Serbian media last night quoted the statement of the Government of Serbia on the CEFTA meeting held in Pristina last night. The statement reads:
Justice Minister Nela Kuburovic on Wednesday denied claims of the authorities in Pristina that the Serbian authorities were not cooperating in the investigation into the murder of Kosovo Serb political leader Oliver Ivanovic.
She said that Belgrade has been persistently replying to Pristina’s demands and has been waiting for months to get information and evidence.
The President of the European Movement Rada Trajkovic told N1 on Wednesday that Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic "uses Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija to solve important state issues or abuses them to hide weakness and the loss of his authority in the international community."
The European Union has said Pristina’s decision to raise import taxes on goods from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina in response to what it feels is Serbia’s destructive behaviour, was unexpected and the bloc has demanded an immediate explanation of the move, media reported on Wednesday.
The 10 percent higher import taxes were imposed on milk and milk products, water, biscuits, construction materials and fruit juices.
Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic announced on Wednesday that he expected another country to withdraw its recognition of Kosovo.
B92 later learned, and it has in the meantime been confirmed, that recognition of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo has been withdrawn by the Union of the Comoros - a small island state in the Indian Ocean that recognized Kosovo in 20009.
Previously, Dacic said that Pristina is describing the withdrawals of Kosovo's recognition as lies and defamation, because it "hurts."
Serbian media reported on fires and burglaries on the property of returnees in Kosovo. Belgrade-based daily Blic reported that in the village of Zac near Istok, parts of the forest were burned due to the fire that spread from surrounding fields. The daily added that attacks on the property of Serbian returnees in Kosovo were recorded in the village of Novake near Prizren.
During the weekend, all Serbian media quoted a statement from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) in Kosovo, where it was said that the situation is concerning and that the practice of usurpation of the property continues.
The Ministry listed, as an example, the Church of St. John the Baptist and the Holy Paraskeva, which are no longer found in the local cadastre documents in Pec as the property of the SPC, it was published on the website of the Russian Ministry.
Kosovo Assembly session dedicated to Belgrade-Pristina dialogue started with half an hour delay, and according to the RTV KIM translation in the Serbian language is not provided.
Serbian journalists covering the session were told there is no translation because Serb MPs are not present.
Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric has announced that at a joint session of the Government of Serbia and all representatives of Serbian institutions in Kosovo, will be approved ''the most comprehensive package of assistance for the Serbs in Kosovo'', emphasizing that initiative for the joint session came from President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, reports portal NMagazin, quoting Belgrade based TV Prva.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK, Mr. Zahir Tanin, condemns the incident in Istog/Istok municipality which took place yesterday when two buses transporting Serb pilgrims were stoned.
“Such acts are unacceptable and competent authorities should investigate the case and bring perpetrators to justice,” SRSG Tanin stresses.
He reminds all of the fundamental rights to freedom of movement and freedom of religion.