Franco-German Envoys Press Kosovo on Special Court (Balkan Insight)
German and French envoys are adding to diplomatic pressure on Kosovo not to try to stop the new Specialist Chambers – which will try former Kosovo guerrillas – from coming into operation.
A joint German-French delegation met Kosovo officials on Wednesday to voice concern about recent failed attempts by Kosovo MPs to revoke the law establishing the Special Court, set up to try Kosovo Albanian war crimes.
Germany's Envoy for South-Eastern Europe, Turkey and the EFTA States, Christina Hellbach, and the head of the French foreign ministry's Western Balkans Department, Thomas Bertin, are in Kosovo for a two-day joint visit on January 10 and 11.
“The visit takes place against the background of concerns in Berlin and Paris about recent attempts to abolish the law on the Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office,” the German embassy said.
On Wednesday, the delegation met President Hashim Thaci, Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj and opposition Vetevendosje MPs Albin Kurti and Glauk Konjufca.
On Thursday, meetings with civil society are planned. All the meetings are being held away from the media.