The EU expresses regret at stopping the festival “

The European Union has expressed regret over the ban on holding the festival “Good afternoon, Dobar dan”, which was originally set to begin 27 June in Belgrade, Serbia.

So said EU spokesman Peter Stano as he answered a question posed by Radio Free Europe.

We regret that this year's edition, funded by the EU, of good afternoon, Dobar Dan '% was banned in Belgrade on Thursday. The EU supports this festival through the creative Europe programme. The festival is an initiative for praise, contributing to the construction of bridges through cultural activities among people in Kosovo and Serbia through cultural activities”, Stano said.

Serbia's Ministry of Internal Affairs on 27 June ordered the festival not to be held, being called to security concerns.

Similarly, during June 27th, rightist groups and fans blocked access to the area where the festival was originally opened.

Festival organisers from Kosovo and Serbia have criticised the Serbian authorities' decision, saying that with the ban on holding the festival, the state lined up with hooligans.

This festival has been held in Kosovo since 2014, and at times in Serbia, and its goal is to improve cultural co-operation between Kosovo and Serbian artists.

“Such arrangements are an important part of normalising reports between Kosovo and Serbia. We are concerned about politicising cultural initiatives organised by civil society, which want to promote intercultural exchange among people”, spokesman Stano said.

He also said that according to human rights standards, state authorities are tasked with providing secure conditions for participants.

“From Serbia as a candidate country, we expect to respect these standards”, Stano said.

Earlier in the day, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has declared that with the Serbian authorities' decision to stop holding the festival, Serbia again displayed its unmovable hostility to anything related to peace and reconciliation”. / REL