Jahjaga: The Balkans need European investments (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga is participating at a meeting of the regional presidents called the “Brdo-Brioni Process,” in Budva, Montenegro. Jahjaga said in her address that the region needs a strong European Union presence, “especially given certain circles in the region that do not want to see social and democratic progress”. “We need European investments, we need cultural communication which redirects us all together towards values and ideals which we share and makes them tangible. In this debate there is no room for ‘us’ and ‘them’, because such a division is totally counterproductive and is advantageous only to those who see the desperation and distress of our citizens as means to cause irreparable chasms which will send the region backwards,” Jahjaga said.
Thaci seeks French support for European integration (Koha)
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hashim Thaci, on Monday in Paris met with his French counterpart, Laurent Fabius. Thaci and Fabius discussed latest developments in Kosovo, the signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and the Pristina – Belgrade dialogue. “The signing of the SAA, which is expected to happen as soon as possible, will mark another confirmation of our success. Now we are working with even greater commitment to economic development,” Thaci said. He thanked his French counterpart for the support given to Kosovo’s membership in the International Organization of Francophonie, and said that Kosovo is focused on membership in various organizations for the benefit of the people of Kosovo.
Limaj: Haradinaj and I were tried by the UN (Telegrafi)
The leader of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), Fatmir Limaj, told Prizren-based Besa TV, that he was already tried by the United Nations in The Hague, together with the leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj. “We have proven our innocence,” Limaj said. He said that he would oppose the establishment of the special court. According to him, the establishment of this court directly affects the sovereignty of Kosovo. “The opposition is not against the investigations of individuals, but against damaging Kosovo’s sovereignty. Nobody has the right to negotiate the sovereignty of a country,” said Limaj.
Haradinaj: This is how we can combat radical Islamists (RTK)
Daut Haradinaj, deputy leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and chairperson of the Kosovo Assembly’s Committee on Internal Affairs, Security and Supervision of the Kosovo Security Force, reacted on Monday against the recent threats made by ISIS members against the Albanians and the Balkans in general. Haradinaj suggests that Kosovo must strengthen its intelligence agency and cooperate with neighboring countries and beyond; Kosovo’s Police should urgently become a member of Interpol and Europol; Kosovo must strengthen its anti-terrorism special units; Kosovo must establish its armed forces as soon as possible; and Kosovo must draft a national programme on de-radicalization, reintegration and rehabilitation from violent extremism.
Serbian List opposes reburial of Isa Boletini in northern Kosovo (RTK)
The Serbian List said on Monday it opposes the reburial of Isa Boletini in the northern part of Kosovo and that it views this as provocation against the Serb community. The reburial of Isa Boletini, an Albanian national hero, is scheduled to take place in the village of Boletin, in Zvecan municipality, on Wednesday, 10 June.
Fate of missing persons, hostage to politics (Kosova Sot)
The failure to determine the fate of over 1,600 persons missing since the Kosovo conflict continues to remain hostage to the political agenda, said members of the Kosovo government’s commission on missing persons. Chairman Prenk Gjetaj said the issue of missing persons should be addressed in the Pristina-Belgrade dialogue.
Prosecution: Rizaj, Ndrecaj killed during Kumanovo operation (Kosova Sot)
The prosecution of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) says that Beg Rizaj and Mirsad Ndrecaj from Kosovo were killed during the police operation in Kumanovo on 9 and 10 May. The prosecution said this has also been confirmed by the forensic investigations. Earlier media reports suggested that Rizaj and Ndrecaj were alive when arrested by the police and only later declared dead.
Investigation on Hasani, suspended (Zeri)
The chairman of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo, Enver Hasani, who was being investigated on the suspicion of forgery and abuse of official position, has not participated in the court session on the grounds that he has immunity from prosecution. This has led the investigation against him be suspended for an indefinite period of time.
