Independence of Kosovo

VIENNA - Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Didier Burkhalter expressed satisfaction with his two-day visit to the Western Balkan region and the meetings he had with officials in Belgrade, Pristina and Tirana.

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - Two EULEX vehicles were attacked on the road to the Brnjak crossing in Zubin Potok municipality, northern Kosovo, but nobody was injured in the incident, EULEX Spokesperson Irina Gudeljevic told Tanjug on Saturday.

The Parliament in Pristina approved Wednesday a law to extend EU's rule-of-law mission to Kosovo, EULEX, until June 2016.

A special court will also be set up to investigate alleged war crimes by the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), according to BalkanInsight.

A EULEX press release on Thursday said the defendant was charged with inciting another to commit the murder of Kosovo police officer Triumf Riza alongside other offences.

Riza was shot dead in Pristina by a hitman suspected of working for Enver Sekiraqa in August 2007.

Belgrade said that the establishment of a new Kosovo tribunal with international judges to prosecute war crimes was “good news” that would shift guilt away from Serbia.

The EU rule-of-law mission in Kosovo has indicted two suspects who allegedly violated secrecy rules in the ‘Drenica Group’ case against wartime guerrillas accused of abusing civilian prisoners.

GRACANICA - The Citizens' Initiative Srpska has condemned in the strongest of terms a statement by the Kosovo minister for spatial planning Dardan Gasi on demolition of the Orthodox church in Pristina.

BELGRADE - The Vatican does not intend to recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo-Metohija (KiM), and there are no signals that the five EU member states will change their position concerning the non-recognition of Kosovo's independence either, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic has said.

EU's Ashton expected in Belgrade next week

BRUSSELS -- EU High Representative Catherine Ashton will visit Belgrade later this month, as soon as Serbia's new government has been formed.

This is according to EU sources in Brussels.

Serbian FM: Vatican will not recognize Kosovo

BELGRADE -- The Vatican does not intend to accept the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, says Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkić.