Kosovo declares Telekom Srbija CEO Vladimir Lucic persona non grata

Kosovo's Ministry of Internal Affairs has declared Telekom Srbija CEO Vladimir Lucic persona non grata. The decision came one day after Lucic visited the offices of MTS d.o.o. in North Mitrovica.

The decision was signed by Kosovo's acting Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Svecla and took effect immediately.

Under the decision, Lucic is prohibited from entering Kosovo.

The explanation accompanying the decision states that, through his public statements, Lucic expressed views which, according to Kosovo's Ministry of Internal Affairs, were aimed at "directly undermining the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional order of Kosovo," while promoting and publicly supporting actions and policies that challenge the authority of Kosovo's competent institutions.

The decision specifically refers to the telecommunications sector, including telecommunications infrastructure, Gazeta 10 reported.

It added that the decision was adopted pursuant to the provisions of the Law on Foreigners and entered into force on the date it was signed.

Telekom Srbija CEO Vladimir Lucic yesterday visited the offices of MTS d.o.o. in North Mitrovica, where he announced plans to modernize fixed-line telecommunications infrastructure in Serb-populated areas of Kosovo, as well as to construct new company facilities in several municipalities.

On that occasion, Lucic said that the issue of mobile telecommunications throughout Kosovo remained unresolved, stating that Pristina had failed to fulfil its obligation under the Brussels Agreement to launch a tender for a third mobile telecommunications license.

He also stressed that the company had no intention of leaving the area.

"I believe that what Telekom Srbija is doing now, continuing to construct new facilities, is important not only for the quality of our services but also as a symbol that we, as a company, have no intention of leaving this territory. On the contrary, we are convinced that at some point we will obtain the licenses necessary to operate throughout Kosovo and Metohija, that we will become the largest operator, and that it will be very difficult to prevent us from doing so," Lucic concluded.