German Ambassador to Kosovo Jorn Rohde reacted to former EULEX Judge Malclom Simmons who reported Monday to members of the Committee on Legislation, Mandates, Immunity, Rules of Procedure of the Assembly and the Oversight of the Anti-Corruption Agency. during the years of EULEX in Kosovo.

Rohde is concerned why the Kosovo Assembly has given a platform to former EULEX judge Malcolm Simmons for what he says is Simmons disinformation campaign.

Simmons’s statements, the German ambassador called convincing refutations.

“EULEX’s very convincing and comprehensive denial of unfounded allegations. “I just wonder why the Assembly of Kosovo still offers former Judge Simmons a platform to continue this disinformation campaign,” the ambassador wrote on Twitter.

Through a video link, he said that EULEX aimed to remove from political life the persons he referred to as “big fish”, while presenting cases where, according to him, the aim was only punishment and not the administration of justice. In addition, Simmons said that very little has been done in detecting and investigating war crimes in Kosovo, although in 2014 he leaked documents, including information on Serb suspects and all personal data of Kosovo victims.

However, he said that at this stage I can not give detailed data, but if the commission decides to open a full investigation, it will provide details and documentation to support its claims.

Simmons said that when he discussed with EULEX why the war crimes investigations carried out by Serb suspects were not postponed, he was told that the Serbian authorities did not have the resources and the will to investigate them.

Very convincing and comprehensive #EULEX rebuttal of the unsubstaintiated allegations. I just wonder why the Kosovo Assembly @KuvendiRks still provides former judge Simmons with a platform to continue this disinformation campaign. https://t.co/wB3kOZQnWD

— Ambassador Jörn Rohde (@GermanAmbKOS) July 13, 2021

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Sport
July 13, 2021 – 00:03

DETAILS

Unable to be present at the handover ceremony of the state flag by the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani, to the Olympic team that will represent the Republic of Kosovo in the Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, addressed the athletes through a message.

Prime Minister Kurti told the Kosovo team that the responsibility they carry with them in Tokyo is very great, because they will face countries hundreds of times larger than Kosovo and a much longer tradition in sports.

“In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus was considered the home of the gods, created by the Olympic gods themselves. According to legend, the Titans, who were the old gods, fought with the new gods – the Olympians. “In that war, which took place to gain control of the world, the young people won – the Olympians”, said Prime Minister Kurti in the video message sent from Athens to Greece, where he is paying an official visit.

He told the athletes that the results so far make us all proud and despite the fact that it will be only our second participation in an Olympics, you have enabled us to believe even more in your performances.

Thanking them for their contribution and wishing success to everyone, Prime Minister Kurti told the representative team that although he will not be physically able to be with them in Tokyo, he and the whole of Kosovo will be close to them.

The word e full e Prime of republic the KOsOVa, Albin Create

Honorable President Mrs. Vjosa Osmani,

Honorable ministers of our government,

Dear athletes, coaches and sports workers,

Unable to be there with you today, I am addressing you from the country of origin of the ancient Olympic Games and host of the modern Olympic Games – from Greece, from Athens.

I am here for two international conferences and a series of official meetings.

Dear athletes and coaches,

Today we are celebrating your passion, work and sacrifice for representing Kosovo in sports. I have met some of you personally and your dedication to work is an example outside of sports.

It is not just your ability or talent in sports that should inspire us all – it is the extraordinary commitment and dedication, the efforts you make day by day to win.

Today, you will receive the flag of the state with which you will represent Kosovo in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The results you have achieved so far, make each of us proud, and despite the fact that we are marking only the second participation in the Olympics, you have enable us to believe even more in your performances.

The responsibility you carry with you in Tokyo is enormous. You will represent every citizen of Kosovo in front of countries hundreds of times bigger than Kosovo and with a much longer tradition in sports.

In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus was considered the home of the gods, created by the Olympic gods themselves. According to legend, the Titans, who were the old gods, fought with the new gods – the Olympians. In that war, which took place to gain control of the world, the young – the Olympians – won.

Likewise, we, too, marked our history with the gold medal of judo in Rio 2016 and showed the readiness and commitment we have in the sport. Therefore, it is not the participation in the Olympic Games that we are celebrating today, but it is your victory in which we all hope.

Although I will not be present in Tokyo to support you closely, allow me to thank you on behalf of every citizen of Kosovo for the effort you have made and the contribution you have made.

And to tell you that all of Kosovo will be behind you, following you through television and supporting you from afar, but wholeheartedly.

Many successes to each of you. Thank you. /Zeri.info

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The Kosovo Olympic Committee has presented today the uniform of the Kosovo Olympic team, which will participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

This uniform will be worn by players and coaches during the parade and official presentation of the Kosovo team in Tokyo.

On this occasion, the chairman of KOK, Ismet Krasniqi stated that the uniform contains Dardanian and Illyrian symbols, the Goddess on the throne and the Runner of Prizren.

