Kosovo not excluded from religious extremism and radicalism

(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)

Religious extremism and radicalism are dangerous factors from which Kosovo is not excluded, either. However, a high religious tolerance exists in Kosovo.

In the two-day conference “Coming together to counter violent extremism”, organised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was stated that religious extremism and radicalism are dangerous factors that do not exclude Kosovo.

“We have come to the conclusion that we will be able to preserve secularism, religious harmony, interethnic and inter-cultural understanding in Kosovo, which is also reflected very clearly in the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, by involving the whole social and political spectrum in Kosovo,” stated Skender Hyseni, Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs.

Ambassador of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, said that Kosovo institutions have engaged in fighting this phenomenon which is threatening the world.

“Violent extremism and radicalism have become the number one threat to global peace and stability. Kosovo is not an exception in this regard. In recent years, we have witnessed individuals, mainly younger people, engaging in extremist and terrorist groups abroad, mostly in and around Syria. It is now clear that they have been inspired by the same radical ideology that has mobilized foreign fighters throughout Europe,” Ambassador Braathu stated.

“Kosovo institutions and communities have risen to this challenge. The institutions engaged in a comprehensive and resolute intervention against radicalized groups and their support networks. Dozens were arrested for engaging in and inspiring terrorism,” he added.

In the meantime, Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa said that they are making efforts to identify the factors which lead to violent extremism and radicalism.

Mustafa: Brussels wants ratification, not statement on demarcation

(RTK – Monitor show)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said that parties of the governing coalition have good cooperation and Government’s mandate will end in 2018.

“We never talked about elections. We are functioning very well. PDK and LDK as a governing coalition will send their mandate to the end. Elections will be held as planned, so after we complete our mandate. Statements in the media are often being misinterpreted and they are being given different directions,”, stated PM Mustafa in Monitor show of RTK1, speaking of the statement made by PDK chairperson, Kadri Veseli, who said that it would not be the end of the world if they entered elections.

Mustafa also spoke about demarcation with Montenegro, which is keeping visa liberalisation hostage, as well as ownership of Trepça mining complex.

Prime Minister Mustafa said that the European Union is not asking for a statement on visa liberalisation, but fulfilment of the criterion, which is voting of demarcation in order to abolish visas.

Assembly to hold session on KLA war values

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

On the initiative of PDK MPs, the Assembly of Kosovo on Thursday will convene an extraordinary session regarding the recent developments and the verdict against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) soldiers.

The request of MPs was to hold the session on Wednesday, but it was impossible to bring all the MPs together.

Kosovo Assembly Speaker, Kadri Veseli, who did not receive questions from journalists, shortly spoke about the extraordinary session.

“PDK MPs collected on Wednesday signatures needed for calling an extraordinary session on conviction of the former KLA members,” Veseli said.

Vetëvendosje MP, Aida Derguti, confirmed that the extraordinary session will be held on Thursday at 10.00hrs

During Wednesday PDK reacted against the Court of Appeal decision on Drenica II case.

Tahiri wants Unity Team for third round of Kosovo-Serbia talks

(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)

The third phase of talks with Serbia might create a new Unity Team of Kosovo, KTV reported.

Kosovo’s chief negotiator, Edita Tahiri, stated in the Assembly Committee on Foreign Affairs that inclusion of all sides, same it happened with the Vienna delegation, is required at this phase.

For the first time, Minister for Dialogue handed over to the Assembly Committee on Foreign Affairs, according to her, the same document that she handed over in Brussels regarding the third phase of dialogue with Serbia which contains several conditions for Serbia.

Vetëvendosje MP, Aida Dërguti, considered statements of minister Tahiri in front of the Commission as contradictory. Pal Lekaj of AAK said that only Belgrade benefited from this dialogue, while according to Nisma MP Zafir Berisha, agreements achieved in Brussels are anti-constitutional.

Nevertheless, Tahiri assured them that the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities will not be established without implementation of agreements achieved in Brussels.

