Kosovo can not declare UNMIK members 'non grata': UN

 UN meeting

 The United Nations Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK has said that it has not been officially informed by the Kosovo authorities about the declaration "persona non grata" of a Russian member of this mission.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that according to the laws under which UNMIK operates, the "persona non grata" doctrine could not be applied to the mission's personnel.

"We are aware that the authorities in Kosovo have declared 'persona non grata' a member of the staff of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK. We have not received any official communication in the mission from the Kosovo authorities regarding this notification. The doctrine of 'persona non grata' is not applicable to United Nations personnel not provided for in UNMIK Regulation 2000/47 (on the status, privileges and immunities of KFOR and UNMIK and their personnel in Kosovo)", It is said in the statement of Dujarric, Euronews reports.

Kosovo's Foreign Ministry announced on December 31 that it had declared a Russian UNMIK official a "persona non grata" because of its allegedly harmful activity, which has compromised Kosovo's national security. ”

The UN said any concerns about any UNMIK staff members should be addressed to the mission leadership so that UNMIK can address the issue “based on the status, privileges and immunities of UNMIK and its personnel”.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not provide details about the official declared non grata.

Kosovo even at the end of October last year had ordered the expulsion of two Russian diplomats, as has accused Moscow of "destabilizing" activities. The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani had said that the diplomats were ordered to leave the country.