Ahead of today’s visit of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Avdullah Hoti to the monastery and the municipality of Decani, the Abbot of the monastery Visoki Decani, Sava Janjic addressed the Kosovo public in Albanian. Janjic once again pointed out that the construction of the transit road through the special protective zone around the monastery is illegal and highlighted the Kosovo government 2014 solution to build a bypass – which is in accordance with the law. At the same time, he proposed that the existing road through the zone may be completed later – after the bypass is constructed – but as a road of local character, with appropriate width, speed limit and prohibition of heavy traffic.
In his video message, Father Sava wanted to address the citizens who still have, in his words, doubts regarding the problem of the Decane-Plav road, which passes through the protective zone of the monastery.
“First, I want to assure you that we as citizens fully support the economic development of our Municipality and the construction of roads which connect people. However, the law on Special Protective Zones which was approved by the Kosovo Parliament prohibits the construction of highways through such zones,” the Abbot said.
He also recalled the Kosovo government decision from 2014 to make a road from Decani to Montenegro going around the SPZ, following partly the valley of Loqan/Locani and connecting with the road along the Decanska Bistrica river at the end of the protective zone.
The Abbot noted that this is the best solution because it would keep the heavy traffic out of the area which is envisaged by the law to be an area of undisturbed nature and peace.
Janjic also proposed that the existing road through the zone, whose expansion and transformation into a highway began again this month, may be completed later as a road of local character, with appropriate width, speed limit and prohibition of heavy traffic.
“I am sure it would be possible to complete this local road as soon as the road circumventing the zone is constructed. Around the road more vegetation may be planted to preserve the character of this zone which is also the National park of Prokletije.”
He expressed strong hope that the Government of Kosovo and the Municipality of Decani will support this solution which was also suggested by international representatives.
“At the same time this solution would be a good foundation for building confidence and promotion of Monastery of Decani as a World Cultural Heritage site of UNESCO with an unspoiled natural ambient, without noise, turbulences and crowded roads. The local road through the zone would remain accessible for recreation and tourism as the existing road leading to the monastery,” the Abbot proposed ahead of the Kosovo Prime Minister’s visit to the monastery.
Hoti’s visit arrives after days of tension between the monastery clergy and local authorities who insist on building a transit road near the UNESCO-protected monastery. The Diocese of Raska and Prizren has repeatedly warned that the roadworks are not in line with the Law on Special Protective Zones, such as the one around the monastery Visoki Decani, which explicitly prohibits such activities.
Following the reaction of the clergy and the Diocese, which sent an appeal to the international community after the works were continued, 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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