“EU reacts after Serbian health and pension insurance offices close

“This represents yet another action packaged by the Kosovo government in office against such structures, and is contrary to Kosovo's obligations and pledges against the EU. The EU has consistently stated that their status should be resolved in line with the Brussels-brokered dialogue, the agreements reached, and the Kosovo laws” were said in an EU statement.

The EU called on the incumbent Government of Kosovo and other relevant Kosovo institutions that “refrain from such provocations and harmful acts, as well as consult with the local Serb community and international partners”.

According to the European bloc, these actions have a negatively impact on ordinary citizens, mainly from the Serb community in Kosovo, but also on other communities.

A day earlier, from the North Mitrovica municipality confirmed to Radio Free Europe that with the assistance of the Kosovo Police, the Inspectorate of this municipality conducted controls in spaces where these institutions of Serbia were operating.

The “during the search is found that persons encountered in the object have not had valid documentation for the exercise of the event mentioned. For this reason, work has been temporarily suspended, while further procedure will be conducted regularly, in line with laws and competencies in force”, the North Mitrovica municipality said.

The Fund for Health Insurance in Northern Mitrovica operates under the Republic Health Insurance Fund of Serbia and provides health care services as proof of health literature, medical affairs, accounting, control, and payment of financial compensation, as well as confirmation of requests for medical and similar assistance.

In the Serb environments in Kosovo, all health and educational institutions function according to Serbia's system.

In an interview given Radio Europe Free in September 2024, Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, has said that functioning health and education in Serb majority environments is specific and that these institutions will be dealt specifically with by the closure of other Serbian institutions.

In 2024, Kosovo authorities have begun closing down several Serbian institutions in Kosovo, including: Serbia's post, the Post Savings Bank, the provisional municipal bodies, social and other centres.

Meanwhile, days ago, objects in Gracanica and Shtrpce used by Serbia's Post have also been taken over by Kosovo authorities.

The closure of Serbian institutions, which Kosovo considers illegal and parallel, has faced criticism from the EU and the United States, which have said the Government of Kosovo is taking unilateral and uncoordinated action.

Charged at the American Embassy in Pristina, Annu Prattipati told a group of Serbian-language media on September 4th that all parallel Serbian institutions, including education and health care, should be integrated into the Kosovo system.

However, she has stressed that the way this integration will be done is essential and, according to her, should be developed only through consultations with the Serb community. / REL