Greek appointed to protect Serb religious heritage in Kosovo

Feb 16, 2010, 17:46 GMT

Pristina - A Greek diplomat serving in Pristina was appointed Tuesday to help restore and protect Serb heritage in Kosovo, the European Union and Greek missions said in a statement.

Ambassador Dimitris Moschopoulos 'will facilitate the development of integrated conservation policies for religious and cultural heritage and will actively engage in increasing awareness of and respect for cultural heritage,' the joint statement said.

Moschopoulos heads the Greek liaison office in Pristina. Greece, like Serbia a mostly Orthodox Christian country, is one of only five EU nations that have not recognized Kosovo, with its mostly Albanian and Muslim population.

Kosovo declared independence two years ago, but Serbia, which sees the province as its heartland and cradle of the Serbian Orthodox Church, continues to fight the secession by diplomatic means.

Albanians have destroyed many Serbian shrines since the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ousted Belgrade's security forces from Kosovo to end bloodshed in 1999. The most recent wave of destruction occurred in Kosovo-wide riots six years ago.

The protection and restoration of Serbian cultural and religious monuments is a commitment Kosovo assumed when it declared its independence, with the backing of the United States and the majority of leading western nations.

Some of the Serbian monuments in Kosovo are centuries old but must remain under protection of NATO peacekeepers. The 13th-century Decani monastery near Pec is, for instance, under the protection of UNESCO and also of Italian soldiers stationed there.