EULEX elaborates on "entry ban"
The EU mission in Kosovo, EULEX, will not look to ban entry for Serbian politicians traveling to Kosovo, its latest statement seems to suggest.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Monday, May 31, 2010
EULEX spokesperson Irina Gudaljevic told Serbian B92 tv that the controversial announcement, made earlier this week, - now described as "increased control of delegations from Serbia coming to Kosovo" - "primarily concerns armed persons escorting politicians".
"Entry into Kosovo will not be allowed with weapons that have not been approved in advance, and all persons who carry weapons without authorization will be turned back," said the spokesperson.
"This procedure has been in place for over a year and it has been adhered to by all sides involved in Serbian government officials visits announced in advance, and visits of those who require police escort. We expect all to adhere to the existing procedures," said Gudaljevic, and added:
"What I'd like to stress is that this concerns persons who enter Kosovo with arms as politicians' escort, not citizens of Serbia and not private visits. There is freedom of movement for private visits and they follow the usual measures, and can enter Kosovo freely."
Just a few days before this statement, EULEX announced that it had introduced a ban on unapproved entry into Kosovo for Serbian politicians and officials.
Serbian Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic reacted to the news in a strongly-worded statement demanding that the EU mission reverse its decision.
President Boris Tadic also commented on the announcement made in Pristina by saying that EULEX had "no right to impose bans on Serbian citizens".
