Petkovic meets with Cochard: Rasic was not elected by Serbian votes, electoral manipulation against Serbs

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, met today with the French Ambassador to Belgrade, Pierre Cochard, highlighting the fact that, a month after the elections in Kosovo, the final results are still unavailable.

A statement from the Office for Kosovo and Metohija asserts that this delay is clear evidence of electoral manipulation, the annulment of Serbian votes, and the rigging of results to the detriment of the Serbian people. It specifically points to the promotion of Albin Kurti's ally, Nenad Rasic, who, according to Petkovic, was not elected by Serbian votes.

Petkovic discussed the situation in Kosovo with Ambassador Cochard, focusing on the difficult position of the Serbian community and the stagnation of the dialogue, where Pristina has refused for years to fulfill its obligation to establish the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM).

He particularly emphasized a series of irregularities that occurred during the recent elections in Kosovo.

"A month after the vote, we still have no final results, which clearly demonstrates all the manipulations with the electoral will, the annulment of Serbian votes, and the rigging of results to the detriment of the Serbian people. This was done to favor Albin Kurti’s protégé, Nenad Rasic, who was not elected by Serbian votes. All of this indicates that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are facing continuous violations of their rights, as well as threats to their security and very survival. The recent unlawful and violent shutdown of Serbian institutions in Kosovo and Metohija has further worsened their situation. The Pristina regime has now deprived them of access to salaries in Serbian communities in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as pensions and social benefits—lifelines for many Serbs," Petkovic stated.

The director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija warned that by shutting down Serbian institutions, Pristina's leadership is making it abundantly clear that it has no intention of forming the CSM.

"When you add Kurti's daily acts of violence and terror against Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, the attacks on Serbian property and religious sites, it becomes evident that Pristina does not seek dialogue or agreements, but rather constant conflict and tension, with the ultimate goal of expelling Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija. However, despite all these challenges and the clear lack of goodwill from Pristina's politicians to build peace and coexistence, Belgrade remains committed to dialogue and compromise. That is the only way to preserve peace in the province and the region and to achieve the much-needed normalization of relations on the ground," concluded Petkovic.