France has expressed hope for the swift release of Igor Popović, Deputy Director of Serbia’s so-called “Office for Kosovo,” stressing that freedom of movement is a prerequisite for continuing the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.
“France reiterates its support for the European-facilitated dialogue, aimed at normalizing relations between Serbia and Kosovo. This requires that negotiators and their teams be able to move freely and safely in both countries. We hope that the Serbian deputy negotiator will be released as soon as possible,” France stated in its official release.
Furthermore, France urged both sides to refrain from unilateral actions that could undermine efforts to restart the dialogue. The country also welcomed the efforts of EU Special Representative Peter Sorensen in facilitating this process.
Igor Popović was detained by Kosovo authorities following a provocative speech in the village of Hoqë e Madhe (Rahovec municipality), in which he referred to the Kosovo Liberation Army (UÇK) as a “terrorist organization” and accused it of killing and disappearing Serbs and Roma during the 1998–1999 conflict in Kosovo.
