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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia will do everything to protect Visoki Decani monastery

Belgrade, 18 May 2021

Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selakovic stated today that the Visoki Decani monastery is one of the greatest Serbian sacred sites, but unfortunately also one of the most endangered monuments of the world culture in Europe and the world.

Selakovic noted that the fact that the interim authorities in Pristina request from the organisation Europa Nostra to remove this monastery from the UNESCO’s list of the seven most endangered localities of cultural heritage in Europe speaks enough about their intentions.

The fact that a site is not endangered is proved by deeds, not by calls on Twitter or political pressures. And it is especially not proved by confiscating 24 hectares of the monastery’s property, by building a main road near the monastery in violation of a court decision, armed attacks, terrorist graffiti on the monastery’s walls or verbal threats to the brotherhood, the Minister said.

According to Selakovic, the brotherhood of Abbot Sava Janjic are constantly receiving threats, whereas the Visoki Decani monastery is the most frequently attacked facility of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija although it is under constant protection from KFOR.

The Minister pointed out that the fact that the monastery is guarded by KFOR round-the-clock speaks volumes about the assessment of the United Nations and their military mission in Kosovo and Metohija on the endangerment of the monastery. He added that reports from UNESCO, the US Department of State and other institutions and organisations also testify to that end.