The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruari O’Conell, writes in an opinion piece today that the people of Kosovo have achieved a lot just a few years after the conflict, and especially after the declaration of independence. “Now, Kosovo faces major challenges. How the leadership of Kosovo choses to face these challenges will greatly affect the future of Kosovo. My message to the leaders of the opposition parties is clear. The United Kingdom is a friend of Kosovo. We do not support parties but we support the people and institutions of Kosovo.

In a joint statement, opposition parties – Vetevendosje, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) – said that reports that the prosecution is conducting investigations at the Kosovo Assembly hall following another use of teargas are ridiculous. According to the opposition, these actions are aimed at intimidating opposition MPs and not at actually resolving the present “abnormal” situation.

Opposition MP from Vetevendosje Albin Kurti Kurti threw teargas today in the Assembly in an effort to try and prevent the ruling coalition MPs from passing legislation. Earlier in the day, the opposition MPs used whistles to prevent the session and failing to do so, Kurti resorted to teargas.  Several MPs sought medical attention from the teargas exposure while the opposition pledged to continue blocking the work of the Assembly until the government leaders withdraw their signatures in the agreement with Serbia establishing the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities.

Two paintings, depicting Albanian historic events, displayed in the Kosovo Assembly have been unveiled by members of the opposition parties. The paintings were originally displayed at the Assembly upon its opening but covered soon after for concerns they were offensive to non-Albanian communities in Kosovo.

The President of the Assembly, Kadri Veseli, during a round-table on the current approaches of the government and the opposition, stated today that the behavior of the opposition in the Assembly is a violation of the rules of this institution. “We have laws and Constitution, and also the Assembly has its own rules. The blockade is against all regulations and laws,” Veseli said. According to him, the opposition through its behavior is also blocking the adoption of many laws that are important for the people of Kosovo.

Kosovo Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli ordered a half-hour break in today’s Assembly session after members of the opposition prevented the start of the session by standing around the speaker’s stand. Head of Vetevendosje parliamentary group Glauk Konjufca said there can be no regular session until Prime Minister Isa Mustafa comes back and withdraws signature from the agreement with Serbia establishing the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities.

Despite the decision to boycott plenary sessions of the Kosovo Assembly and the meetings of the Assembly presidency, opposition parties are taking part in the meetings of the parliamentary commissions. Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) MP Pal Lekaj said opposition legislators are performing their duties in the parliamentary commissions. At the same time, he said his party has not yet decided whether it will take part in the upcoming session of the Assembly on Thursday.

As announced, opposition parties – Vetevendosje, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) – boycotted today’s meeting of the Kosovo Assembly presidency. However, the other members of the presidency did set the dates for the upcoming Assembly sessions for 1 and 2 October. Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli said that the Assembly is the forum where opposition parties should voice their concerns. He said that the reporting of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa to the MPs on the recent agreements with Belgrade has been set aside due to Mustafa’s visit to New York.

Opposition parties MPs from Vetevendosje, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) walked out of today’s Assembly session in protest of the parliamentary commission’s proposal regarding the petition against increase of electricity price. Glauk Konjufca from Vetevendosje said the commission dropped two items from the petition while Donika Kadaj-Bujupi said she was not permitted to take the floor and raise concerns about the issue.