EU: Kosovo needs to find a common language (Zeri)
The European Union Office in Kosovo issued a press release on Wednesday saying that any violence is unacceptable. “Protesting peacefully is a fundamental, inalienable democratic right of citizens. It is a democratic way for citizens to send messages to their political leaders. Violence, however, is unacceptable. It is therefore primarily in the interest of those organizing demonstrations and those demonstrating to distance themselves from violence and prevent its occurrence during such gatherings. As in any democratic society, solutions are to be found through political dialogue in political institutions, through social dialogue among social partners – and in an open dialogue of the authorities with society. Kosovo needs to find a common language to act on economic development and rule-of-law,” said the press release. The EU Office in Kosovo urged political leaders to unite in providing answers to people’s hopes.
Interior minister accuses protesters of damaging Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs Skender Hyseni said in a press conference yesterday that the number of people injured in the Tuesday protest is an indicator of how violent it was. He praised the Kosovo Police for exercising professionalism and added that the protest organizers did not request the necessary permission to stage the demonstration.
Opposition to support upcoming protest (Zeri)
Kosovo opposition parties are determined to continue with protests calling for the dismissal of Communities and Returns Minister Aleksandar Jablanovic and for the transformation of the Trepca mining complex into a public enterprise. The leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, told the media that the date of the protest will be decided today. “What we’re defending goes much deeper and wider than normal day-to-day politics,” said Kurti. The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) have also pledged support for the next protest. According to AAK, the demands of the protesters are legitimate and fair.
Kurti meets EU representative (Epoka e Re)
The leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, met on Wednesday with the head of the European Union Office in Kosovo and EU Special Representative, Samuel Zbogar. A press release issued by Vetevendosje said that Kurti and Zbogar discussed the recent political developments in Kosovo. The press release said that representatives of Vetevendosje had told Zbogar that Communities and Returns Minister Aleksandar Jablanovic should be dismissed because, by denying crimes committed by Serbia in Kosovo, he had “attacked Kosovo’s history.”
Haradinaj expects elections in June (Kosova Sot)
The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, said that current developments in Kosovo show that the government coalition will not be able to survive until June. “It is realistic to expect elections in June of this year,” said Haradinaj, who accused Prime Minister Isa Mustafa of lacking the managerial skills to lead Kosovo.
LDK and PDK demand Shpend Ahmeti’s resignation (Koha Ditore)
Members of the Pristina Municipal Assembly from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) have demanded the resignation of Pristina Mayor Shpend Ahmeti for, as they said, being an organizer of the protest that damaged the city he leads.
