Serbia continues to block financial assistance intended for Albanian students and farmers in the Preševo Valley, drawing sharp criticism from Albanian representatives who describe the actions as discriminatory, unjustified, and contrary to European Union principles.
In addition to €1 million allocated by the Government of Kosovo for Albanian farmers in the Preševo Valley, Serbian authorities have also blocked nearly €305,000 designated for school textbooks for Albanian pupils. These funds remain inaccessible despite being legally and transparently allocated.
Funds Blocked for Nearly Two Years
The €1 million in agricultural support, approved by Kosovo almost two years ago, has never reached its intended beneficiaries. The funds have remained frozen in the account of the Albanian National Council (ANC) due to administrative and legal obstructions imposed by Serbian institutions.
This issue was formally raised in Brussels in September by Kosovo’s Acting Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, during a meeting mediated by the EU. The Serbian delegation reportedly abandoned the meeting after the matter was addressed, further highlighting Belgrade’s unwillingness to engage constructively.
Textbook Funds Also Illegally Blocked
According to Bislimi’s office, Serbia has also repeatedly blocked a payment of €304,511.16, intended for:
- School textbooks for Albanian students
- International advocacy activities
- Institutional functioning of the Albanian National Council
“The funds have been rejected multiple times by the National Bank of Serbia without any legal, technical, or regulatory justification,” said Klisman Kadiu, adviser to the Acting Deputy Prime Minister.
He described the obstruction as “a deliberate administrative pattern aimed at preventing lawful and transparent support for the Albanian community in the Preševo Valley.”
Violation of Minority Rights and EU Principles
Local Albanian political representatives have strongly condemned Serbia’s actions, stating that blocking funds for school textbooks is particularly alarming, as providing free educational materials is a legal obligation of the Serbian state itself.
“It is completely illogical and unacceptable. Serbian institutions are obliged to provide textbooks free of charge, yet Kosovo stepped in out of national responsibility to ensure Albanian children are not left without basic educational materials,” said Ragmi Mustafi, former head of the Albanian National Council.
He emphasized that Serbia’s actions directly undermine minority rights, education access, and EU standards on equality and non-discrimination.
Kosovo Expands Support Despite Obstructions
Despite ongoing blockades, Kosovo has allocated a dedicated €4 million budget line for Albanians in the Preševo Valley in its 2026 budget, reinforcing its commitment to education, agriculture, and institutional support for the community.
Observers note that Serbia’s continued obstruction raises serious questions about its treatment of minorities and its credibility in the EU integration process, especially as such actions contradict core European values of inclusion, education, and human rights.
