- Haradinaj: Tariff means state; it will not be revoked until Serbia recognizes us (KTV)
- Pelosi says that US will always support Kosovo (All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
- US Congressman Engel hosts Kosovo’s Speaker Kadri Veseli (GazetaExpress)
- Veseli in Washington: Kosovo Assembly – most transparent institution (RTK)
- Vetëvendosje, UK against change of borders (GazetaExpress)
- Stability in Kosovo important for security in Balkans (Gazeta Express)
News
Haradinaj: Tariff means state; it will not be revoked until Serbia recognizes us
(KTV)
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) branch in Vushtrri/Vucitrn held its eighth Convention, where it elected the new chairman and new executive committee.
The AAK leader and Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj also attended the Convention. On this occasion, he congratulated the participants, saying that everyone will come out victorious from this meeting.
Haradinaj did not miss to mention imposition of the tariff on Serbian goods and the dialogue with Serbia.
According to him, establishment of the Army, imposition of the tariff on Serbia and the prevention of partition of Kosovo have been courageous.
“The establishment of Kosovo Army was courageous. It was courageous to say stop when they were mobilized to divide Kosovo. Passing the Law on Trepça in the Government and Assembly was courageous. It takes courage to tell Serbia today that it cannot endanger our existence. The tariff means the state, if we cannot keep the tariff until recognition, we will not get reciprocal recognition of the two states. It is a state-making component; it isn’t a vote,” said Haradinaj, KTV portal quoted Kosovapress as reporting.
Pelosi says that US will always support Kosovo
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
During his visit to the United States, the Kosovo Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli had a special meeting with the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
At this meeting, which the Assembly Press Office refers to as a friendly one, Pelosi confirmed to Veseli the unwavering US support to Kosovo.
She pledged that she would always support Kosovo, and emphasised that Kosovo can count on her and on the US Congress’s assistance.
“America will be beside Kosovo, and it will always support you,” the Assembly Press Office quotes Pelosi to have told Veseli.
The Kosovo Assembly Speaker thanked the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives for the unreserved support that she, the US Congress, and the US have historically provided to Kosovo.
Veseli asked Pelosi for the US to get involved more directly in the processes that Kosovo is going through.
At this meeting, Veseli also asked Pelosi for support of the US Congress and institutions to the Kosovo Army and the initiative for punishing Serbian genocide, crimes and raping during the war in Kosovo.
The Assembly Speaker invited Mrs. Pelosi to visit Kosovo soon.
US Congressman Engel hosts Kosovo’s Speaker Kadri Veseli
(GazetaExpress)
Kosovo Parliament Speaker, Kadri Veseli, as part of his visit to the United States met US Congressman, Eliot Engel who is chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee.
During the meeting they discussed cooperation between Kosovo and the US, latest political developments in Kosovo, strengthening of Kosovo’s statehood, the US support in this process and Euro-Atlantic perspective of the state of Kosovo.
Veseli thanked Congressman Engel on his support for Kosovo, whereas Congressman Engel pledged the US will continue supporting Kosovo in all processes.
Engel said that the EU should take swift measures and liberalise visas for Kosovo citizens and work with Kosovo in Euro-Atlantic integration processes. He also said that Serbia should recognise Kosovo as independent and sovereign state, according to a press release issued by Veseli’s cabinet.
Veseli in Washington: Kosovo Assembly – most transparent institution
(RTK)
The Kosovo Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli, who is paying a visit to Washington, addressed the Forum of parliamentary leaders, organised by the US Congress on Wednesday.
At the Forum, the Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli spoke about transparency, accountability, as well as about opening of the Kosovo Assembly to the media, civil society, and citizens.
“Transparency is the only guarantee so that public institutions can gain citizens’ trust. Trust in public institutions is crucial for a democracy. Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo is the most transparent institution, because it has applied some policies dealing with opening of this institution. We have opened the Assembly by allowing access to all, such as to media, civil society, stakeholders, and citizens,” Veseli said.
The Kosovo Assembly Speaker spoke also about modernisation of information technology in the Kosovo Assembly.
“Through modern technologies, we have made participation in law-making process accessible to all stakeholders, by allowing direct access to civic activism. Currently, Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo is open to all age groups, by creating active access to citizens, so that they can see, touch, and perceive the highest institution in their Republic,” Veseli highlighted.
Vetëvendosje, UK against change of borders
(GazetaExpress)
The opposition party of Vetevendosje hosted today a UK delegation, headed by Andrew Page, Head of the Western Balkans Department at the UK’s Foreign Office.
Foreign Office guests during the meeting with the Vetevendosje leader, Albin Kurti, have reiterated Great Britain’s stance against the idea on change of borders. Page talking on Pristina-Belgrade said that his country is against any initiative on change of borders between Kosovo and Serbia. “Page reiterated the United Kingdom’s stance against the initiative on change of borders,” it is stated in a press release issued by Vetevendosje.
Kurti informed Page on recent developments in Kosovo focusing on socio-economic situation, insufficient economy, high unemployment rate especially among women and youngsters, needs on judicial reform and needs on linking the education system with the economy market.
Page said the UK is interested to help Kosovo on economic development by supporting young entrepreneurs, focusing on IT and digitalisation and create better opportunities for young people. “Also Page informed Vetevendosje that the UK has doubled funds on Western Balkans and doubled experts to help fighting organised crime, corruption and cybercrimes,” it is stated in the press release. Among the topics discussed, according to Vetevendosje is also the Berlin process, achievements and fields to focus on the future. “Kurti suggested that the Berlin process should initiate a fund on economic development on Balkans similar to the Marshal Plan on Europe, focusing on divided towns,” it is stated in the press release.
Stability in Kosovo important for security in Balkans
(Gazeta Express)
Austrian minister of Defence, Thomas Stralinger, is paying a two-day visit to Kosovo. He is accompanied by Governor of Carinthia Province, Peter Kaiser and Army commander Walter Gitschthaler, according to a press release issued by the Office of Provincial Government of Carinthia, Gazeta Express reports.
Visiting Austrian troops deployed in Kosovo as part of the peacekeeping mission of KFOR, Austrian defence minister Stralinger said that stability in Kosovo is important to the Balkan region and Austria.
Governor Peter Kaiser thanked Austrian troops for their job in Kosovo saying that without them peace in Kosovo would be unimaginable. There is no confirmation whether Austrian minister Stralinger during his visit will meet Kosovo institutional leaders.