Attack on TV Most crew condemned by OSCE media freedom representative

(RTK2)

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic condemned an attack on a television crew of TV Most in Obiliq/Obilic.

“Violence against journalists is an attack against free expression and the society as a whole,” Mijatovic said in a press release.

Mijatovic said that it is vitally important to quickly investigate this crime and punish the assailants.

RTK2 reported that on Wednesday, Kosovo Minister of Communities and Return Dalibor Jevtic, at the premises of Radio Gracanica, conferred with the journalistic team, who were attacked in Obiliq/Obilic while they were carrying out their duty. Jevtic said that he will raise this attack at the next Kosovo Government meeting.

At the Kosovo Police said they have not caught the suspect yet, as they are still searching for him.

No Assembly session on demarcation in May

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

On 18 and 25 May Members of the Kosovo Assembly will be in plenary sessions, KTV reports. This was decided by the Assembly Presidency on Wednesday, where it was said that voting of the Law on Money Laundering and the one on financing of terrorism will be a priority.

On the other hand, Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli said they still have not decided when the Agreement on Demarcation with Montenegro will be in the agenda; however, according to him, this will not put visa liberalization at risk.

The AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj once again called on citizens to join the 14 May protest against the Demarcation and Association, as well as the Government, which he considers corrupt.

But, EU integration expert, Emrush Ujkani, said that if demarcation will not be ratified soon, except the delay of freedom of movement, it might also have long-term consequences. Ujkani called on ruling parties and opposition to reach an agreement, but which does not mean giving up of Kosovo territory.

Thaçi urges unification of political spectrum

(KTV)

Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi has requested political unity for, as he calls it, the European future of Kosovo. He made these comments during a visit to Janjevë/Janjevo of Lipjan/Lipljane. Talking from this town, Thaçi urged the whole political spectrum to unite in the process of European integrations.

“I call on everyone to further strengthening of the state for the European future, instead of wasting time on secondary or divisive issues. There are many issues that unify the political spectrum. The state agenda of joint interest should be pushed forward by all,” Thaçi highlighted.

He also stated that Croatian community is not only part of Kosovo’s history, but also of Kosovo’s identity and its European future.

Mustafa: Government will intensify its commitments to economic development

(RTK1)

In the meeting with the representatives of Quint countries and the Head of the EU Office Samuel Zbogar, Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa thanked them for the great support that their countries and the EU institutions have given for Kosovo.

There was a joint conclusion that a new very powerful perspective of development has opened for Kosovo and that the Government will further intensify its commitment to economic development, advancement of European integration processes, strengthening of the rule of law and the fight against corruption and organised crime, a Government’s press release states.

Vucic: We will solve the problem with passports in Kosovo

(RTK2)

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday that the problem with the passports of the Serbian citizens residing in Kosovo and possibility to travel without visas will soon be resolved.

Responding to journalists’ questions, Vucic said that the Serbian state will solve that problem. He highlighted that it will be resolved in accordance with the interests of Serbian people.

“They still cannot travel with the passports issued by the European Union in Kosovo, because passports will be issued in three or four months. Until then we will solve the problem of our citizens,” Vucic stated.

Delawie tells young people to stay away from corruption

(RTK1)

The United States Ambassador in Kosovo, Greg Delawie, expressed his persistence about the urgent need that Kosovo has in the fight against corruption.

During the American University in Kosovo students’ graduation ceremony, he called on students to stay away from this phenomenon, saying that he sees them as a potential that will transform the corrupt society in Kosovo into a society without corruptive influences and nepotism connections.

“But let’s be clear about one thing, corruption in Kosovo is not a political issue.  Corruption in Kosovo is a societal issue.  It is a healthcare issue, an academic issue, an economic issue.  Corruption isn’t just a barrier to economic growth or the development of a skilled civil service; it’s a barrier to jobs, and to wage growth,” Delawie told AUK students.

Religious leaders together against radicalization

(Klan Kosova)

The issue of terrorism and the idea of introducing religious education in schools as a measure to prevent religious radicalism were discussed in a roundtable held in Prishtinë/Pristina on Wednesday.

It was announced that Kosovo President and the US Ambassador in Kosovo would attend this roundtable, but they did not show up. However, they absence was not noted, when representatives of religious communities started to present their views to this phenomenon.

Mikel Sopi from the Catholic Church said that the life of people cannot be taken in the name of the God.

Whereas, Imam Mumin Lama considers that besides the love for the God, every religious person should also be concerned for the interest of his country.

Furthermore, Srdjan Stankovic from the Serbian Orthodox Church said that peace is important and an obligation for the Orthodox religion. According to him, the objective of this Church is to build peace through religious dialogue.

Representative of the Protestant Church, Artur Krasniqi, reiterated his objection to the idea of inclusion of religious education in Kosovo schools.  But, according to Xhabir Hamiti from Kosovo Islamic Community, no one should be afraid of genuine religious education.

On the other hand, the only present MP in the debate, Alma Lama, had a proposal for Kosovo Islamic Community. She said that they should carry out a study, make a difference between religion and Wahhabism, and declare the latter illegal.