EU urges Serbia to allow Kosovo officials' visits to Presevo Valley

The European Union has asked Serbia to allow Kosovo officials' visits to three municipalities in southern Serbia, which are warned in line with the agreement reached in dialogue about bilateral visits.

The bloc has demanded that Kosovo respect this agreement in the same way.

The EU's reaction comes after Kosovo Interior Minister Jjelal Svechla was refused permission to visit the Presevo Valley in Serbia in early January: Touches, Medvedja and Bujanoc.

Kosovo Interior Affairs Minister Jhelal Svecla's “visia, in Serbia, was warned in line with the dialogue agreement about official visits. Therefore, Serbia has had to allow it and that [soft] to be realised” was said in a response to Peter Stano, EU spokesman for foreign affairs and security.

Stano also said that “The EU continues to extend its invitation to both sides as a whole, and without condition, to implement all agreements reached in dialogue, including agreements on official visits and freedom of movement”.

All disagreements must be resolved through dialogue. The EU remains ready to facilitate discussions on the sides to find solutions”, the EU spokesman said.