The Serbian authorities have denied the visit to the Presheva Valley to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, for which the latter says that this was done without any reason or explanation. Until he added that regarding the issue of visits by state officials, they will act on the principles of reciprocity as a value of equality between the two states.

In a Facebook post, Sveçla said that his visit there was planned after the invitation on December 29, by the chairman of the Albanian National Council, Nevzad Lutfiu, for meetings at the headquarters of the Council in three municipalities.

Sveçla’s full reaction:

"On December 29, I received an invitation from Mr. Nevzad Lutfiu, Chairman of the Albanian National Council for a visit to Presheva, Medvegja and Bujanoc. According to the agenda, meetings were planned at the headquarters of the Council in three municipalities, as well as with the only Albanian MP in the Parliament of Serbia, Shaip Kamberi. I gladly accepted the invitation and started the preparations.

In compliance with the Brussels agreement and the practices so far, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora we sent the agenda and the necessary information of the delegation to the liaison office of Serbia for permission to enter Serbia and to carry out the visit.

Late last night, I was informed by our liaison officer in Belgrade that our request for today's visit to the Valley was rejected by the Serbian authorities without any explanation.

This act of Serbia towards my visit proves its destructive approach and continuous oppression towards the Albanians of the Valley.

This refusal without any justification from Serbia a few hours before the visit, does not diminish our goals and commitment to the Albanians of the Valley. Among other things, it will not diminish my desire and purpose to visit there, to share with the Albanians of the Valley the concerns and injustices they face and the commitments of the institutions of our Republic for them.

Regarding the issue of visits by state officials, we will act on the principles of reciprocity as a value of equality between our two states".