In a letter sent to the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, also Vice President of the European Commission, Kosovo’s government head has denounced what he describes as Belgrade’s systematic oppression of ethnic Albanians in Presheva.

In his letter, Kurti underlines that Albanians in Presheva Valley face political, administrative, economic, cultural and identity-based discrimination, endangering their security and existence.

“While Kosovo’s Serbian community enjoys rights and freedoms, Albanians in Serbia are facing deregistration of addresses and administrative ethnic cleansing,” Kurti went on saying.

Kosovo PM stated that over 10 percent of Albanians have been removed from voter lists, depriving them of the right to vote, while unemployment rate in Albanians municipalities ranges from 30 to 70 percent, much higher than the Serbian average of 12 percent.

He also underlined that the atmosphere of intolerance in the Albanian municipalities in Southern Serbia is further exacerbated by the prevalence of hate speech, the ban on use of the national symbols and censure on cultural and national identity.

Kurti also denounced the establishment of Serbian military bases in Bujanovc and the surrounding areas, and 48 operational bases on the border with Kosovo, voicing concern about the mandatory military service imposed by Serbia and describing it as a serious threat that could lead to mass displacement of Albanians.

Kurti has called for an urgent response from the European Union and the international community, describing the treatment of Albanians in the Presheva Valley as contrary to European and democratic values.

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According to media report, Kosovo PM Kurti is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Edi Rama.

He is also expected to meet with the Parliament Speaker Lindita Nikolla at 11:30 hrs.

The visit to Tirana takes place after an agreement on implementing a European Union-backed deal to normalise ties was reached following marathon EU-mediated talks between Kosovo and Serbia leaders and EU officials in Ohrid, North Macedonia, earlier this week.

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