“It is not true that I said that the temple ‘Holy Savior’ in Pristina will be demolished. I cannot say it for any of the 50 000 objects in Kosovo which are illegally built,” said Dardan Gashi, Minister of Environment and Spatial planning, in the Government of Kosovo.
According to the new law, parties will have a chance to prove the legality of the facilities or ownership of the land, on which the facility is built. “The law is equal for all. That’s how not only church but also airport “Adem Jashari” and several mosques in Kosovo will have to prove legality and building permits.
Minister Dardan Gashi has denied allegations made in the statement of Ras-Prizren Diocese, according to which he blocked the work of the Mixed Commission for the implementation of protected areas. He stated that a break in work of the Mixed Commission is due to the retirement of EU representative, who is the chairman of this Commission.
Litigation between the Diocese and the University of Pristina in connection with the ownership of the land on which the temple was built is in progress, and its outcome as well as the decision of the municipal government will influence on the fate of the temple, whose construction was stopped in 1999.
This issue is very sensitive, says Minister Gashi, adding that no one can make ad hoc decisions.
Commenting on his request to UNESCO, for the establishment of a Commission which would re-examine the reconstruction of the Pec Patriarchate, Minister Gashi said that the response has not been received. As stated although he personally wished the commencement of the works as soon as possible, he is not expecting it due to the fact that Kosovo is not member of the UN, and therefore of UNESCO.
