• Thaci: Get together and ratify state of emergency (RTK)
• Government does not agree with Thaci’s proposal for state of emergency (Koha)
• Veliu: State of emergency should be declared (RTK)
• Kurti and Varhelyi agree to work in solidarity with each other (RTK)
• Mustafa claims virus is spreading rapidly, urges president to declare state of emergency (Express)
• Haradinaj on proposal for state of emergency (Indeksonline)
• Haxhiu: Regrettable if Thaci wants primary role in these circumstances (media)
• Number of infected with COVID-19 reaches 19 (media)
• Apostolova calls on Kurti to remove tariff (media)

Thaci: Get together and ratify state of emergency (RTK)

The President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci confirmed that he has signed the decree for declaration of the state of emergency in Kosovo, after the spread of COVID-19.

The decree will be sent to the Assembly, and will be in power only after being endorsed by the parliament.

“Based on my constitutional duties as President, after tonight’s meeting w/ the Security Council of Kosovo, I signed a decree to declare the State of Emergency amid the situation created by the #COVID19 outbreak. I call on the Parliament to get united & to ratify it,” Thaci wrote on his Twitter account.

“I will propose to the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo the decree on the state of emergency in Kosovo. The state of emergency involves the full and maximum mobilization of the Kosovo Security Force," Thaci said at a press conference earlier last night after the meeting of the National Security Council.

Government does not agree with Thaci’s proposal for state of emergency (Koha)

The government of Kosovo considers the proposal of the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci to declare state of emergency in Kosovo, an extreme and unnecessary measure that can interfere with the adequate measures undertaken by the government and Kosovo institutions.

After the meeting of the National Security Council, Haki Abazi, Principal Deputy of the Prime Minister said at a press conference which proceeded that of the President Hashim Thaci that “as a result, the Prime Minister is not in accordance with the extreme measure of declaring state of emergency, proposed tonight by the President.”

Abazi also spoke about the flow of the meeting. “It was reported about the engagements of each ministry and also about the actions undertaken at the level of the government all the way to the municipal level on addressing the issued related to CoronaVirus,” he said.

He said the situation is being constantly monitors by the institutions, and added that Kosovo is the first country in the region which shut down the schools and undertook measures.

“The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and that of Infrastructure are in coordination also about the issue of our citizens who got stuck at different states of Europe and elsewhere,” Abazi said.

Veliu: State of emergency should be declared (RTK)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) supported the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci to declare state of emergency in Kosovo, as a measure to prevent spread of coronavirus.

“The situation in Kosovo is serious. The number of the affected is increasing,” said Agim Veliu, Kosovo’s Interior Minister and deputy leader of the LDK.

“Institutions should undertake all required measures in order to prevent this pandemic,” he added. “I personally am for undertaking all the measures, be them extreme, as they are being called, to protect us from this danger threat to the entire world, but also to Kosovo,” he said.

Asked if he believes that the state of emergency should be declared in Kosovo, Veliu responded ‘yes certainly.’

“The issue is not whether we are with the President or the Prime Minister on the state of emergency. Competing with each other would have been the greatest mistake at this situation,” he said.

Kurti and Varhelyi agree to work in solidarity with each other (RTK)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti had on Tuesday a telephone conversation with the EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi.

“I had a positive phone call with EU Commissioner @OliverVarhelyi today; we agreed that in times of difficulty we #Europeans must act in solidarity with each other. I informed him that the Government of #Kosova is doing everything possible to tackle the #COVID19 virus,” Kurti wrote on his Twitter account.

Mustafa claims virus is spreading rapidly, urges president to declare state of emergency (Express)

Isa Mustafa, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has requested from the President Hashim Thaci to declare state of emergency in the country, after confirmation of 16 cases affected by COVID-19.

Mustafa wrote on his Facebook profile that Kosovo institutions should communicate among each other as never before and that time should not be wasted on declaring state of emergency.

“We must act as quickly as possible also with state of emergency, because we are facing a disaster that is spreading throughout entire Kosovo territory. Why wait longer? The Constitution has spoken clearly!” Mustafa wrote.

Haradinaj on proposal for state of emergency (Indeksonline)

AAK leader and former Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj told the news website that he has yet to decide whether or not he will support Kosovo President Hashim Thaci's proposal for the Assembly to declare a state of emergency.

Haradinaj said he would consider the arguments and if they stand he will vote in favor of the proposal. "I have not seen the arguments yet," Haradinaj said. He added that they will decide on the matter at 13:00.

Haxhiu: Regrettable if Thaci wants primary role in these circumstances (media)

Kosovo's Minister of Justice and senior member of Vetevendosje, Albulena Haxhiu, criticised President Hashim Thaci's proposal for the Assembly to declare a state of emergency.

Haxhiu said the government has undertaken all necessary actions and that it was praised by both the people and foreign embassies.

"Why should a state of emergency be declared when the situation is under control and manageable?" Haxhiu said. "It is regrettable if the President wants a primary role even in these circumstances. This does not help the situation, it is quite the opposite!"

Number of infected with COVID-19 reaches 19 (media)

All news websites report that the number of persons infected with the coronavirus has now reached 19.

Health Minister Arben Vitia told a press conference on Wednesday that the situation of the affected by COVID-19 is stable, except for the 77 year old who is being assisted with oxygen therapy time after time.

He also informed that the process of contracting protection equipment to be used by medical personnel has concluded. Also there is protective equipment for other servants such as police, customs, etc. he informed.

It was also said that the World Health Organisation has allocated seven million Euros to strengthen supplying at all levels, as well as 7.9 million Euros for the measures that will be undertaken against COVID-19.

According to Vitia, with strengthening of capacities and vacating of some clinics for COVID-19 cases, 500 beds are ready in case of a flux of patients, and also there are 150 volunteers ready to integrate in the service.

Apostolova calls on Kurti to remove tariff (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met on Wednesday with EU Head of Office in Kosovo Nataliya Apostolova to discuss the situation created by the coronavirus and the government's measures.

Apostolova offered the EU's support and said they were trying to raise funds to help Kosovo's healthcare system to best manage the situation.

Apostolova also repeated the position of the EU Office that the gradual removal of the import tariff on Serbia would be the first reasonable step.