Krasniqi added that the colors that make up the jersey are blue, dark blue and white.

Kosovo will be represented by 11 athletes in the Olympic Games “Tokyo 2020”.

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The director of the so-called Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia, Petar Petkovi., Will stay today and tomorrow to visit Kosovo.

His two-day visit to our country will take place with the permission of the Government of Kosovo, reports Zeri.info.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed for “Zeri” that they have received Petkovi kërkes’s request for a visit to Kosovo.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora (MFA) has approved the request for permission to visit the Republic of Kosovo for the Serbian official Petar Petkovi,, for 12-13 July 2021. The request was made based on the Agreement on official visits, signed in in 2014, in Brussels “, it is said in the response of the MFA for” Zeri “.

According to this permit, MFAJ says that Petkovi është is obliged to respect the protocol and the agenda, and at the same time to refrain from political statements, inciting language and rhetoric against Kosovo.

“Any violation of these rules will affect the MFA to reject the next requests from Serbia”, it is further stated in the response.

Earlier, the so-called Office for Kosovo announced that the director of this office, Petar Petkovic, will participate in an academy organized in the “House of Culture”, on the occasion of marking the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Municipality of Zvecan and will hold meetings with some Serb families in this area. /voice

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The Ministry of Health, based on data from the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo (NIPHK) has announced that since the beginning of vaccination have been given 253 thousand 858 doses of antiCOVID-19 vaccine.

According to the announcement, during the last 24 hours, no case of death has been recorded.

Full notice:

11 July 2021: The Ministry of Health, according to data from the National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, informs:

19 919 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the last 24 hours.

3. Since the beginning of vaccination in all cities of Kosovo have been given 253,858 doses of vaccine.

. To date, 64,276 citizens have been vaccinated with the second dose.

Out of 1,898 tests, 12 citizens tested positive for COVID-19 virus.

No deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours.

Today 13 citizens have recovered, while the total number of recovered is 105,457.

In total the number of active cases is 133.

Detailed data can be found at the link:

https://datastudio.google.com/…/2e546d77…/page/MT0qB

Keep the masks!

Respect the distance!

Maintain hygiene!

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German Ambassador to Belgrade Thomas Schieb does not think that the EU and the US are being lenient with the Kosovo side. He said that regardless of the result of the parliamentary elections in Germany in September, there will be no substantial changes in Germany’s policy towards Serbia.

Scheib disagreed with the journalist of the Serbian media “Kurir” (a medium close to the Serbian president, Aleksandar Vucic), when he asked him if the EU and the US are being lenient with Kosovo.

“We expect both sides to approach these negotiations constructively and we are clearly informing the authorities, both in Belgrade and in Pristina. Of course, it is important to have a certain level of mutual trust from both parties. “That is why it is good that President (Aleksandar) Vucic and Prime Minister (Albin) Kurti met in person,” Schieb said.

He stressed that it is important for both parties to respect the principle of agreement and implementation.

Asked about the possibility of Russia’s involvement in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, the German ambassador recalled that the United Nations has authorized the EU to mediate in the dialogue and stressed that the Americans confirmed their readiness to support this process under EU mediation. of.

“It would be good if positive signals also came from Moscow,” he said.

Schieb also referred to the emergence of many “non-papers” regarding the Western Balkans and stressed that Germany’s position is clear – there are no border changes because, as he said, this would create additional problems instead of solving the existing ones. which would result in dangerous destabilization of the region.

“Sometimes an emotionally driven discussion about so-called ‘non-papers’ of undetermined origin is appropriate to divert attention from important topics that represent a challenge, and that is to improve regional co-operation and reconciliation with surrounding countries,” he said. the German ambassador.

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The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, says that today the world remembers the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica Massacre, which according to her is the unprecedented barbarity of the genocidal forces of the Serbian Milosevic regime.

She emphasizes that in this 26th anniversary we share the pain of the mothers of Srebrenica together.

“The remains of the 19th killed at that time (along with over 8 thousand other Bosniaks) today will have a permanent address. A 16-year-old will be among those to be buried today, 26 years after the murder! Such barbaric acts must receive the judgment of justice, but also of history. Srebrenica is our fresh memory and lesson that unpunished crimes are the basis for their recurrence. No one knows the pain of Srebrenica better than Kosovo. Reçaku, Meja, Pokleku, Prekazi, as well as many other massacres in different parts of Kosovo, are part of the same pain and the same experience.

The Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, days ago adopted the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica, with which Kosovo condemns the genocide organized and committed by the genocidal forces of the Serbian regime of Milosevic. There is only one truth: genocide took place in Srebrenica. This must be accepted by everyone, this must be said by all, this must always be remembered! May the memory of the more than 8 thousand massacred in Srebrenica be eternal! ”Osmani wrote on Facebook. / Voice

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LDK member Melihate Tërmkolli has said that the Minister of Foreign Affairs Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz is unaware of the position she holds.

