Patriarch Porfirije: Situation in Kosovo-Metohija serious

BELGRADE - Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church said on Tuesday the situation in Kosovo-Metohija was very serious and that tensions had reached a point where paths that no one wanted could easily be opened up, leading to no peace or any kind of balance.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the patriarch said he had personally asked Vucic to do everything to preserve peace and avert armed conflicts.

The patriarch was denied entry to Kosovo-Metohija on Monday.

He said he was truly sad, not only personally but also for Kosovo-Metohija Serbs, monks and members of the clergy, who had expected him to visit the Patriarchate of Pec as their church leader.

"I will just say that, to our people and our church and the church leader, the Patriarchate of Pec is the same as the Vatican and the Lateran are to the Catholics. Imagine someone banning the pope from entering the Vatican or going to the Lateran, for no reason whatsoever, with comical explanations and just because they feel like doing so," the patriarch said.

He said everything must be done to preserve peace at all costs.

"I personally asked the president and the entire government to do everything to preserve peace and avert armed conflicts because they will bring no good to anyone. I am asking the same from those who are in power in Pristina, but I am equally asking the big powers and important political institutions in centres of power that they, too, do everything to preserve peace and that human lives be an interest greater than any interest," the patriarch said.