Arberi

Presidency: Regrettably the way the incident in Skopje was handled at the Kurti Mickoski conference

Vjosa Osmani at the press conference

Photo: Driton Pacharada

The Presidency of Kosovo has assessed that it is regrettable the way the incident was handled at Skopje Airport, at the press conference of Prime Minister Albin Kurti with his Macedonian counterpart Hristijan Mickoski.

According to the Presidency, she contributed even more to the propaganda against Kosovo. 

"The way the incident against the Republic of Kosovo was handled in Skopje during yesterday's press conference is regrettable, because it has contributed even more to the propaganda against the Republic of Kosovo. What happened at the airport in Skopje was a clear violation of international rules recognized and applied worldwide, therefore the Presidency expects to be notified of the measures taken regarding these violations, as it was emphasized in the note of protest directed by the Republic of Kosovo", says the reaction of the Presidency. 

Kurti, in this conference, said that the details of the case will be clarified by the official report that will be drawn up. 

"Without a doubt, it was a difficult experience for President Vjosa Osmani on August 2 at the Skopje airport, especially since she was with her family and two little girls. The authorities of North Macedonia, the heads of state here have expressed their regret and there will be an official report that will clarify this issue in full and in detail, so that we understand what exactly happened, but also so that it will never happen again. in such situations", stated Kurti. 

But in the reaction of the Presidency it is stated that "the reports on the unprecedented incident at the Skopje Airport prepared by the Presidency and the Kosovo Police are already finalized and accessible, and have been for several days now". 

"From these reports, it is clearly understood that there is no request for deviation or circumvention of the rules, but on the contrary, respect and application of conventions and customary international law, and above all, respect for the Republic of Kosovo," the Presidency's response states.

Further in the reaction, it is said that the Presidency appreciates the expression of regret by the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, but it is emphasized that the institutions of North Macedonia have not addressed the issues raised in the note of protest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, in which they asked for the fastest and most complete clarifications about the incident at Skopje Airport in which President Vjosa Osmani was involved.

"While we appreciate the expression of regret by the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, unfortunately, until now, at no time have the institutions of North Macedonia addressed the issues raised in the protest note related to the violation of customary international law in relation to the Republic of Kosovo, but on the contrary, openly and without any hesitation they have accepted such a violation. For this reason, additional reports and investigations are not needed for any factual situation, because they are completely irrelevant before the public acceptance of the institutions of North Macedonia that such a rule was deliberately imposed, despite the clear requirements of international law," the reaction says. .

Last week, the Presidency announced that Vjosa Osmani faced provocations from the authorities during the passage to the Skopje airport. According to them, she was asked to scan the phone contrary to the rules. The authorities in Macedonia reasoned that the procedures followed are standard and that the same applies to all travelers, including those who use the VIP area.

 

Full reaction:

The President of the Republic of Kosovo has NEVER asked to exceed or violate the procedures, but respect international rules, as is done all over the world.

The list of countries visited by President Osmani during her term as President includes the USA, Albania, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Panama, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Vatican, etc. All these countries, most of which he has visited several times during his mandate, without exception, have fully respected the international rules regarding the treatment of the head of state, and therefore of the state itself.

According to the Constitution of Kosovo, the president of the country represents the state internally and externally. Despite the extremely strict security rules at the airports of the vast majority of the above-mentioned countries, they accept the president of a country as the highest representative of the state and never ask to scan even a personal bag, let alone a phone. a 'full body scan' is required, because this, among other things, would mean that they are treating the head of state - thus the state - as a potential risk for terrorism.

In every country we travel to, it is not the President who demands such treatment. This treatment is automatically provided by host countries based on the notification made by our embassies of the president's travel and based on customary international law (binding on all countries). As can be seen from the above-mentioned list, this has been fully respected even by states that have not yet recognized Kosovo. That this procedure is respected every time and everywhere, President Osmani has also confirmed with her counterparts with whom she talked these days.

The President of the Republic of Kosovo demands respect for the state she represents, that is, the Republic of Kosovo, and will continue to do so with determination in accordance with international rules and principles that regulate relations between states.

The reports on the unprecedented incident at the Skopje Airport prepared by the Presidency and the Kosovo Police are now finalized and accessible, and have been for several days now. From these reports it is clearly understood that there is no request for deviation or circumvention of the rules, but on the contrary, respect and application of conventions and customary international law, and above all, respect for the Republic of Kosovo.

The way the incident against the Republic of Kosovo was handled in Skopje during yesterday's press conference is regrettable, because it has contributed even more to the propaganda against the Republic of Kosovo. What happened at the Skopje airport was a clear violation of international rules recognized and applied worldwide, therefore the Presidency expects to be informed about the measures taken regarding these violations, as it was emphasized in the note of protest directed by the Republic of Kosovo.

While we appreciate the expression of regret by the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, unfortunately, until now, at no time have the institutions of North Macedonia addressed the issues raised in the protest note related to the violation of customary international law in relationship with the Republic of Kosovo, but on the contrary, openly and without any hesitation they have accepted such a violation. For this, additional reports and investigations are not needed for any factual situation, because they are completely irrelevant before the public acceptance of the institutions of North Macedonia that such a rule was deliberately imposed, despite the clear requirements of international law. 

The Presidency of the Republic has handled this incident only in an inter-institutional manner and without making it public, in order to preserve the relations between the two states, until the moment when a propaganda of unprecedented proportions has started against the President, in which case the Presidency was forced to respond to the great interest of the media.

As has been said in previous reactions, President Osmani throughout her political career, and in particular during her mandate as President of the country, has contributed to the development and deepening of positive relations with North Macedonia. However, she cannot accept, in any way, the mudslinging of the Republic of Kosovo. This situation can easily be overcome if there is political will from official Skopje.