The European Union has called on Serbia to allow official visits from Kosovo to the three municipalities in the south of Serbia, which are anticipated in accordance with the agreement reached in the dialogue on reciprocal visits. The EU has requested that Kosovo also respect this agreement in the same way.

The EU’s reaction comes after Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, was denied permission in early January to visit the Preshevo Valley – the southern municipalities in Serbia: Preshevo, Medvegja, and Bujanoc.

“The visit of Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, to Serbia was announced in accordance with the dialogue agreement on official visits. Therefore, Serbia was supposed to allow it, and the visit to take place,” said Peter Stano, the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security, in a response.

Stano also stated that “the EU continues to call on both parties to fully and unconditionally implement all agreements reached in the dialogue, including agreements on official visits and freedom of movement”.

“All disagreements should be resolved through dialogue. The EU remains ready to facilitate discussions between the parties to find solutions,” said the EU spokesperson.

On January 4, Sveçla had planned to visit the Preshevo Valley. However, the visit was not allowed to proceed by the Serbian authorities.

In the past, there have been instances when both Serbia and Kosovo have refused to grant permission for official visits to the respective states.

On November 27, 2021, Serbian authorities had rejected the request of four ministers for a two-day visit to the Preshevo Valley.

Earlier, Kosovo had also refused a visit to Kosovo by the head of the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government, Petar Petković.

In all these cases, the EU had consistently criticized the parties for refusing to grant permits for visits, urging them to allow such visits based on the agreement reached for reciprocal official visits.

According to the arrangements between Kosovo and Serbia for official visits, reached under the EU’s mediation, these visits should be announced through intermediary officials. Meanwhile, the authorities of the respective states should authorize them.