Kosovo has rejected a request by Serbia's prime minister to visit a Serb-majority town in Kosovo, arguing that it would "interfere" with local polls next month.
Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci said on October 2, "We do not want officials from Belgrade to interfere with Kosovo's elections."
Because Kosovo and Serbia do not have diplomatic relations, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic had to request approval for the visit through the EU diplomatic missions in both capitals.
Dacic wanted to visit the southern town of Strpce the day after local election campaigning begins on October 4.
Local elections that will help set up an association of Serbian municipalities with broad powers were called for November 3 as a part of an EU-mediated normalization agreement.
The agreement was reached by Dacic and his Kosovar counterpart, Hashim Thaci, in April.
Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci said on October 2, "We do not want officials from Belgrade to interfere with Kosovo's elections."
Because Kosovo and Serbia do not have diplomatic relations, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic had to request approval for the visit through the EU diplomatic missions in both capitals.
Dacic wanted to visit the southern town of Strpce the day after local election campaigning begins on October 4.
Local elections that will help set up an association of Serbian municipalities with broad powers were called for November 3 as a part of an EU-mediated normalization agreement.
The agreement was reached by Dacic and his Kosovar counterpart, Hashim Thaci, in April.
