The Abbot of the Visoki Decani monastery, Sava Janjic said today that there is good will for a permanent solution on the issue of the Decan-Plav highway, which will be in accordance with the law and satisfy both the economic interests of the municipality and the monastery’s interest in having a peaceful life.
In a joint media address in front of the monastery, Father Sava thanked the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Avdullah Hoti, but also KFOR Commander Michele Risi and the Mayor of Decani, Bashkim Ramosaj for today’s visit. He underlined that he feels „encouraged“ after the meeting.
„We support the construction of roads that connect people. We support the economic development of the municipality. On the other hand, it is very important to bear in mind that there is a Law on Special Protective Zones which does not allow the main road to be built through protective zones, and this would be a main and international road,“ Father Sava stressed.
Janjic did not specify what possibilities were discussed during the meeting. This morning, however, he addressed the public with a video message in Albanian, where he reminded of the solution agreed in 2014 – which includes the construction of a bypass outside the special protective zone through the valley of Locani.
He announced further talks in the coming days in the presence of international representatives, saying that they are interested in resolving this issue to the satisfaction of all parties.
On the eve of the visit to the monastery, Hoti and Ramosaj first met in private. In a statement to the media in front of the municipality building, Hoti reiterated that Kosovo has an „institutional culture of respect for the law,“ while Ramosaj insisted that the road would be built – but only after the disputed issues are resolved first.
„We had a meeting, we will also visit the monastery. We are on our way to finding a solution. We will find a common solution. There are numerous disagreements, but there is only one solution – the road will definitely be built,“ Ramosaj said, Pristina-based Koha reported.
Tensions between the monastery and the municipality of Decani have been simmering for years, becoming more visible to the public in the dispute over this road, but also the non-implementation of the decision of the Kosovo Constitutional Court to confirm ownership of almost 24 acres of land to the monastery, which the municipality of Decani has been refusing to do. Tensions increased this month after the Decani monks alerted the public and international representatives regarding the continuation of works within the SPZ, when the mayor of Decani called Abbot Sava Janjic „crazy“, although he did not specifically say his name.
Following the reaction of the clergy and the Diocese, the Kosovo government announced that it would respect the laws and requested the suspension of the works from the local authorities.
The mayor of Decani, Bashkim Ramosaj objected to this decision of the government, sending a series of requests related to the abolition of restrictions in the Law on SPZ and the Law on National Parks. According to him, these laws endanger the economic development of the municipality of Decani and reportedly created a „catastrophic situation in the municipality.“
In addition to these legal acts, Ramosaj also opposes the decision of the Kosovo Constitutional Court approving the decision of the Kosovo Supreme Court to confirm the ownership of the Decani monastery over 24 hectares of land in the vicinity of the monastery.
Read more:
Daut Haradinaj to the Decani mayor: You were called to work, the road must be finished!
Kosnett welcomes the Kosovo government’s decision to halt construction of the Decani-Plav road
Nora Weller: Kosovo to prove that the Serb community and monasteries are protected
Hoti and Ramosaj: Works in the protective zone are suspended until a solution is found
Abbot Sava: It is absurd that monks are defending the law from the institutions themselves
Italian KFOR soldiers take guard duty over the monastery of Visoki Decani again
Hoti: We will build the Decani-Plav road without a racket in television studios
Ramosaj: Government to build the road within the SPZ; Janjic: The bypass is the only solution
KFOR commander visits the SPZ in Decani; Ramosaj: Works suspended until Monday at Hoti’s request
The mayor of Decani called the Abbot Sava Janjic „crazy,“ the road construction to continue
Abbot Sava: The law has been violated, the works on the road within the SPZ must be stopped
Kosnett on institutional violence against Decani: The road in Decani gorge is illegal
European diplomats have visited the Special Protected Zone, RTK against Sava Janjic
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