The European Union’s recent decision to lift visa requirements for Kosovo citizens holding Serbian passports has sparked criticism from the Kosovo government. The decree, signed yesterday, has been condemned as a violation of Kosovo’s sovereignty, according to Deputy Minister for Local Government Administration, Arbër Vokrri.
Vokrri expressed concern that this move by the European Union sets a dangerous precedent, not only for the region but also on a broader international scale, Koha reports.
„The European Parliament’s gesture undermines the sovereignty of the Republic of Kosovo. These individuals are Kosovo citizens, and our passports carry the same value. There’s no need to issue them Serbian passports and then apply a visa liberalization policy to them. This sets a bad example and creates a precedent for situations outside the region. For instance, in Ukraine or Georgia—what if Russia starts issuing passports to people in areas it occupies, and those passports are accepted? That would be a violation of the sovereignty of the affected states. It’s a shame,“ Vokrri stated in an interview on the program 60 Minutes, according to Koha.
Vokrri also highlighted the complexities surrounding citizenship and passports among Kosovo’s Serbian population.
„Some Serbs hold Kosovo passports, some have refused to apply for Kosovo citizenship in time, and others have been prevented from doing so. Even if some were willing to apply for citizenship, officials from the parallel structures in the North, primarily from Srpska Lista, have blocked them,“ Vokrri added.
Concerns Over International Influence and Northern Kosovo Unrest
Addressing the opening of the Ibar River bridge, Vokrri reiterated that Kosovo’s position remains unchanged.
„The bridge issue has gone beyond logical boundaries. If we have KFOR, which in every statement emphasizes that its mission is to ensure freedom of movement for everyone, yet they are setting up barriers on the bridge, it seems strange,“ he remarked.
Regarding potential unrest in northern Kosovo, Vokrri said that while no large-scale disruptions are expected, dissatisfaction in the area could be exacerbated by international actors.
„We don’t anticipate major disturbances. However, what might provoke some expressions of dissatisfaction among certain Serb citizens would be the encouragement they receive from international factors. A number of international diplomats maintain contact with the most extreme organized groups among the Serbs—a minority—while completely ignoring the majority of Serbs and their representatives,“ he said.
Vokrri noted that unrest in northern Kosovo often follows „encouraging gestures“ from certain international representatives in the region.
„I’m not saying they directly tell them to go out and throw stones. But it’s clear that there is a highly asymmetrical favoring of a group of extremists over the majority, which also has its own organizations. If you consistently meet with one side, fund them for projects, encourage them by engaging with their ideas, while ignoring the other side that calls for integration, it’s clear who the destabilizing factor is,“ Vokrri concluded.
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