Kelmendi Calls for Vučić and Dačić to Be Banned from Entering Kosovo

The latest statements by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović have sparked strong reactions in Kosovo.

Professor Muhamet Kelmendi believes that these statements demonstrate that Serbia’s official policy toward Kosovo remains unchanged. He is calling for more decisive action by institutions, both diplomatically and to increase the country’s defence capabilities.

According to Kelmendi, declaring the Serbian minister persona non grata was the right decision, but it is not enough. He is calling for President Aleksandar Vučić and Minister Ivica Dačić to also be banned from entering Kosovo, while institutions should consider launching legal proceedings against Serbian officials who, he says, spread hatred and make threatening statements.

He says that Sbezhana Pauković, whom he describes as a Serbian ultranationalist, and circles within the “pleiad of Serbian national-fascists” driven by revanchist ideas, have been linked to four wars and conflicts in the Balkans.

For Kelmendi, her statement reflects the position of the Serbian Government itself and the Serbian state as a whole. He says the same position was expressed by Ivica Dačić in the statement: “Anyone who is not Serbian should leave for Albania.”

Kelmendi states that he sees no major political party, either in government or in opposition, that holds a different position from the aim of reclaiming Kosovo and Serbianising the Dardanian territory.

Under these circumstances, he calls the decision to declare this figure non grata justified, but stresses that it should not stop at this measure alone. According to him, the Government of Kosovo should also act against the Government of Serbia, President Vučić and Dačić.

“They should be banned from entering Kosovo, and Kosovo’s institutions should consider the possibility of opening legal proceedings against individuals who incite racial hatred or make threatening statements. There is no reason to wait,” he says.

Referring to the latest statements by Serbian officials, Kelmendi believes that Serbia has not changed its approach toward Kosovo.

He calls on Kosovo’s institutions, Albania, the European Union and the United States of America to respond to the situation. He also underscores the need for Kosovo to strengthen its security through a larger army, a more capable and better-equipped police force, as well as improved working conditions and salaries in the security sector.

“The Serbian state has not changed its positions. The statement by this Serbian racist figure shows the position of the Serbian state,” Kelmendi says.

He adds that the threats he describes as radical and fascist require political clarity and an institutional response, while Kosovo must build a police force and army capable of defending the Republic.

According to him, a military force of 4,000 soldiers is not sufficient to defend the country. He calls for a larger active army, a capable and well-equipped police force, as well as salaries and working conditions in line with the economic situation.

“We hope that the next government will address these issues. Time is moving quickly, and the situation requires vigilance and military and institutional preparedness to defend the country,” he concludes.

The Serbian minister has been declared an undesirable person and has been banned from entering Kosovo.