Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, Donika Gërvalla, has condemned the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Porfirije, for appearing in Moscow alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin, just days after being allowed to visit Kosovo.
In a Facebook post, Gërvalla emphasized:
“The Serbian Orthodox Church has historically been part of the nationalist ideologies that fueled the wars in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo in the 1990s.”
Calls for EU Response
Gërvalla urged the European Union, as the mediator in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, to respond to Porfirije’s actions and statements:
“Porfirije made statements in Moscow that undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty and promote division throughout the region.”
She noted that:
“These views are not new. Unfortunately, the same legacy continues today — through statements that insult neighbors, deny reality, and attempt to destabilize the Balkans.”
A Message Against Hate and Division
Gërvalla stressed that Porfirije’s words are not insignificant:
“His remarks reflect a vision rooted in the past — not one that looks toward the future.”
She reiterated Kosovo’s commitment to:
“Peace, dialogue, and cooperation,” stating, “We are ready to work with political and religious leaders who build bridges — not deepen divides.”
A Clear Warning on EU Inaction
Gërvalla concluded with a strong message:
“We expect a clear response from the EU. Silence in the face of statements that undermine peace and incite hatred is not neutrality — it is the normalization of hate speech.”
“Kosovo will continue to defend European values and regional peace — with responsibility and a clear vision for the future.”
