Several Albanian-language media outlets published an article yesterday (June 21) whose headlines claimed that "nearly 200 German companies warned of leaving Kosovo due to the political situation."
The claim was based on a press release by the “German-Kosovar Chamber of Commerce” (OEGJK) issued on June 15.
The claim of a warning to leave was denied by the German ambassador to Kosovo, Jörn Rohde, and the OEGJK.
From the analysis of the facts conducted by hibrid.info, it results that this chamber of commerce has raised the concerns of the 198 companies it represents and the possibility of giving up investments or suspending activities, and not warning them of their departure from Kosovo.
Links to articles published in Albanian language media:
Excerpts from an article published in Albanian-language media:
The political instability in Kosovo and the fragile security situation, warned by the American envoy, Gabriel Escobar, as a potential for the outbreak of a regional conflict, is influencing the strategy of potential investors in Kosovo.
In fact, the warnings of the German-Kosovar Chamber of Commerce are that just because of the tense situation in Northern Kosovo from May 26, over 198 German companies may leave.
On June 15, the OEGJK issued a press release expressing concern about developments in Kosovo, stating that “German companies may abandon investments in Kosovo, or discontinue existing activities.” (here)
But, after this news was reported in the media with the claim that there are about 200 German companies that may leave Kosovo, OEGJK and Ambassador Rohde denied this claim, calling it false.
"The German-Kosovar Chamber of Commerce has received information from various sources about the circulation of a fake news item titled: "Scary: Nearly 200 German companies warn of leaving Kosovo due to the security situation". The German-Kosovar Chamber of Commerce sees it as reasonable to deny this fake news." (here)
The German ambassador to Kosovo, Jörn Rohde, then reacted, writing on his Twitter account that the news was not true and described it as "disrespect for journalistic standards."
“Media reports about the departure of 200 German companies from Kosovo are completely wrong… What is true: Companies are concerned about current developments”system. (here)
The German ambassador also said that German companies are concerned about the recent situation in northern Kosovo in his joint interview with the French ambassador to Kosovo, given on the "RTK Prime" show on Tuesday evening.
"We saw a press release from the German-Kosovar Chamber of Commerce last week where economic uncertainty is poisonous to economic development."system. (here)
However, neither Ambassador Rode nor the OEGJK have said that German companies are warning of leaving Kosovo, as claimed in the media headlines covered by hibrid.info.
Analyze:
The media reported that 200 German companies have warned of leaving Kosovo due to the situation in the north.
In fact, from the analysis of the facts presented in the announcement of the "German-Kosovar Chamber of Commerce" (OEGJK) it results that the media have mistakenly transmitted the message. What is said in this announcement of OEGJK is that, as an organization representing 198 businesses, they express their concern about the possibility of giving up investments or interrupting existing activity, but not the warning to leave Kosovo.
The claim in question was denied by OEGJK and the German ambassador to Kosovo, Jörn Rohde.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info assesses this claim as "Unverified Content" and "Error".
Rating:
The “Unverified” rating is given to those media reports that do not provide sufficient information to confirm the claims made in the report, and which have not been able to confirm the same due to the lack or non-possession of reliable sources.
The "Error" rating is given to media reports in which the media editorial staff made a mistake by publishing incorrect information or broadcasting unverified news from another source, without the clear intention of misinforming the public.