The Serbian government has blocked transfers and donations from Kosovo intended to support the development and preservation of national identity in the Presheva Valley, representatives of the region announced on Thursday.
The head of the Albanian National Council, Enkel Rexhepi, said this is not a technical issue.
According to Rexhepi, the blocked funds from the Government of Kosovo directly affect 3,650 students, 94 orphaned children, 957 farmers, more than 756 students, 139 non-governmental organizations, and thousands of citizens who depend on these programs.
According to him, the facts show that this is being carried out through a bank by the Government of Serbia and Minister Demo Berisha.
Regarding the matter, the Government of the Kosovo said it has taken concrete steps to inform the European Union and other relevant international actors.
The government strongly condemned the continued blocking of financial resources intended for the Albanian National Council, describing it as unacceptable interference in the functioning of a legitimate institution representing Albanians in the Presheva Valley.
“This is the second time that funds allocated by the Government of Kosovo have been unjustifiably obstructed, demonstrating a repeated pattern of institutional blockage. The specific case concerns the decision of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo dated October 10, 2025, through which 304,511.16 euros were allocated to the Albanian National Council, funds that were never executed after being blocked by authorities in Serbia. Meanwhile, by April 2026, the total amount of blocked funds had reached 1,837,511.16 euros, intended for projects in education, culture, cultural heritage, as well as the preservation and protection of the national identity of Albanians in the Valley.”
The government said it has taken concrete steps to notify the European Union and relevant international actors, seeking a response to what it described as a practice that contradicts international standards for the protection of minority rights.
“We emphasize that the funds of the Republic of Kosovo are fully transparent — the source, purpose, and beneficiaries are clearly known — and they are distributed through an open and competitive process by the Albanian National Council. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo remains committed to continuing its support for Albanians in the Presheva Valley and Sandžak, using all democratic, institutional, and international mechanisms to stop this injustice and ensure respect for their rights,” the government said in its response to KosovaPress.
