The Head of the Governmental Commission on Missing Persons, Andin Hoti, has confirmed that the planned meeting in Brussels on the issue of Missing Persons did not take place. Hoti accused Serbia’s chief negotiator, Petar Petković, of orchestrating the failure of the meeting.
The meeting, scheduled for January 15, 2025, was intended to focus on the issue of missing persons in a technical format with representatives from Kosovo and Serbia. According to Hoti, Serbia refused to participate despite the meeting being arranged two weeks in advance.
Accusations Against Petković
“Petković’s presence in Brussels is clear evidence that he orchestrated the failure of this meeting, turning a critical technical process into a shameful tool of politicization,” Hoti stated. He emphasized that Petković’s attendance was inappropriate as the meeting was intended solely for discussions on missing persons in a technical format.
Hoti dismissed Serbia’s justification for its absence — citing a police operation in Kosovo targeting parallel Serbian structures — as baseless and harmful to efforts to clarify the fate of missing persons.
Kosovo’s Actions and EU Support
Despite the meeting’s cancellation, Kosovo’s delegation held discussions with European Union representatives, presenting their planned agenda. Hoti noted that EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčák assured the delegation that Kosovo’s constructive approach and demands would be communicated to EU member states.
“We remain committed to finding a fair and sustainable resolution for the issue of Missing Persons,” Hoti emphasized.
Serbia’s Reaction to Kosovo’s Police Action
The Serbian side attributed its absence to what it described as “unprecedented institutional violence” by Kosovo. This claim followed a joint operation by Kosovo’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and police forces, which dismantled illegal Serbian parallel structures in ten municipalities, including tax offices and postal services.
Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, confirmed the closure of these structures, calling it a coordinated effort to ensure the rule of law.
First Planned Joint Meeting
The Brussels meeting was intended to be the first between Kosovo and Serbia under the Joint Commission on Missing Persons. Its failure marks a setback in efforts to uncover the fate of thousands of individuals who remain missing from the 1990s conflicts.
