Quint and the EU: We are concerned about the ban on the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch and clergy visiting Kosovo

The embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union Office in Kosovo, have expressed concern over the decision by the Government of Kosovo to prohibit the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Porfirije and his hierarchs from entering Kosovo to attend the ceremonial start of the regular annual assembly of the Synod at the Patriarchate of Peć. They emphasized that this decision is not in line with the provisions of the Ahtisaari Plan or Pristina's obligations within the dialogue framework.

"The decision of the Government of Kosovo contradicts the provisions of the Ahtisaari Plan, which clearly stipulates the rights, privileges, and immunities for the clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and it is not in accordance with Kosovo's obligations in the dialogue with the EU," states the announcement published on the website of the German Embassy in Pristina.

They urge that the Government of Kosovo must act in accordance with human rights and the legislative framework, as well as the interests of all citizens.

"We expect the Government of Kosovo to uphold the highest standards of human rights both in its legal framework and its actions, to act in the interest of all its citizens, and to support its core values and responsibility towards regional stability," the embassies of the Quint countries and the EU emphasize.

They called on both sides, Serbia and Kosovo, to refrain from any actions and rhetoric that could increase tensions and lead to incidents.