Kosovo’s government has strongly condemned Serbia’s efforts to stop a donation aimed at supporting Albanian farmers in the Preševo Valley, a region that includes Preševo, Bujanovac, and Medve?a.
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi, said the donation, requested by the National Council of Albanians, was designed to improve living conditions and boost economic growth in the area. He noted that the Preševo Valley remains one of Serbia’s most underdeveloped regions, with high levels of poverty and unemployment, especially among young people.
On October 26, the National Council of Albanians opened a call for farmers, receiving over 1,178 applications. However, Serbia’s Ministry for Human Rights and Minorities intervened, demanding the cancellation of the call.
Bislimi said that this move coincided with International Human Rights Day on December 10, a day when the Albanian communities in Preševo, Bujanovac, and Medve?a were denied the opportunity for help from Kosovo.
He insisted that Serbia had no right to block Kosovo’s aid and called on international bodies, including the EU, OSCE, and the Quint countries, to monitor the situation and protect the rights of Albanians in the region.
Kosovo, Bislimi added, remains committed to supporting Albanians in the Preševo Valley and safeguarding their national and cultural identity.
Meanwhile, Nevzad Lutfiu, head of the National Council of Albanians in Preševo, confirmed that Serbia’s Ministry had asked the Council to cancel the competition.
“The ministry claims that the decision is illegal and insists we cancel it,” Lutfiu said. However, he confirmed that the council would not revoke the call and promised to inform the public about future steps after consulting with the Kosovo government.
