A diplomatic scandal is raging between Kosovo and North Macedonia, BGNES reported. Pristina accused Skopje of total violation of diplomatic rules and good neighborly relations.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani was traveling in transit to Slovenia when Macedonian airport security confronted her. Osmani asked for help from the Speaker of the Macedonian Parliament, Afrim Gashi /from the Albanian ethnic group - note ed./, who immediately sent his bodyguards to the airport to protect her.
"Contrary to international practices and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the Skopje airport security tried to take the President's personal phone. The President did not allow such a thing, because it would be a serious violation. Despite the explanation of the rules, which the President's team informed the airport employee, he tried to physically push the president, in which the Kosovo police were forced to react to open the way. This behavior of the Macedonian airport employee is contrary to any international practice, according to which, when heads of state travel, they are protected by diplomatic privileges and immunities", said the media adviser of the Kosovo president - Bekim Kupina, quoted by "Koha".
He claimed that airport officials confiscated Vyosa Osmani's personal bag.
"Although it is against the rules, the President's team has allowed it so that Osmani can enter the airport, specifically the VIP lounge, which is reserved with a verbal note from our embassy, as is the practice for state travel heads. However, for security reasons, it is not allowed to hand over the personal phone in any way. The arrogant and aggressive behavior of the employee at the Skopje airport is unprecedented and has never happened during a trip to the president anywhere. around the world, including in countries that do not recognize Kosovo," continued Kupina.
Osmani thanked Afrim Gashi "for the help provided".
"After the president boarded the plane, the airport in Skopje did not allow the civilian plane to take off for more than an hour, under the pretext that the Slovenian state did not allow take-off because it would not be ready for landing. The president's office contacted the Slovenian side, which informs us that this information is absolutely false and that the plane will be able to land at the scheduled time. The Presidency considers any attack and illegal treatment against high-ranking government officials as an attack against the Republic of Kosovo itself, never in its history has treated the president/presidents, the prime minister or the ministers of North Macedonia or any other country in a similar way, nor will it ever allow such a thing," stressed the advisor of Vyosa Osmani.
The version from the Macedonian side is different.
"The head of the team responsible for the security of President Afrim Gashi threatened the security guards with a gun," the Macedonian media wrote.
"Vyaosa Osmani was asked to hand over her mobile phone and hand luggage for inspection due to suspicion of smuggling. After she refused, Gashi's security chief arrived at Skopje Airport with two other people to help her through without inspection of luggage. After airport security refused to let her in, Gashi's security chief pulled out his gun and began threatening employees," Channel 5 reports.
The Ministry of the Interior of North Macedonia confirmed the case. From there they inform that the "Internal control, forensics and professional standards" directorate was immediately notified and, in agreement with the prosecutor's office, measures are being taken to clarify what happened. | BGNES
