Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (C) speaks with gathered locals, ethnic Serbs from northern Kosovo, during his visit to Gazivoda Lake near the city Zubin Potok in northern Kosovo, 08 September 2018. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will be in Kosovo on a two-day visit from 08 to 09 September. EPA-EFE/Djordje Savic

Kosovo’s government, on Sunday, cancelled a planned visit of the Serbian President to the Kosovo village of Banje due to “security reasons”.

200 Kosovo war veterans put up barricades at the entrance of the village Banje. Photo: BIRN

The decision came after 200 Kosovo war veterans who oppose Vucic’s visit to the village with Serbian majority of population put up barricades at the entrance of the village.

Ethnic Serbs from northern Kosovo pass a giant Serbian flag during a visit of Serbian President Vucic to Gazivoda Lake near the city Zubin Potok in northern Kosovo, 08 September 2018. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will be in Kosovo on a two-day visit from 08 to 09 September. EPA-EFE/Djordje Savic

“Vucic will not pass,” read the signs of the Kosovo war veterans.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic arrived for a two-day visit to Kosovo on Saturday.

As his first reaction to the road blockade, Vucic said that things must be resolved with “words and intelligence”, not with arms and weapons.

A Kosovo Special Police Officer keeps watch during a visit of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to Gazivoda Lake near the city Zubin Potok in northern Kosovo, 08 September 2018. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will be in Kosovo on a two-day visit from 08 to 09 September. EPA-EFE/Djordje Savic

He told journalists on the spot that he will try to use a bypass road to visit the village.

“I am even more strongly committed to preserve peace and Serbian institutions and Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija,” he said, Serbian news agency Tanjug reported.

Read more:

EU Urges Serbian and Kosovo Presidents to Meet

Serbian President Cancels Meeting With Kosovo Counterpart

Serbia-Kosovo Relations