Serbian Orthodox Metropolitan Discusses Worsening Kosovo Situation with U.S. Senator Ernst

Serbian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Theodosius met with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst and representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Pristina at the Gračanica Monastery to discuss the worsening plight of Serbs and the Church in Kosovo. The Metropolitan conveyed serious concerns about the deteriorating security and institutional situation, noting an increasing sense of insecurity among the Serbian population.

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The Metropolitan pointed to the serious concern of the Eparchy due to the, as assessed, visible deterioration of the security and institutional situation and the increasingly pronounced sense of insecurity among the Serbian population.

He pointed to recent events that have deeply worried the Eparchy, including issues during religious gatherings at Gazimestane and the Monastery of the Holy Archangels, various forms of institutional and administrative pressure, the recent demolition of Serbian homes near Gazivode Lake, and several arrests of Serbs without clear evidence of criminal responsibility. These incidents, he noted, occur amidst prolonged political uncertainty in Pristina.

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The Metropolitan pointed out that a series of events have been recorded in the last period which, according to the assessment of the Eparchy, are deeply worrying.

The discussions also touched upon the planned gradual integration of Kosovo Police into the KFOR security system around the Visoki Dečani Monastery. Metropolitan Theodosius emphasized the Eparchy's careful monitoring of this process, given the existing low level of institutional trust and the broader security landscape. He stressed the importance of KFOR assuring that this integration does not signify a transfer of primary security responsibility for the monastery but rather a coordinated effort within the existing KFOR protection system.

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The Metropolitan emphasized that the Eparchy is following this process with special care, considering the existing low level of institutional trust and the broader security situation.

Furthermore, the Metropolitan highlighted the situation in North Mitrovica, identifying the bridge over the Ibar River as a sensitive point due to past security incidents and inter-ethnic tensions. While acknowledging the need for professional cooperation among security actors, he suggested that transferring primary security responsibility from KFOR at Visoki Dečani and the Mitrovica bridge would be premature under current circumstances.

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The Metropolitan pointed out the situation in North Mitrovica, assessing that the bridge over the Ibar River, as a place that has been connected with serious security incidents and inter-ethnic tensions many times in the past, still represents a very sensitive point.