Quint, EU embassies in Pristina "concerned" over entry ban for Serbian patriarch

BRUSSELS - The embassies of Quint states - France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US - and the EU office in Pristina on Tuesday voiced concern over Pristina's decision to deny entry to Kosovo-Metohija to Serbian Patriarch Porfirije and seven bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church on Monday.

In a joint statement, they said the decision was "contrary to the provisions of the Ahtisaari Plan, which clearly prescribes rights, privileges, and immunities for the clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and is not consistent with Kosovo’s obligations in the EU Dialogue."

"We expect the Government of Kosovo to meet the highest human rights standards both in its legal framework and in its actions, act in the interests of all its citizens, and uphold its core values and responsibility towards regional stability.

We continue to call upon both parties to refrain from any actions and rhetoric that could increase tensions and may lead to incidents," the statement also said.

The patriarch and the bishops were to attend a ceremony marking the start of a regular annual meeting of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church that had been scheduled to begin at the Patriarchate of Pec on Tuesday.

They were ordered to return from the Merdare administrative crossing and handed refusal letters without any reason or explanation whatsoever.