29 radio stations in Kosovo are expected to be shut down by the end of the year after failing to express interest for extension of operating license. Financial constraints are the main reason behind the anticipated closure of radio stations. The head of the Independent Media Commission, Adnan Merovci, expressed his regret over the closure of the radio stations, most of which are local.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama during an official visit to Slovenia criticized the EU for not relaxing visa procedures for the people of Kosovo and said he hoped the border demarcation with Montenegro would not affect the EU’s decision. Rama said it is shameful for the EU that the people of Kosovo are the only ones that cannot move freely like the rest in Europe. He stressed that the Albanian government strongly supports dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and that recognition of Kosovo would not only benefit Serbia but would also facilitate cooperation processes.
The German Embassy in Pristina through a press statement called for a peaceful, democratic and constructive debate during tomorrow’s Assembly session. "Given the recent events and the next session of the Assembly, we call for a peaceful, democratic and constructive debate,” notes the statement. The statement also stresses that everyone has the right to peaceful protests. “However, threats or use of violence to intimidate political opponents and to influence debates is something unacceptable.
Kosovo Assembly MP from Vetëvendosje movement Albin Kurti, announced for the 1 September a peaceful pan-national protest against demarcation. He said that this protest will take place because “we cannot allow legitimization of treachery at the Assembly.”
The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, said on Wednesday that the issue of border demarcation is a bilateral issue between Kosovo and Montenegro and that it is right that the Kosovo Assembly will decide whether to ratify the agreement. “No-one has asked Kosovo to change border with Montenegro. No-one has forced Kosovo to give up land. The agreement confirms the current border; demarcation is about setting out where the border is, not where it ‘should be’. But Kosovo is a Sovereign, Independent State, It is your responsibility.
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) through a press statement declared that they will attend a meeting called by the Kosovo Assembly member, Ramiz Kelmendi, to discuss the border demarcation deal with Montenegro. “We see this meeting as yet another opportunity for the representatives of state institutions to admit they made some mistakes in the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro. The only way out of this is to revise and correct the agreement.
The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, through a press statement said today that Kosovo government leadership is violating the Constitution by putting pressure on MPs to vote the border demarcation deal. “Kosovo’s president, prime minister and speaker of the Assembly are violating the Constitution by pressuring the MPs to vote the demarcation deal with Montenegro. Kosovo will have its borders, without taking or giving away any territory.
The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jean-Claude Schlumberger, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, today condemned last night’s attack on the premises of Radio Television Kosovo (RTK) in Pristina. “I am appalled by the attack on RTK, particularly at the time when there were still people working inside the building. This appears to be an act of intimidation and I condemn it in the strongest terms. It’s an attack on an important public institution and on freedom of expression,” said Ambassador Schlumberger.
Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi through a press statement condemned the attack on the premises of the public broadcaster RTK on Monday night. He said the attack on RTK is an attack against freedom of speech. “I call on all representatives of political parties to protect the freedom of speech. I also urge the relevant authorities to find the perpetrators of this ugly act and bring them to justice,” Thaçi said.
The government of Kosovo through a press statement condemned the attack on the premises of the public broadcaster – the Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) – on Monday evening. “The government of Kosovo believes that this is an attack against free speech and against all media in Kosovo. The government invites state authorities to shed light on this case and bring the perpetrators of this act to justice.