Headlines

• Ministry of EU Integration: Press statement about meeting with O’Connell was template (KTV)
• Kosovo Consulate in Denmark attacked (All monitored broadcasters, KTV & Klan Kosova)
• Morina released, arrives to Kosovo (All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
• Kosnett visits missing persons’ relatives in Krushë e Madhe (Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)
• Political parties discuss elections, LDK and VV seem closer to each other (Klan Kosova)

News

Ministry of EU Integration: Press statement about meeting with O’Connell was template

(KTV)

In a press statement, Ministry of EU Integration said that the press statement about the Hoxha – O’Connell meeting was a template which had been used earlier, and it was not checked with the British Embassy.

British Ambassador to Kosovo Ruairi O’Connell strongly reacted to the Minister of EU Integration Dhurata Hoxha, saying that at the meeting on Wednesday they had not even discussed SAA, Koha.net reported.

Press statement of the Ministry of EU Integration follows:

The Ministry of European Integration, Communication and Information Office apologises for the version of the statement which contained errors and was a template used earlier, and it was not confirmed by the Embassy of the United Kingdom.

The corrected statement:

Acting Minister of European Integration Dhurata Hoxha received at a meeting the outgoing Ambassador of the United Kingdom Ruairí O’Connell, with whom she discussed the cooperation they have had so far, which the Minister greatly appreciated, and considered it extremely useful.

Minister Hoxha thanked Ambassador O’Connell for his support in fighting crime, corruption, and nepotism, emphasising that friendship and support by the United Kingdom is a value of citizens and statehood of Kosovo.

“The contribution of the United Kingdom and its diplomacy, takes an extraordinary place in the new history of our country, therefore, values of this friendship will be growing. The continuous support coming from this great country, is of special importance for Kosovo and its citizens; therefore, your work, Mr Ambassador, should be and is greatly appreciated,” Minister Hoxha highlighted, adding that the United Kingdom has stood strongly beside the state building challenges of our institutions.

The Ambassador of the United Kingdom Ruairí O’Connell stated that Kosovo was at crossroads, and steps need to be taken to move forward. Fighting corruption and nepotism remains important, as well as fostering a culture of transparent recruitment processes within the civil service.

Kosovo Consulate in Denmark attacked

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV & Klan Kosova)

Kosovo’s Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Behgjet Pacolli announced that early on Wednesday, the Consulate of Kosovo in Copenhagen, Denmark was attacked, and that emblem of the state of Kosovo was damaged.

He said that those acts were committed by Serbian bandits and hooligans in Denmark.

“… We condemn this coward act which violated the Vienna Convention and security of diplomatic and consular environments,” Pacolli wrote on Facebook.

He said that Kosovo was working with Danish authorities to bring perpetrators before justice, and added that such attacks demonstrate frustration of the politics pursued by Serbia, which still is not willing to understand that for 11 years in the Western Balkans there is an independent state called the Republic of Kosovo.

“We strongly condemn the Serbian propaganda and Serbia’s aggressive campaign against the Republic of Kosovo,” Pacolli concluded.

On this occasion, emblem of the Embassy of Albania in Copenhagen was also vandalised, given that both diplomatic missions are situated in the same premises.

Later on, Klan Kosova reported that Kosovo’s acting Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj also reacted to the attack conducted by Serbians against the Kosovo Consulate in Denmark.

Hoxhaj wrote on Twitter that they can damage the emblem of Kosovo, but not what it represents.

“Serb vandals attacked today the Consulate of the Republic of Kosovo in the Kingdom of Denmark. They can damage our emblem, but not what it represents. Kosovo is independent, sovereign, and democratic since 2008. Serbia and its hooligans better to get use with reality,” Hoxhaj posted on Twitter.

Morina released, arrives to Kosovo

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

On Wednesday about 19:00 hrs, former KLA member Tomor Morina entered Kosovo, following the decision to release him from detention in North Macedonia, where he was kept for three weeks, upon an arrest warrant issued by Interpol, at Serbia’s request.

“… We are glad that the (North) Macedonian state respected the democratic right, and did not fall prey to Serbia’s trap. We were afraid, but now we are relieved that the extradition has not happened,” Gurakuq Dobruna, a relative of Morina, said.

On the other hand, the Serbian Minister of Justice Nela Kuburovic said that the North Macedonian Supreme Court decision, which stated that the conditions for extradition of Tomor Morina to Serbia had not been fulfilled, showed that once again, politics appeared to be above the law and justice, Beta Serbian news agency reported.

“This is a shame for the international law, but it is a greater blow and sadness for families of the victims, who for decades have been waiting for justice for their loved ones. Although all the necessary evidence had been provided to North Macedonian authorities, the decision was made in contradiction with the truth and facts,” press release of the Serbian Ministry of Justice says, Koha.net reported.

Kuburovic stated that Serbia would not give up seeking perpetrators of the most serious offences against humanity, regardless their origins or ethnic background, saying that this is an obligation to the victims and their families.

Supreme Court in North Macedonia decided on Wednesday that former KLA member Tomor Morina shall not be extradited to Serbia.

Kosnett visits missing persons’ families in Krushë e Madhe

(Most monitored broadcasters, KTV)

The US Ambassador to Kosovo Philipp Kosnett visited families of missing persons in Krushë e Madhe, and said he was touched by their courage and commitment.

During the visit that he paid together with his wife, Kosnett posted on Twitter that he discussed with residents of Krushë e Madhe on how survivors of all communities deserve conclusion of this issue and justice.

In addition, he spoke with the residents that all governments can do more for them.

The meeting was also attended by the mayor of Rahovec/Orahovac Smajl Latifi, who said that he asked for the US to put more pressure on Serbia, until light is shed on the missing persons and until criminals who committed these crimes face justice.

Political parties discuss elections; LDK and VV seem closer to each other

(Klan Kosova)

The two biggest opposition parties, LDK and Vetëvendosje, have approximated their stances; however, they still have not agreed on the nominee for Prime Minister, in case they make a coalition.

Albulena Haxhiu of Vetëvendosje said they intend to compete in the elections only as a parliamentary party, and emphasised that the candidate who gets more votes in the elections, should be nominated for Prime Minister.

Arben Gashi of LDK expressed a similar opinion, adding that it is the Party leader that decides on this issue.

Blerta Deliu-Kodra of PDK said they are not afraid of pre-election or post-election coalitions, but highlighted that PDK will not give up the Prime Minister’s post. She explained that PDK’s candidate for Prime Minister is Kadri Veseli.

Ahmet Isufi of AAK said that they are not scared from election results, and added that they have no red lines to any political party.

This debate on Wednesday was organised by Reinvest College, where political parties discussed solutions that new parliamentary elections can provide.

Meanwhile, AAK Chairmanship member Burim Ramadani stated to Klan Kosova Info Magazine show that the only compromises that AAK will not make for possible coalitions with political parties is discussing the territory exchange and revoking the tariff before Serbia recognises Kosovo.

But according to Ramadani, a coalition with PDK is not an option for AAK.

“We have gone through situations of mistrust and unfair attacks. You remember Veseli’s statement when he said that Ramush Haradinaj speaks with America as same as with Serbia?! We are not interested to act as we did two years ago. We are not interested to enter such pre-election coalitions again, absolutely not,” Ramadani said.