The embassies of France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain and the United States of America and the Office of the European Union in Kosovo are concerned about the decision of the Government of Kosovo not to allow the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church Porfirio and his bishops to enter Kosovo to attend the ceremonial start of the regular annual assembly of the Synod in the Patriarchate of Pec.
"The Government's decision is contrary to the provisions of Ahtisaari's plan, which clearly prescribes the rights, privileges and immunities for the clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and is not in accordance with Kosovo's obligations in the dialogue with the EU," the statement said.
The embassies announced that they expect the Government of Kosovo to fulfill the highest standards of human rights both in its legal framework and in its actions, to act in the interest of all its citizens and to uphold its basic values and responsibility towards regional stability.
"We continue to call on both sides to refrain from any actions and rhetoric that could increase tensions and lead to incidents," it said.
SPC Assembly: The same as if someone forbade the Pope to go to the Vatican, but they want to go to the Council of Europe
The Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church announced that yesterday's ban by the authorities in Pristina on its head, Patriarch Porfiri, to serve the liturgy in the Patriarchate of Pec, which would start the session of the Assembly, is the same as if the Pope was forbidden to go to the Vatican or the head of the Church of England to the cathedral in Canterbury.
As it was emphasized, "this lawlessness committed in front of the world at a time when the government in Pristina hopes to be admitted to the Council of Europe is a pale picture of what the government there is doing every day to the Serbian people who have been living in their centuries-old living space, in Kosovo and Metohija for at least a millennium and according to which the ancient monasteries and churches, tombs, frescoes and icons of inestimable value testify vividly".
"We point out to all responsible international actors who have the ability to influence the Pristina authorities that with this act they have grossly demonstrated that the internationally recognized and generally binding provisions of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human rights, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other conventions," the statement emphasized.
It is also said that the authorities in Pristina "tried to humiliate the Serbian Orthodox Church" and to "instill new fears and anxieties among the Kosovo-Metohija Serbs, lest they be forced to leave their sanctuaries and homes."
Pristina: Denied entry of Patriarch Porfirio "due to violation of the Brussels Agreement"
Kosovo The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora confirmed that it rejected the request of the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church Porphyria to visit the Patriarchate of Peć, writes the Kosovo media.
The Ministry announced that it would not allow it visits to Kosovo until Serbia stops violating the Brussels Agreement, does not allow the visits of Kosovo state officials to Serbia and does not stop campaigns against Kosovo in the international arena.
Belgrade is also expected to stop hate speech and threats to Kosovo and its representatives, reported the portal reporters.net.
