Kosovo interior minister barred from entering Serbia amid rising tensions

Serbian authorities denied entry to Kosovo’s Interior Minister Xhelal Svechla this week, escalating tensions between the two countries, Kosovar officials said on Wednesday.

Svechla had sought to visit Presevo, a southern Serbian region with a significant Albanian population, on Monday and Tuesday, but his request was rejected, Kosovo’s Foreign and Diaspora Ministry stated. The minister had planned to meet with representatives of the Albanian National Council during the visit.

Kosovo authorities condemned the decision, stating that all required procedures for the visit had been completed. They accused Serbia of deliberately escalating tensions by blocking Kosovar officials from traveling to Presevo.

“This is not an isolated incident,” the ministry said, noting that Serbia has rejected multiple requests from senior Kosovar officials in recent days.

Serbian authorities did not provide a detailed explanation for the denial, but tensions between the two nations have been long-standing. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move recognized by the U.S., Türkiye, and much of the European Union, though Serbia continues to claim the territory.

Presevo is home to a large Albanian community, and the ministry highlighted the significance of Svechla’s planned meeting in the region. The rejection of his visit underscores the strained relationship between the two neighbors, which often centers on ethnic and territorial disputes.

In a reciprocal move, Serbia’s Information and Telecommunication Minister Dejan Ristic was also denied entry into Kosovo, Serbian officials said. However, Kosovar authorities argue that Serbia’s actions, including barring Svechla, are aimed at maintaining heightened tensions in the region.

The refusal of Svechla’s visit comes at a time when relations between Kosovo and Serbia remain fragile, with ethnic divisions in northern Kosovo frequently fueling unrest.