Albanian community association “Movement” is organising a protest tomorrow in Colmar, France against the detention of AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj on an Interpol warrant issued by Serbia.
In a statement to the media, the association said Haradinaj’s detention is political and calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
The French Embassy in Kosovo announced in a statement that the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, is scheduled to meet today Kosovo’s Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj. The meeting is expected to focus on the detention of the AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj by French authorities on an arrest warrant issued by Serbia. Kosovo authorities are making efforts to secure Haradinaj’s release.
The head of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) parliamentary group Pal Lekaj said today at the Assembly session that the situation in the Balkans and Kosovo is not calm. Commenting on the actions of Kosovo institutions to prevent the Belgrade-Mitrovica train from reaching its destination, Lekaj said that the government should show the same determination with regards to the Mitrovica North wall instead of fighting for who will take more credit for sending the Kosovo Police units to the north.
Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said at today’s government meeting that Kosovo is determined to enforce legal and constitutional order throughout its territory. He said there has been recently intensification of provocations from Serbia but underlined that all Kosovo institutions are well-prepared and coordinated to protect stability of Kosovo.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, spoke to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci about the recent events regarding the Serbian train that was bound for Kosovo’s north. Koha Ditore contacted Mogherini’s spokesperson, Maja Kocijancic, to get more on the conversation. “She [Mogherini] stressed the importance of the calming of the situation and the need to continue dialogue for the needs of the people.
The recent developments in Kosovo, from the detention of AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj by French authorities on an arrest warrant issued by Serbia to the Serbian train that tried to enter Kosovo without permission of its authorities were part of discussion in today’s meeting of Albanian parliament’s commission on foreign affairs. The chair of the commission, Arta Dade, said a special session of the Assembly of Albania will be called to discuss the situation in Kosovo. “Events in Kosovo are concerning and damaging for stability in the region,” said Dade.
Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli said today that the situation regarding Serbia’s train was an “artificial provocation” and urged the people of Kosovo to have more faith in their institutions. “The situation is serious but people should feel safe. They should not feel threatened. We will not allow Serbia’s walls and trains in Kosovo,” Veseli said after the meeting of the Kosovo Assembly presidency. He also said that the Mitrovica North wall will be taken down. “I am not sure whether on 1 or 17 February but it will most definitely be demolished,” Veseli said. “The wall is artificial.
President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, met today the US Vice President Joe Biden for whom Thaci said was an “inspiration.” “The commitment of the United States and the personal dedication of Vice President Biden for peace in Kosovo, the region and beyond, remains permanent,” Thaci wrote on his Facebook account. He said he was convinced that the new US administration under Donald Trump would continue support to Kosovo.
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, said that he expresses concern and disagreement of the government of Kosovo regarding Ramush Haradinaj’s arrest in France.
He said that the government considers that Serbian arrest warrants for Kosovo citizens are illegal, politically motivated and with clear tendencies to induce tensions and conflicts as well as affect processes in the region and further.
Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa said detention of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj on an arrest warrant issued by Serbia was “unacceptable.” “I wish to express the concern of the government over this arrest on a political and hostile warrant issued by Serbia. These are unlawful and unjust act aimed at provoking tensions and blocking Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic perspective,” said Mustafa at today’s cabinet meeting. He added that all government departments are making efforts to secure Haradinaj’s release as soon as possible.