Lajcak: Petkovic's visit to Kosovo and Metohija for Patriarch Porfirije's enthronement should've been approved

Photo: Tanjug/Milos Milivojevic

The EU special representative for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Miroslav Lajcak, stated in a letter sent to the Office for Kosovo and Metohija that the recent planned visit to the province of its head, Petar Petkovic, on the occasion of the enthronement of Patriarch Porfirije had to be allowed, because it was announced in in accordance with all agreements, the daily Novosti writes, citing diplomatic circles.

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After the authorities in Pristina banned him from attending the enthronement of Patriarch Porfirije without explanation, Petkovic informed Lajcak about this violation of the agreement on official visits.

As confirmed for Novosti, the EU mediator in the dialogue clearly stated in his response that he "fully understands that this ceremony was of great importance both for the Serbian Orthodox Church and for Mr. Petkovic personally."

"As far as the EU is concerned, Mr. Petkovic's visit was properly announced, in accordance with the procedures agreed upon by the parties in the dialogue and therefore should have been allowed by the Kosovo authorities," the letter signed by Lajcak states.

It is added that Lajcak will also raise the issue with the authorities in Pristina and stressed that "agreements on official visits must be respected, as well as all other agreements reached in the dialogue."

(Telegraf.rs)