Veliu EU chief: Serbia is collecting and transporting migrants to near Kosovo

At the beginning of this letter, Minister Veliu notes that in recent years, the Republic of Kosovo and other states of Southeast Europe have faced a growing number of irregular migrants, who in most cases use Kosovo as a transit country, to reach EU countries.

We are aware that the number of irregular migrants has marked an apparent increase. This increase has been a challenge for our country, however, the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have established all the capacities needed for managing as best any possible influx of migrants as possible. Despite the difficulties presented, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo has been handling and continuing to address it in the most humane way, as well as to offer migrants all necessary conditions, in line with international standards and legislation at power”, it is further said in Minister Veliu's letter.

Minister Veliu emphasises that over the past few years, we are facing cases when Serbian authorities organisedly accumulate and then transport migrants to the vicinity of the border with the Republic of Kosovo, in order to cross the same route through illegal routes to the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.

Minister Veliu points out that during interviews with our authorities held last days with migrants, we have been notified by the very ones that a number of about 400 migrants have already gathered in the vicinity of Presevo, in order to be transported to the vicinity of the border with the Republic of Kosovo.

“Furthermore, the same have claimed to be exercising physical violence against them and, in addition, have been threatened with violence if they try to return to Serbia's territory. For such actions of the Serbian authorities, it has also been reported in various international media”, he stresses his concern through this letter Minister Veliu.

At the end of this public letter, Minister Agim Veliu expresses his concern and the Government of the Republic of Kosovo over these Serbian state actions, which are contrary to the International Conventions that guarantee human rights and the treatment of migrants.

“A state aspiring to be a member of the EU family in the near future should not take such action and the same dare never be tolerated”, except his letter to Minister Veliu.