Petkovic meets with Krois: We expect the UNMIK report to cover numerous incidents caused by Pristina

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, met with the representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office in Belgrade, Dominika Krois, ahead of tomorrow’s regular UN Security Council session on UNMIK's work. Petkovic emphasized that Pristina's latest escalatory moves are putting the survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo at risk and seriously endangering peace on the ground.

During the conversation, the two discussed the upcoming UNMIK report, which is set to present the situation in Kosovo over the past six months. Petkovic expressed expectations that the new report would include numerous incidents caused by Pristina through what he described as unilateral and unlawful actions, "carrying out terror and daily harassment of the Serbian population."

Petkovic stressed that Pristina's latest escalatory moves are jeopardizing the survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo and seriously threatening peace on the ground.

He pointed to the recent arrests of Serbian pilgrims from central Serbia, aimed at creating new tensions and exerting additional pressure on the Serbian population in Kosovo.

"A total of 16 Serbs were detained over the weekend as they attempted to visit Serbian churches and monasteries ahead of the major Orthodox holiday, the Annunciation. It is clear that both physical and legal violence are taking place, as well as the suppression of religious freedoms. After endangering the basic existence of the Serbian people by shutting down Serbian institutions in Kosovo and Metohija — institutions intended to serve as the foundation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities — the regime in Pristina has demonstrated that it has no intention of fulfilling its obligations from the Brussels Dialogue, much less of forming the Community of Serbian Municipalities, which has been delayed for 12 years. It is evident that oppression and repression against Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija continue daily, and the disenfranchisement of the Serbian people is visible at every step and on every level," Petkovic emphasized.

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija underlined that Belgrade remains firmly committed to preserving peace and stability in Kosovo and the region, as well as to upholding international rules and norms. This includes, he noted, adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and the Brussels Agreement — documents that are still in force and must be respected and implemented.

Petkovic also drew attention to the fact that any persistence by Pristina in implementing unilateral and unlawful decisions will only lead to further escalation of tensions and a serious threat to peace and security on the ground.

He emphasized the irreplaceable role of the UN Mission in Kosovo in maintaining peace, security, and the protection of human rights, and expressed expectations that international organizations and institutions on the ground would fulfill their mandates, ensuring conditions in which attacks on Serbs will not be tolerated.

At the end of the meeting, Petkovic stressed that for Serbia, the support that the United Nations provides to the fundamental principles of international law regarding the status of Kosovo is of exceptional importance — a stance reflected in UN Security Council Resolution 1244.