Over three thousand people gathered today in Deçan/Dečani to protest against the decision of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo, which recognizes the property right to Deçan/Dečani Monastery property for over 24 hectares of land. The protest, organized by Deçan/Dečani mayor Rasim Selmanaj, and supported by all political forces of the municipality, ended peacefully. Selmanaj said at the protest that they will continue to protest in the future against this decision which according to him was illegal.

The European Parliament will hold today the first debate on the proposal of the European Commission for removal of visas for Kosovo. The European Commission will initially present its arguments, then the report which has to undergo Parliament procedures will be drafted. Despite the fact that majority of the European Parliament support removal of visas for Kosovo, the procedure to travel without visas this summer might not be reached.

Representatives of Kosovo Serbs at the Assembly claim that there is no reason not to vote the agreement for the demarcation of the border with Montenegro. According to Kosovo Assembly MP from the Serbian List, Nenad Rašić, this would open way to the process of visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens. Rašić told Radio Free Europe that after the liberalization of visas, Kosovo Serbs, no matter where they live, will be interested for the Kosovo passports.

The president of the Kosovo Judicial Council, Nehat Idrizi, told Radio Free Europe that the Basic Court in northern Mitrovica is expected to become operational by beginning of September this year. According to Idrizi, this court will function according to Kosovo laws. He said the vacancy for recruiting staff is already open, but stressed that the employees will be mainly those who have worked so far in the so-called parallel courts.

During his visit to Kosovo, the European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, met also with the President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi, and said during this meeting that there is still work to be done on the rule of law. Thaçi on the other hand stressed that Kosovo’s vision and goal is the European perspective.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, said that he is very happy and proud that Kosovo managed to become an UEFA member. Mustafa, who happens to be in Budapest as well, said that Kosovo football will soon become FIFA member. Below find Mustafa’s complete statement:

“Dear friends,

I feel happy and proud that our state just reached a culminant, historical success.

The Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) chairman in Drenas/Glogovac branch, Izet Ibrahimi, has resigned from the party today. Along with the resignation of Ibrahim, also the council members of NISMA in Drenas/Glogovac, gave irrevocable resignation from the party. The resignation notes that NISMA branch in Drenas/Glogovac disagrees with the decision of this party to enter a coalition with the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK).

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci during a visit to Meja, Gjakove/Djakovica to mark the Day of the Missing Persons in Kosovo, 27 April, said the wounds of the war are still not closed in Kosovo. “We feel the anger of every family member about the slow process for finding the fate of the missing persons. The government has shown concern for the martyrs, war veterans and victims of sexual violence. Gaping wounds remain because of not finding the missing persons,” Thaci said.

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci welcomed today's police operation against corruption and organized crime in Kosovo. “I welcome and strongly support the action of the national and international rule of law authorities. The fight against corruption and organized crime is the key to building a democratic state, the key to our future in Europe. I expect from all those involved in judicial cases to fully cooperate with the police and prosecution,” Thaci wrote on his Facebook page.

A group of people from Rudare village, close to Zvecan, is heading by vehicle to Jarinje, at the border crossing between Kosovo and Serbia, to protest against the announced decision of the government of Kosovo that from 18 April, individuals who possess illegal ID documents, issued by the illegal structures of Serbia in Kosovo, will not be allowed to enter Kosovo.

Mayors of the northern municipalities as well as mayors of the so-called municipalities that function as part of Serbia, also joined these protesters.