German Ambassador Jorn Rohde, through a statement, refuted the claims of Lista Srpska, which yesterday argued that “the integration of healthcare and education institutions has never been part of the negotiations or any agreement.”
“I want to emphasize that this is simply not true,” Rohde declared.
“The agreement signed on April 19, 2013, included six points regarding the creation of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities, while the most recent Ohrid agreement on the implementation roadmap of the 2013 deal clearly defines the integration of the aforementioned institutions into Kosovo’s institutional system under the patronage of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities.”
Rohde stressed that such vague interpretations of binding international documents further increase tensions at an already sensitive time, ahead of the October 12 local elections, where Serb communities are expected to elect their representatives.
“Therefore, I would urge everyone to refrain from making such arbitrary statements, which could even be said to be made with bad intentions, as they can harm democratic processes, such as the upcoming elections.”
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti addressed the Serb community in the Serbian language via video, stating that in the “next mandate” the incorporation of healthcare and education into a single system in the north of the country would be carried out.
Kurti added this would be done in cooperation with the newly elected mayors chosen by citizens in the October elections.
“Certainly, the dualism of the healthcare and education systems is not sustainable. Integration and unification are necessary. I do not want to do this against you or without you,” Kurti stated.
Shortly after, Lista Srpska responded, claiming that the acting Prime Minister’s video message was “just another form of attack against them, as well as a threat to the survival of Serbs in Kosovo.”
They argued that Kurti’s statements on integrating healthcare and education “are not part of any negotiation” and demanded a strong international reaction.
However, the answer they received today from Germany did not align with their expectations.
