Petkovic with Conrad and German MFA Official: Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija exposed to physical and institutional violence

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, met with the Ambassador of Germany, Anke Konrad, and the Deputy Head of the Western Balkans Department of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, Matthias Konrad, whom he briefed on the extremely difficult position of the Serbian people in Kosovo due to, as stated in the press release, the unlawful and unilateral actions of Albin Kurti.

“Petkovic noted that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are exposed on a daily basis to physical and institutional violence and pressure by the regime of Albin Kurti, which is doing everything to drive Serbs out and create impossible living conditions for our people. This is further evidenced by announcements of the so-called laws on foreigners and vehicles, which makes it necessary for the international community to take concrete steps to protect the rights of our people—the right to work, freedom of movement, and the right to family life—which are jeopardized by such actions of Pristina,” the statement by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija said.

Petkovic also informed his interlocutors about the latest round of dialogue in Brussels, within which the first session of the Commission on Missing Persons was held and progress was made in implementing the Declaration on Missing Persons.

Furthermore, Petkovic conveyed that Belgrade insists on the urgent establishment of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities, which the Serbian people have been waiting for nearly 13 years, and expects concrete steps in that direction. However, the statement adds, there is no political will in Pristina to respect and implement the signed agreements.

“As a responsible party, Belgrade will continue to participate in the dialogue with the aim of normalizing relations, in the best faith that only through dialogue can sustainable solutions be found to improve the lives of people living in Kosovo and Metohija,” the statement concludes.