Albulena Haxhiu, a Vetevendosje MP and chair of the Kosovo Assembly’s committee on legislation, argues in her opinion piece that the five-page document on the formation of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the agreement on telecommunications, the energy and the Iber Bridge, show that Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, Deputy PM Hashim Thaci and chief negotiator Edita Tahiri “are either so corrupt that they cannot say NO to anything that is presented to them or they are extremely ignorant”.

KTV editor-in-chief Adriatik Kelmendi writes in his opinion piece that in order to break the civic skepticism and present itself as a serious alternative, the opposition bloc should urgently create a shadow government that would provide alternative solutions/projects/ideas on government matters and individuals that would run the respective ministries and compare their expertise and management skills with the current heads of government sectors. “This would put an end to the dilemma that the opposition will ultimately fall apart in a fight over government positions”.

Russia’s UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin, complained about the presence of Kosovo representatives at a counter-terrorism summit organised by the United States on Tuesday, saying the UN building was under the “command” of US President Barack Obama. ”They (Kosovo officials) are sitting in the hall together with other UN members,” Churkin told reporters. “It is not correct, of course. To hold such meetings on UN premises means they have no respect for the UN ... this is beyond UN rules,” said the Russian envoy.

Removal of the “Peace Park” barricade on the main bridge over the River Iber which divides northern and southern Mitrovica, as well its making functional for free movement, is part of the agreement for the freedom of movement which was reached between Pristina and Belgrade in Brussels, mediated by the European Union.

Opinion piece by Andrea Lorenzo Capussela

Some people talk about eggs. These oval objects are the product of the ass of a domestic animal that can be eaten, cooked. Eggs too can be eaten, also raw. They can be cooked in many ways, including in boiling water. This liquid boils at 100 degrees, at sea level. It boils at a little less than that in Kosovo, wherepressure is lower: 98 degrees maybe. But whether or not 98 is enough to cook an egg is not, surprisingly, what those people talk about.

Kosovo Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli in a meeting with Vatican’s apostolic delegate Juliusz Janusz spoke about relations between Kosovo and the Holy See. Archbishop Janusz said the Holy See recognizes the new reality in Kosovo and supports positive progress. The issue of Kosovo’s membership in UNESCO was also discussed and Archbishop Janusz said the Holy See has welcomed the joint letter of Kosovo religious communities urging the Vatican to support UNESCO bid.

The government of the Republic of Kosovo issued a press release condemning the violent acts conducted today by opposition MPs at the session of the Assembly, where the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, was briefing MPs and citizens of the Republic of Kosovo regarding the agreements reached in Brussels. “The Government of the Republic of Kosovo considers that everyone has an obligation to refrain from acts of violence and to avoid actions that exceed the democratic opposition format which harm the interests of the Republic of Kosovo.

Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga condemned today’s attack on Prime Minister Isa Mustafa during the Kosovo Assembly session. “President Jahjaga considers this attack to be unacceptable and in contradiction with the spirit of proper democracy, with our endeavours to strengthen the institutions of Republic of Kosovo and values which we are building. Such ugly acts hinder the proper public debate and curtail the trust of our citizens in institutions of the country.

The level of corruption in Kosovo has continued to rise, said Kosovo think tank Fol based on the results of a poll it recently conducted. The most serious problem for the respondents is unemployment, followed by corruption and government’s performance, the poll further found. 42.2% of the people interviewed said they often bribe public officials in exchange for a service. Kosovo prosecutor, Drita Hajdari, said involvement of judges and prosecutors in corruption is highly concerning and appealed to the civil society and media to help fight it.

The news site reports that a large number of children from Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) communities do not receive adequate education. The NGO Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians launched a campaign titled “Come and register” in order to raise awareness on children registration in schools. The campaign will last until 16 June next year, and it is supported also by Kosovo’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.