Haxhiu calls for institutional coordination following Special Court ruling

Following the Special Court’s ruling against former KLA leaders, the need for unity and institutional coordination regarding future actions has emerged in Kosovo. Acting President Albulena Haxhiu has called on institutions and political entities to put divisions and mutual accusations behind them.

According to Haxhiu, Kosovo needs a common position and coordination of the steps that may be taken going forward during this period. She said discussions on these actions have already begun.

She said the situation should be treated as a priority and that every subsequent action should be coordinated so that no step is taken that could further complicate Kosovo’s position or that of the individuals convicted in The Hague.

“Everything else, I think, further complicates both the position of the Republic of Kosovo and the position of the people who were sentenced to so many years in prison. That is why I emphasize that they must cooperate; we must make this issue a priority,” Haxhiu said, RTK reports.

The acting president said that at this time there should be no divisions or clashes over accusations about who is a “spy” or a “traitor,” but that institutions should focus on coordinating the next steps.

Haxhiu also criticized the PDK’s decision to refer the issue of forming the Assembly and the government to the Constitutional Court, just two days before the Special Court’s ruling. She described the move as meaningless under the current circumstances.

Asked about the matter in the Assembly lobby, PDK Chairman Bedri Hamza said that they currently see no greater priority than the initiative to amend the law on the Specialist Chambers.

On Wednesday, the Special Court in The Hague sentenced former KLA leaders to a total of 81 years in prison. Following this first-instance verdict, statements have been made and discussions have begun about the next steps, including the appeals phase.