President spends Christmas in Kosovo

President Boris Tadic has spent the night in the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Visoki Decani, in Kosovo. He was attending Christmas Eve celebrations there along with the monks and several hundred Serbs. President spends Christmas in Kosovo Tadic will also attend Holy Liturgy at the monastery this Christmas Day, which Orthodox Serbs celebrate according to the Julian calendar. The president arrived to the 14th-century monastery on Wednesday afternoon, to send a message of peace "to all people". Tadic made a statement after this morning's Holy Liturgy at the monastery by saying that Kosovo needs reconciliation above all, both among individuals and among peoples, "because that is the solution to the sufferings and problems that stem from the past". The president also said that he believes reconciliation will happen in the future. "Today, we are in the Visoki Decani monastery, an Orthodox monastery that represents one of the most beautiful monuments of the Serb medieval architecture, but also brings together all other influences. Today is a chance to remind ourselves of all other Orthodox monasteries," said he, and noted that "a nation cannot exist without its identity". "We wish to preserve our identity as a European nation, as a common value just as this monastery is a common value of the world cultural heritage." "Serbia is looking for its place among others in Europe. It is demanding that its merits and existence in Kosovo and Metohija be recognized, and wherever it exists in Serbia, and in Europe, and the whole world," Tadic was quoted. Tadic said that on this Christmas, his message of peace went "not only to his compatriots, but also to [ethnic] Albanians". On Wednesday, in the nearby village of Decani, several hundred ethnic Albanians protested against the visit and blocked the road leading to the monastery. They approached a KFOR checkpoint, manned by Italian soldiers who also provide security for the shrine. The protesters managed to prevented people who wished to attend Christmas Eve and Christmas liturgies at the monastery from reaching their destination, a Tanjug reporter at the scene said. The surrounding area was peaceful. According to the monks, KFOR representatives told them the road from the monastery to the village would be unblocked for a short while, but also informed them that the organizers of the protest of ethnic Albanians were planning another gathering and road blockade for Wednesday night. At the same time, reporters covering Tadic's visit were unable to reach their offices and file their reports. Tadic in Decani this morning (Beta)

President spends Christmas in Kosovo

Tadić will also attend Holy Liturgy at the monastery this Christmas Day, which Orthodox Serbs celebrate according to the Julian calendar.

The president arrived to the 14th-century monastery on Wednesday afternoon, to send a message of peace "to all people".

Tadić made a statement after this morning's Holy Liturgy at the monastery by saying that Kosovo needs reconciliation above all, both among individuals and among peoples, "because that is the solution to the sufferings and problems that stem from the past".

The president also said that he believes reconciliation will happen in the future.

"Today, we are in the Visoki Dečani monastery, an Orthodox monastery that represents one of the most beautiful monuments of the Serb medieval architecture, but also brings together all other influences. Today is a chance to remind ourselves of all other Orthodox monasteries," said he, and noted that "a nation cannot exist without its identity".

"We wish to preserve our identity as a European nation, as a common value just as this monastery is a common value of the world cultural heritage."

"Serbia is looking for its place among others in Europe. It is demanding that its merits and existence in Kosovo and Metohija be recognized, and wherever it exists in Serbia, and in Europe, and the whole world," Tadić was quoted.

Tadić said that on this Christmas, his message of peace went "not only to his compatriots, but also to [ethnic] Albanians".

On Wednesday, in the nearby village of Dečani, several hundred ethnic Albanians protested against the visit and blocked the road leading to the monastery.

They approached a KFOR checkpoint, manned by Italian soldiers who also provide security for the shrine.

The protesters managed to prevented people who wished to attend Christmas Eve and Christmas liturgies at the monastery from reaching their destination, a Tanjug reporter at the scene said.

The surrounding area was peaceful.

According to the monks, KFOR representatives told them the road from the monastery to the village would be unblocked for a short while, but also informed them that the organizers of the protest of ethnic Albanians were planning another gathering and road blockade for Wednesday night.

At the same time, reporters covering Tadić's visit were unable to reach their offices and file their reports.