Scandal at Skopje Airport: Everything Known About the Verbal Clash, Alleged Escalation Attempt
The Presidency of Kosovo has accused North Macedonian authorities of violating international practices and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, claiming that on August 1st, an attempt was made to seize President Vjosa Osmani’s personal phone by a security officer at Skopje Airport (TAV).
“The President did not allow this to happen, as it would have been a severe violation,” said Osmani’s political advisor, Bekim Kupina.
North Macedonian authorities have dismissed these accusations from the Kosovo Presidency but stated that they have initiated an investigation into the incident.
TAV officials stated that the security department, as part of its responsibilities, conducted a standard security check.
Presidency: Such Behavior and Incidents Have Not Occurred During Any Travel
Bekim Kupina explained that despite being informed of the diplomatic rules, the security officer “physically attempted to push the President, prompting Kosovo Police to intervene to clear the way.”
“This behavior by the Macedonian airport official is contrary to all international practices, which provide that heads of state are protected by diplomatic privileges and immunities when traveling. Contrary to these rules, the Macedonian side seized the President’s personal handbag,” Kupina said.
The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, among other things, protects the diplomatic status, privileges, and immunity of heads of state and their staff members on the territory of other states. Regarding travel, the Convention states that persons with diplomatic status and their staff should be allowed free movement.
“Contrary to these rules, the Macedonian side seized the President’s personal handbag. Although this was against the rules, the President’s team allowed it so that the President could enter the airport, specifically the VIP lounge, which was reserved with a verbal note from our Embassy, as is the practice for the travel of heads of state. However, for security reasons, the personal phone was not handed over under any circumstances.”
According to Kupina, such behavior and incidents have never occurred during any of Osmani’s travels, even in non-recognizing states.
“The Presidency considers any improper attack and treatment against senior state officials as an attack on the state of Kosovo itself,” Kupina stated.
“It is clear that in this case, there was an attempt to provoke the delegation of the Republic of Kosovo and cause an incident,” he said, adding that the incident was reported to the Speaker of the North Macedonian Parliament, Afrim Gashi, “whom we thank for the assistance provided.”
Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora said it was informed about the “undignified treatment of the President of the Republic of Kosovo” at Skopje Airport.
Skopje Says It Is Conducting Investigations
However, North Macedonia’s Ministry of Interior stated that while Osmani was passing through border control, at the moment she was asked to leave her phone to pass through the scanner, “a member of her security team was pulled aside by an airport worker to ensure she passed without her phone being scanned and with her hand luggage.”
“Later, the luggage was returned and passed through a scanner. Half an hour later, a security officer from the Speaker of Parliament Afrim Gashi’s team [a police officer] arrived with two other [police officers] and began threatening airport workers and asking who had caused problems for the President,” the statement said.
The Ministry stated that investigations are ongoing to determine what happened.
Gashi’s office noted that his security team (employees of the Ministry of Interior) intervened to calm the situation and assist their colleagues in implementing security procedures during the visit of VIPs.
TAV company stated in a communication that “as an airport operator, it has a legal obligation to conduct security checks on all passengers, luggage, and goods on flights from Skopje International Airport and Ohrid Airport, including those traveling through the VIP lounge.”
“Therefore, TAV’s security department, within its responsibilities, conducted a standard security check of the mentioned passenger and their luggage at the VIP lounge security checkpoint to ensure the specific commercial flight.”
Former North Macedonian Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani reacted to the event, condemning the “unacceptable actions” that took place in Skopje.
“This incident clearly shows the incompetence and irresponsibility of the illegal Albanian representatives in the government,” he wrote on Facebook.
The Alliance for Albanians strongly condemned the “severe provocation against the Republic of Kosovo through the scandalous behavior of Skopje Airport officials” towards President Osmani.
Kosovo and North Macedonia have diplomatic relations and have not had incidents of this nature until now.