Stojanovic: Srpska List will not return to Kosovo institutions

(TV21)

Deputy Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic said that under the created political circumstances Srpska List will not return to the Government, or the Assembly of Kosovo.

He said that this List will not vote ratification of demarcation with Montenegro. This political entity, which is represented with 11 MP at the Assembly of Kosovo, decided to Kosovo central institutions the moment that lawmakers voted in favour of the Law on Trepça and then the Law on Strategic Investments.

Stojanovic said they will not discuss with the Government on establishment of Kosovo Armed Force without annulment of these two laws and without creating the conditions for return of displaced Serbs.

Murtezaj: Djuric is not banned to visit Kosovo

(RTK2)

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Valon Murtezaj, told RTK2 that the visit to Kosovo of the Director of Serbian Government Office for Kosovo, Marko Djuric, has not been banned, but in case he wants to pay a visit he will have to file a request that will be reviewed by institutions in charge.

“Mister Djuric can file a request for coming to Kosovo, which will be reviewed by the institutions in charge. The practice is that a request is filed for approval of the visit. During his last visit he showed up to be an undisciplined and immature politician, because he did not stick to the agenda and the foreseen program. Based on the agreement on freedom of movement, in case someone uses inflammable and nationalistic rhetoric, we are forced to say ‘no’ to that certain official,” Murtezaj stated.

Deputy Minister Murtezaj added that in case the certain visit is at the interest of dialogue and promotion of peace, it shall be approved, but if they have information that this visit will raise tensions between the communities, then the institutions in charge will take the appropriate decision.

Threats against Gazeta Express chief editor condemned

(Klan Kosova)

Mapping Media Freedom has reacted following the threats against “Gazeta Express” chief editor and author of “Zona Express” show, Leonard Kërquki, who faced death threats after airing “Hunt in KLA” documentary, which mentions war crimes committed by Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) members.

Mapping Media Freedom published the articles speaking of threats against Kërquki, quoting the Association of Journalists of Kosovo (AJK), who also condemned the threats against this journalist.

Threats were also condemned by Head of the OSCE in Kosovo, as well as some of the Ambassadors of various countries in Prishtinë/Pristina.

Rashiti: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process will be reformatted

(Klan Kosova)

Political analyst Naim Rashiti spoke about dialogue with Serbia. Talking about this in Klan Kosova’s Info Magazine show, he said that this process will be reformatted after elections in Serbia, and that it will last long.

Rashiti also spoke about the meetings held between all political party leaders regarding demarcation of the border with Montenegro. As far as Tuesday’s meeting is concerned, regarding the joint draft-statement, Rashiti considers that this meeting was organised with delay because both parties expected they will fulfil their expectations, underlining that December is the deadline for this.

Rashiti said that none of the parties in these meetings are there to make peace, but to work on some of the key points for development of the state.

Hoxha: We sent a verbal note to Serbia about Thaçi’s arrest

(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)

Kosovo’s Justice Minister, Dhurata Hoxha, while reporting to the Committee on Legislation, spoke about the arrest of the Kosovo Police regional director in Mitrovica/Mitrovicë North, Nehat Thaçi, by Serbian authorities.

Hoxha said that the Ministry of Justice has sent a verbal note to Serbia asking for his release.

She also said that there was a hearing session yesterday for Nehat Thaçi, but that the ministry she runs has no other information regarding this process.

Meanwhile, most monitored broadcasters reported that three members of the Milovanovic family told the War Crimes Prosecution in Belgrade that Nehat Thaçi had not expelled them from their house.

Klokot/Kllokot mayor sentenced to 10-month probation

(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)

Klokot/Kllokot mayor Srecko Spasic has been sentenced on Wednesday to 10-month probation by the Basic Court in Gjilan/Gnjilane.

He was found guilty of committing the criminal offence, misuse of official duty or authority. The sentence will not be executed if the accused will not commit another criminal offence within a period of two years.