According to Termkolli, neither Serbia nor Europe is speaking against Kosovo worse than Gërvalla.

“Donika, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, as far as she is in this position, is definitely unaware of the position she holds, euphoric and above all to the detriment of the interests of Kosovo! Neither Serbia nor Europe are talking against Kosovo worse than our Minister! “Bad, very bad!”, Said Tërmkolli.

Termkolli’s statement comes after Gërvalla during her speech today at the Dubrovnik Forum said that the countries of the Western Balkans should not blame the EU for the mistakes they have made.

She also added that Mini-Schengen is just a trap and which according to her contradicts the EU. / Voice

The post Tërmkolli accusations against Gërvalla: Serbia is not talking as badly towards Kosovo as it does - Latest News first appeared on Kosovo Now.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti was received at a meeting by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens. On this occasion, Kurti said that Kosovo wants to build on the existing historical ties between the two peoples and to establish relations with Greece, as an important element for long-term regional stability.

According to the press release, Prime Minister Kurti said that Greece and Kosovo should strengthen their independent relations due to the long common history, the common goal of peace and security in the Balkans and the long common future.

He thanked for the support and constructive attitude towards our country, which Greece has shown especially in recent months, with the support given in favor of visa liberalization for the citizens of Kosovo and the commitment for Kosovo’s membership in international organizations.

Prime Minister Kurti demanded that Greece join the bloc of countries that have recognized Kosovo.

Prime Minister Kurti briefed his Greek counterpart on the achievements of the new government in Kosovo in the first 100 days, including good pandemic management. In this meeting, Prime Minister Mitsotakis reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to promoting and further strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the framework of promoting the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

During this meeting, they also talked about the increase of bilateral economic relations between Kosovo and Greece.

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The historic deal will normalize tensions between Balkan rivals but has angered Kosovar Serbs who oppose EU integration.

Thousands of demonstrators marched against the Serbian government to protest an agreement to normalize relations with breakaway Kosovo.

Flag-waving Serbs shouted “treason, betrayal” as they gathered in the capital, Belgrade, hours after the government’s unanimous approval on Monday, said Al-Jazeeras Aljosa Milenkovic of Belgrade.

Our correspondent said that many of the protesters see the deal, which allegedly would cede 12 percent of Serbian territory to Kosovo, as a “betrayal” of Serbia and want it to be withdrawn.

Up to 10,000 other Serbian protesters also gathered in the divided city of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo against the agreement, which could end years of tensions and put Balkan rivals on the path to EU membership.

This agreement is a big step forward. If implemented, it can mark a historic turning point for the two countries, but also for the entire region.

Guido Westerwelle Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany,

The Prime Ministers of Serbia and Kosovo reached a provisional agreement in Brussels on Friday that would be transferred to the leading power of Kosovo of Albanian origin over the rebellious Kosovar Serbs. In return, the Serb minority would be given extensive autonomy within Kosovo.

It also called for the two sides not to hinder each other as they seek possible membership in the EU.

After Serbia’s approval, the EU Executive Commission recommended on Monday that the bloc begin accession negotiations with Belgrade.

The Commission stated in a report that “Serbia has taken very significant steps towards a visible and sustainable improvement in relations with Kosovo”.

“This agreement is a big step forward. It can mean a historic turning point for both countries, but also for the entire region, if it is implemented, ”said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle at an EU meeting in Luxembourg.

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, said he would “congratulate and praise” both sides for their “unwavering determination” and hope that the deal would “bring a better future and lasting stability to the region”.

Almost 100 countries – including the USA and 22 of the 27 EU states – have recognized Kosovo, which unilaterally declared its independence in 2008.

“Cradle of Serbia”

On Sunday, the parliament in the Kosovar capital Pristina also voted for a resolution in support of the agreement.

But it is not clear how the agreement is to be implemented on the ground in northern Kosovo, where Serbian hardliners vehemently reject any authority of the ethnic Albanians of Kosovo and regard the region as part of Serbia.

Kosovo is seen by nationalists as the medieval cradle of the Serbian state and the Serbian religion.

Serbia has also vowed never to recognize Kosovo’s independence, and Serbian officials insist that the latest deal does not mean Belgrade has de facto recognized Kosovo’s statehood.

The influential Serbian Orthodox Church also condemned the agreement on Monday as a “clear surrender” of “our most important territory” and called on the country’s legislators to reject it.

The church said in a statement that the deal amounts to an “indirect and silent but still de facto recognition” of the Kosovo state.

Serbia gave up control of most of Kosovo in 1999 when NATO chased its troops out of the region after a three-month bombing raid.

The end of the division of Kosovo between the Albanian majority and the Serb-controlled north, which makes up around a fifth of the country, is an essential prerequisite for Serbia’s further progress on the way to EU membership.

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