes sense to speak about integration, whilst houses for Serbs have been built and they stand empty, whereas we requested construction of our houses, and there was hesitation. We are treated unequally with other communities, as well,” he stressed.
According to Berisha, a seat in the Kosovo Assembly is not sufficient, adding that there is a missing link between the central and local government.
“We do not have guaranteed seats at the local level, and that is very important. There is no link, and the Government should make a link between the central and local level,” Berisha added.
“I think that this should change, and that we should be treated equally. The Government should sit and develop an accurate plan about the issues that concern us. There have been only ad-hoc actions, but a proper plan is needed. I think that the Government should have a system, it should have laws, and it should implement them,” Berisha stated.
Berisha mentioned the case when the Egyptian community members were completely excluded from the Police job vacancy, and emphasised that in some cases the Government has failed to employ even educated persons.
“There are 300-400 persons who have graduated, and there are more persons who are able to work. In one case, a medical doctor sued the Ministry of Health, because he was not employed. Presently he is working in Dubai, and he is intending to create a foundation for students,” he said.
Berisha says that Egyptian community is doing well regarding education, and that the awareness has been improved.
“We know that it is very important for us to be educated. We call on parents to send their children to school, and I can say that in every family there is at least one person with secondary education,” he said.
Furthermore, Berisha said that even when it comes to grants, Egyptians are not treated equally.
“Our community receives minimal grants from the ministries. It is hard for our community to apply equally with others, and there is no policy in place to bring about the equal level. Kosovo is the best one in the region in terms of treating communities, but that is not enough; there should be a better position. In this respect, I think that there should be more employed persons, and better wellbeing,” Berisha concluded.
Lancaster: UK to continue support KFOR
(RTK)
The British Defence Minister Mark Lancaster stated that the United Kingdom will continue its commitment in Kosovo through the NATO Mission.
“I remember very well how Kosovars received me 20 years ago when I went there. This friendship is not forgotten by any country, so we will continue our commitment for stability in the region,” he said.
Lancaster said this at an event of the National Army Museum.
