Gudzic: Kosovo has proven to be a champion in violating its own laws

Historian Aleksandar Gudzic stated that the letter sent to the authorities in Pristina regarding the use of community symbols and flags in Kosovo shows that the European Union, the Quint countries, and EULEX are reminding Kosovo that it must respect its own legislation and Constitution. He added that it is particularly significant that such a message was sent ahead of Vidovdan and that EU member states likely intend to prevent potential incidents through this message.

Gudzic notes that Kosovo has proven to be a champion in violating its own laws.

"For years now, we have witnessed Kosovo institutions prohibiting Serbs from displaying national symbols, both at the institutional, high level and at the local, micro level. In practice, this means that if I decide to wear a T-shirt bearing Serbian national symbols, I risk being arrested by the Kosovo Police, fined, and forced to remove those symbols. It is in this context that I view the message from representatives of the European Union countries, who are reminding Kosovo that it must respect its own legislation, especially considering that the European Union itself is founded on the rule of law and respect for legal norms, something that is lacking in Kosovo's case," Gudzic told Kosovo Online.

Gudzic stressed that the timing of the message, ahead of Vidovdan, is particularly important, recalling that Serbian national sentiments are more strongly expressed on that occasion.

"For years, we have witnessed unpleasant scenes and incidents involving Serbs and the Kosovo Police. The European Union and its member states likely intend, through this message, to prevent and avoid such situations," Gudzic concluded.

The letter, signed by the Acting Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Eva Palatova, the ambassadors of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy, and the Head of the EULEX Mission, states that the constitutional and legal framework protects the right of all communities to preserve, express, and develop their identity, including through the use and display of symbols and flags.

The European Union, EULEX, and the Quint countries emphasized that the use of symbols, including national flags and community flags, is a protected right, and that the authorities in Pristina have an obligation not only to refrain from unjustified interference, but also to ensure the conditions necessary for the equal exercise of that right.