Kurti visits Sarajevo amid protests involving Serbs

(ANSA) - SARAJEVO, 07 DIC - New diplomatic tensions have emerged following Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's visit to Sarajevo, which began Thursday evening. The Serb-Bosniaks, who do not recognize Kosovo's independence, view this visit as a provocation. They have protested and criticized Croatian and Bosniak officials for providing Kurti with a platform that they believe is designated for leaders of sovereign nations.
    During his visit, Kurti was welcomed at the tripartite presidency headquarters only by Zeljko Komsic, the Croatian member, and Denis Becirovic, the Bosniak member. In contrast, the Serb member, Zeljka Cvijanovic, also the rotating president of the Presidency, did not attend.
    "The presidency members, Zeljko Komsic and Denis Becirovic, abused their positions by using the presidential building for a private visit by Albin Kurti. Bosnia and Herzegovina does not recognize Kosovo; if they wanted to socialize, they should have met in one of Sarajevo's cafes, not in a joint institutional space," Cvijanovic said.
    Following this, Kurti met with members of the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, although the three Serb ministers were absent from the meeting. Additionally, Serbian leaders in Belgrade protested Kurti's visit.
    Bosnia and Herzegovina has not recognized Kosovo's independence due to the opposition from Republika Srpska, the Serb-majority entity within the country. In contrast, the Bosniak-Croat Federation supports the recognition of Kosovo. An agreement to abolish the visa regime between Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina remains unratified, as representatives from Republika Srpska have blocked it.
    Currently, Kosovo citizens wishing to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina can only obtain a visa in exceptional cases, which requires the signature of the Bosnian foreign minister. They must apply for a visa in Belgrade, Skopje, or Podgorica for a fee of 31 euros. Conversely, Bosnian citizens need a visa, a guarantee letter, a hotel reservation, or an employment contract to travel to Kosovo. The visa costs 40 euros and is issued by the Kosovo embassy in Zagreb. (ANSA).