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QUINT and the EU criticize Kosovo for refusing the Serbian patriarch's visit

2024-05-14 15:18:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

QUINT and the EU criticize Kosovo for refusing the Serbian patriarch's

The embassies of the QUINT States and the European Union have criticized Kosovo for rejecting the visit request of the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije, and some other priests.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo on May 13 justified the decision to reject the Serbian patriarch's request for residence in Kosovo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that such visits will not be allowed until "Serbia continues to violate the Brussels agreement, does not allow the visits of our state officials to Serbia and moreover does not stop with campaigns against the Republic of Kosovo in the international arena, as in the processes integrative as well as those of recognition".

However, the EU spokesperson, Peter Stano, declared on May 14 that it is Kosovo that has violated the Agreement on official visits, reached in the dialogue for the normalization of relations, since according to him, the visit of Porfirija was announced to the Kosovo authorities, as well as required by agreement.

"By refusing him entry, the government of Kosovo has not only violated the 2014 Agreement on official visits, but has also grossly ignored the importance that the Serbian Orthodox Church has for a part of Kosovo's citizens, and this goes against the basic principles of a multi-ethnic, tolerant and democratic society", said Stano.

Meanwhile, through a joint statement, the embassies of the QUINT countries - France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States - and the EU Office in Kosovo expressed concern over the refusal of Porfirija's visit.

"The decision of the government of Kosovo is contrary to the articles of the Ahtisaari Plan, which clearly define the rights, privileges and immunity for the clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and it is also not in accordance with the obligations of Kosovo arising from the dialogue mediated by the EU -ja", was said in response.

QUINT said it expects the government of Kosovo to meet the highest standards of human rights, both in its legal framework and through its actions.

"We continue to call on the parties to refrain from any actions and rhetoric that could increase tensions and lead to incidents," QUINT said.

A day earlier, the head of the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian government, Petar Petkovic, who is also Serbia's chief negotiator in the dialogue with Kosovo, said that Porfirije was on his way to Kosovo on Monday to participate in the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Orthodox Church Serbian in the Patriarchate of Peja, on Tuesday.

He said that the Belgrade Liaison Office, in accordance with valid agreements and procedures, has sent the notification about the plans to visit Peja.

During a press conference in Brussels on May 14, the EU spokesperson, Peter Stano, said that in the new round of dialogue, which will be held on May 15, although it has a specific agenda, it is foreseen that the issue of the rejection of request for a visit to Kosovo by the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Otherwise, at the beginning of May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo had rejected Petar Petkovic's request for a visit, not giving reasons for such a decision.

Even earlier, Kosovo has rejected requests submitted by Petkovic to conduct visits, saying that the rejection was due to "provocative statements".

Meanwhile, in January of this year, Serbia rejected the request for a visit from the Minister of Internal Affairs of Kosovo, Xhelal Sveçla. He had planned to visit the municipalities of Preshevo, Medvegja and Bujanoc, which are inhabited by Albanians.

The issue of official visits between Kosovo and Serbia is regulated through an agreement reached within the dialogue for the normalization of relations, which is mediated by the European Union. These visits must be announced through the liaison officers of Kosovo and Serbia. Meanwhile, the authorities of the respective states must authorize them./ Rel