KFOR sets up new barricades around Visoki Decani monastery

Photo: Tanjug/AP/KFOR Press Office

A few days ago, KFOR set up new barricades near the monastery of Visoki Decani, writes the Pristina based Gazeta Express.

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The newspaper claims that this provoked a reaction from citizens who believe that the barricades reflect insecurity, political pressure and an obstacle to developing a normal life.

KFOR has announced that the barricades were set up for the purpose of protecting the Visoski Decani monastery. It was pointed out that works on the Decani-Plav road were blocked because the agreed conditions have not been met, especially with regard to compliance with the Law on Special Protected Areas.

"This law aims to protect against any activities that may damage the historical, cultural, architectural or archaeological context, the natural environment or the visual and esthetical environment," said KFOR.

It is added that the works will continue after the technical problems have been solved.

"All sites of religious and cultural heritage are valuable to all people in Kosovo and everyone should contribute to their preservation," KFOR said.

The mayor of Decani, Bashkim Ramosaj, said that he has been informed about the installation of new barricades near the monastery, but that he insisted that the barricades must be completely removed.

The organization Europa Nostra has included the Serbian medieval monastery of Visoki Decani on the list of the most endangered cultural monuments in Europe. For five years now, the provisional institutions in Pristina have been refusing to register the land belonging to that monastery, despite a verdict of the Kosovo Constitutional Court.

The monastery is also endangered by construction works on the Decani-Plav road, which is supposed to pass through the protected zone around the monastery.

(Telegraf.rs)