Minister Gashi reacts to the ill-treatment of Kosovo artists by Serbian authorities

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Kujtim Gashi, regards as shameful and unacceptable the maltreatment of artists from Kosovo, who were to attend the festival "Mirdita - Dobar dan", to be held in Belgrade.

"Psychic ill-treatment and maltreatment that has been made to artists from Kosovo by Serbian border authorities traveling to Belgrade is an act that disgraces Serbia's state and is in contrast to the dialogue and normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia and further aggravates neighborly relations", said Minister Gashi.

"People of art and culture through their creative activity aim to build bridges between cultures and civilizations, and states should create facilitating policies for artists rather than stumble in their activities. It is also necessary for Serbia to abandon the old mindset and to prevent artists from Kosovo and not just those who carry out their activities", the minister replied.

"Through such acts of Serbian authorities, the agreements reached in Brussels for free movement and building of good relations between Kosovo and Serbia prove that Serbia is not ready to respect the documents signed in Brussels and in this case as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, I call on the European authorities to analyze this case as well as other earlier cases when Serbian authorities hinder Kosovo artists and athletes from participating in events organized in Serbia and pressure on Serbian authorities", said the minister.