The European Union must not remain silent on the entry ban of Patriarch Porfirije to Kosovo and Metohija
The renowned Cypriot diplomat and journalist, Lukas Furlas, the current Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Serbia, has expressed strong protest against the decision of the Priština authorities to ban Serbian Patriarch Porfirije from entering Kosovo and Metohija and the centuries-old See of the Serbian Patriarchate in Peć.
In a letter addressed to Antonio Costa – President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen – President of the European Commission, and Roberta Metsola – President of the European Parliament, Furlas condemns the provocative action of the authorities in Priština, emphasizing that it constitutes a clear violation of religious freedoms and fundamental human rights as defined by international law and the values upon which modern Europe is built.
– Such behavior cannot and must not be tolerated. The Kosovo authorities act arbitrarily and interpret international agreements, such as the 2013 Brussels Agreement, solely in a way that suits them, rejecting and refusing to accept the presence of the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in his historical See.
Member of the European Parliament Furlas calls on the European Union to take urgent action and apply the necessary action and proper pressure on the authorities in Priština to ensure that the Serbian Patriarch is allowed to freely visit the holy churches and monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija and carry out his mission without hindrance.
– The European Union cannot remain silent in the face of this blatant injustice. The protection of religious rights and the preservation of secularism are principles that are non-negotiable and require immediate action.
It should be recalled that His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije met on 25 February 2025, at the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade with Mr. Lukas Furlas, Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Serbia. His Holiness the Patriarch informed his guest about the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and the daily challenges faced by the Serbian people together with their Church, particularly emphasizing that he, as the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, has been repeatedly denied entry to Kosovo and Metohija, where the Patriarchate of Peć, the historical See of Serbian Patriarchs, is located. This represents a violation of the right to freedom of movement, which is a fundamental prerequisite for all other freedoms as envisaged by the legal acts on which the European Union is based. The guest promised that upon returning to Brussels, he would officially inform members of the European Parliament about this issue.
In a letter addressed to Antonio Costa – President of the European Council, Ursula von der Leyen – President of the European Commission, and Roberta Metsola – President of the European Parliament, Furlas condemns the provocative action of the authorities in Priština, emphasizing that it constitutes a clear violation of religious freedoms and fundamental human rights as defined by international law and the values upon which modern Europe is built.
– Such behavior cannot and must not be tolerated. The Kosovo authorities act arbitrarily and interpret international agreements, such as the 2013 Brussels Agreement, solely in a way that suits them, rejecting and refusing to accept the presence of the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in his historical See.
Member of the European Parliament Furlas calls on the European Union to take urgent action and apply the necessary action and proper pressure on the authorities in Priština to ensure that the Serbian Patriarch is allowed to freely visit the holy churches and monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija and carry out his mission without hindrance.
– The European Union cannot remain silent in the face of this blatant injustice. The protection of religious rights and the preservation of secularism are principles that are non-negotiable and require immediate action.
It should be recalled that His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije met on 25 February 2025, at the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade with Mr. Lukas Furlas, Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Serbia. His Holiness the Patriarch informed his guest about the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and the daily challenges faced by the Serbian people together with their Church, particularly emphasizing that he, as the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, has been repeatedly denied entry to Kosovo and Metohija, where the Patriarchate of Peć, the historical See of Serbian Patriarchs, is located. This represents a violation of the right to freedom of movement, which is a fundamental prerequisite for all other freedoms as envisaged by the legal acts on which the European Union is based. The guest promised that upon returning to Brussels, he would officially inform members of the European Parliament about this issue.
