Kosovo declares Telekom Srbija director persona non grata

Kosovo's acting Interior Minister, Dželjalj Svečlja, has officially declared Vladimir Lučić, the director of Telekom Srbija, a persona non grata, permanently banning him from entering, transiting, or residing in Kosovo. The decision, signed on August 7, was announced by Svečlja on social media.

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Nobody can enter the territory of the Republic of Kosovo and act or declare themselves against the constitutional order, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Svečlja stated that no one is permitted to enter Kosovo and act or speak against its constitutional order, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. He emphasized that promoting or supporting policies that undermine Kosovo's institutions will not be tolerated. Svečlja cited Lučić's public statements as the direct reason for declaring him persona non grata, asserting that these statements aimed to threaten Kosovo's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional order.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs further assessed that Lučić's statements supported activities and policies challenging Kosovo's institutional competencies, particularly in electronic communications and telecommunications infrastructure. Citing the Law on Foreigners, the ministry concluded that his statements pose a threat to public order and security, leading to the permanent entry ban.

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Based on the public statements of the director of Telekom Serbia, Vladimir Lučić, I made the decision to declare him a person non grata in the Republic of Kosovo, with a permanent ban on entry, stay, and transit through the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.

Lučić, when reached by media, stated he had not received official notification of the ban but deemed such a decision regrettable if true, expressing hope for its withdrawal. He had recently announced plans for six new Telekom Srbija facilities in Kosovo and new investments in fixed telephony for Serbian communities, including locations in Parteš, Gnjilane, Pasjan, Zubin Potok, Ranilug, and Štrpce.

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We will not tolerate the promotion or support of policies that undermine the authority of our institutions and question the statehood of the Republic of Kosovo.