Kosovo: Surprise visits by Serbian officials banned
Pristina, 26 May (AKI) – The European Union mission in Kosovo (EULEX) said on Wednesday it would ban entry to Serbian officials to Kosovo if their visits weren’t announced and approved in advance. Since majority ethnic Albanians declared independence from Serbia two years ago, Serbian officials have been able to travel freely in the Serb-populated north, but EULEX said it would no longer be tolerated. “In view of unannounced visits of Serbian officials to Kosovo, and in close cooperation with Brussels and the EU, EULEX has issued an order to Kosovo police to check with delegations from Serbia whether their visits were authorized,” EULEX spokeswoman Karin Lindale told media. “If they have no permits, delegations should not be allowed to continue the trip,” she added. Serbian minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic urged EULEX to reverse its decision to ban unannounced visits to Kosovo by Serb officials. “It is obvious that EULEX by this move has sided with Pristina, assuming the role of a lawyer of secessionists,” Bogdanovic said. “I demand that EULEX urgently withdraw this decision, or our cooperation and relations will be brought into question. Our patience and constructiveness have limits,” Bogdanovic said. Serbia has retained parallel institutions in the Serb-populated north and isolated enclaves throughout Kosovo, but Kosovo authorities and EULEX have worked out a plan to put the entire region under Pristina's control. http://www.adnkronos.com/AKI/English/Politics/?id=3.1.449586191
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