Gervailla: EU measures towards Kosovo dangerous message

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Donika Grovalla, the measures warned by the European Union over Kosovo, have called them unnecessary.

According to her, it is not about blocking EU funds, but about temporary suspension.

The first of Kosovo diplomacy said such messages are dangerous and could create the impression of Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, that it could continue destabilising not only in Kosovo, but also in the region.

These comments were made after the opening campaign ceremony “Trust with hearts and not with weapons”, organised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“The measures that have been undertaken under the European Union's efforts to access the situation in northern Kosovo are measures which the EU views as reasonable. We think such measures are unnecessary because it is important that in such a situation we are in, the message is clearly sent and with no possibility of misunderstandings to those who have created the riots in the northern part of Kosovo. Personally, I think such messages are dangerous because they can create an impression on the Serbian president, Vuciq that he can continue in the same way to destabilise not only Kosovo, but all the neighbours around him”, she stressed.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Donika Grovalla considers these measures imply temporary suspension of EU funds, not deadlock.

“There is no jam of funds, there is temporary suspension of funds, and the EU has made it clear that these are measures which are at the moment and which are of course irreversible”, she said.

Asked whether there was co-ordination with the U.S. for declaring “Civil Protection” and “North Brigade” as terrorist organisations, it did not want to speak in this respect, but said organisations exercising terror over citizens and institutions have no place in Kosovo.

The legal baza is there, and we think that no terrorist organisation of any ethnic origin or any criminal component should be allowed to operate in the Republic of Kosovo. We have pledged the rule of law in every corner of the country, and there are terror-exerting organisations against the citizens and institutions of the Republic, said Minister Gervala.

During yesterday's day, the Government of Kosovo, “Civil Protection” and “North Brigade” has been declared a terrorist organisation. The decision has voted in favour of the entire government cabinet, except for Minister for Kthim and Community Nenad Rassic.

While facing this decision, the US State Department has reacted, which said this decision was made by Kosovo executive without co-ordination.

The European Commission has warned a number of measures against Kosovo and will include suspending the Kosovo funding programme, suspending continued support for procurement and signing contracts, suspending participation in high-level events, suspending bilateral visits, and Kosovo's proposal for the investment framework for the Western Balkans that will not be prosecuted at this moment.

While two days after the European Commission introduced the European Parliament to punitive measures for Kosovo, Prime Minister Albin Kurti presented an 8-point plan for “the suspension of the situation in the country's north” in Pristina.