Kosovo bans Serbian minister over 'ethnic cleansing' remarks

Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, announced that Serbian Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Snežana Paunović, has been declared a "persona non grata." This declaration results in a permanent ban on her entry into or transit through the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.

The decision stems from a statement Paunović made during a television appearance in Belgrade. While discussing the Kosovo War, she controversially stated that if she had been in Slobodan Milošević's position in 1998, she would have "ethnically cleansed Kosovo." This remark drew sharp criticism in Kosovo and condemnation from the European Union, with EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos stating that rhetoric justifying or glorifying ethnic cleansing has no place in Europe.

Paunović, who was born in Kosovo, later addressed the backlash on social media. She characterized the reaction in Kosovo as "nervousness" and accused Kosovar authorities of orchestrating a campaign of insults and threats against her. She further alleged that her opponents would be "sent back to their mother country, Albania," a statement that generated additional condemnation.

Despite the controversy, Paunović maintained her adherence to the policies of the Socialist Party of Serbia from the 1990s but suggested her statement had been misinterpreted. Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, is recognized by over 110 countries, though Serbia continues to dispute its sovereignty. The majority population in Kosovo is ethnic Albanian, with Serbs constituting about five percent.