Kosovo has officially declared Snezhana Paunoviqić, a high-ranking Serbian official, persona non grata. This declaration effectively bans her from regular entry and transit within the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. The decision follows remarks made by Paunoviqić, who reportedly stated, “if I were in the place of Slobodan Milošević, I would ethnically cleanse Kosovo in 1998.”
Kosovo authorities issued the declaration subsequent to the comments, which were made to the Serbian media outlet Kurir on the International Day of Remembrance of the Genocide in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The statement regarding ethnic cleansing prompted significant reactions from both political figures and institutional bodies within Kosovo. The controversy stems from the perceived contradiction between Paunoviqić’s recent comments and a previous statement attributed to her, which suggested that “The era of ethnic cleansing has ended.” The gravity of the alleged remarks concerning historical events in Kosovo led the government to take this measure. The declaration marks a notable diplomatic escalation between Kosovo and the Serbian official.
By declaring her persona non grata, Kosovo has asserted its stance regarding rhetoric perceived as undermining the region’s stability or referencing past atrocities. The move has drawn international attention to the ongoing political tensions surrounding Kosovo’s status and its relationship with Serbia.
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