FM Djuric: Demolition of buildings and works in Visoki Decani represent deliberate pressure on Serbs

Minister of Foreign Affairs Marko Djuric has stated that the demolition of buildings in the Zubin Potok municipality in northern Kosovo and Metohija, illegal works in the zone of the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Visoki Decani, and administrative obstacles that make it difficult for Serbian Orthodox pilgrims to visit their holy places are a form of deliberate pressure on Serbs.

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In a post on X, Djuric said that Albin Kurti's government is "once again demonstrating its disregard for the rule of law and the rights of Kosovo Serbs."

"In just the past few days we have seen: the demolition of Serb properties at Lake Gazivode despite pending court cases and EU warnings; illegal works inside the protected zone of Visoki Decani in violation of Kosovo's own legislation and the 2020 agreement; and new administrative barriers aimed at hindering Serbian Orthodox pilgrims," the minister wrote.

He stressed that these are not isolated technical issues, but instead represent "a deliberate pattern of pressure on Serb property rights, freedom of religion, and a UNESCO World Heritage site."

"I strongly believe that the international presence, the EU, OSCE and KFOR within its mandate, should react decisively to halt these faits accomplis and uphold the rule of law," Djuric concluded.

The Serb-owned Jezero motel and bar was demolished on Thursday by the Ibar-Lepenac company. The dispute over the Jezero complex is part of broader activities that Ibar-Lepenac has been carrying out in recent months in the Gazivode area, where a number of Serb-owned weekend homes and other facilities have already been destroyed.

After the previous wave of demolitions at Gazivode, the European Union requested an immediate suspension of further actions, while the embassies of Germany and Britain also called for respect for the rule of law.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)