After Serbia refused entry to Kosovo politicians earlier this month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected a request of Serbia’s Chief Negotiator Petar Petkovic to visit the country on December 2 and 3.
An agreement brokered between the two countries means that they must ask the other country’s permission if state officials wish to travel there.
On November 28, the Serbian government has rejected the request by four Kosovo ministers to visit the Presheva Valley, a region inhabited largely by the ethnic Albanian population.
Minister of Infrastructure Liburn Aliu informed via a Facebook post on Saturday that ministers were informed of the ban a few moments before departing for a 2-day visit. The Serbian authorities did not provide any reasons for the ban.
Aliu said that they had filed a request to visit in accordance with the agreement between the two countries that regulate respective officials visits.
Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Gazeta Express that they rejected Petkovic’s request.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has not approved the request of Serbian official Petar Petkovic to visit Kosovo on 2-3 December 2021,” they wrote in response to questions.
Addressing media near the border crossing of Merdare, Petkovic confirmed he was refused entry despite having applied in due time and in accordance with the agreement reached regarding the visits of senior officials. He accused Prishtina of violating the agreement while not commenting on the actions of Serbia just days before.
