Europa Nostra, last week on April 8, has decided to put Deçan Monastery on the list of the 7 most endangered monuments in Europe for 2021 along with 6 other monuments in Austria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, North Macedonia and Spain (https://www.europanostra.org/europa-nostra-and-eib-institute-announce-europes-7-most-endangered-heritage-sites-2021/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR12k9vwKtoWx1LWqO3ztNYOZcQt1-sGkQs0cewSuVUFwk1cQHq4up66Xbw_aem_ARtJ6pabhp6uCLtqIUMKGXpjc-PfJINebEkrwUmlZjEjScs9ktquLX0uzI-pB_gp0vrRmZ6CMQCHChFQI2THEB24). This announcement process has come after the initial nomination of the Shortlist of 12 heritage sites that was announced on December 10, 2020 (https://www.europanostra.org/12-european-heritage-sites-shortlisted-for-the-7-most-endangered-programme-2021/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1GYZzfdKr0Mj3zDSSUXN04kxe88mILZCdK6ktx-XAN-SPBWlC7Wgl6ouI_aem_ARtyRTyEHCZ0RxsEzJM4S4GPYNS6ryoC_Zkv4HTG-YdJ2sPVzjAWxNrFZQjboVV3TVjASEoDFXaq0tsyBBnslMtW).

After the announcement of the Monastery of Deçan in the list of the 7 most endangered monuments in Europe for 2021, the letter of the President of Kosovo, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu and the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Mr. Albin Kurti was published (https://www.mkrs-ks.org/?page=1%2C6%2C2468&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2mmYq8pfarPe_zgqeHLk-VGuYluNqUITUcYKf6WuphWWR05-BZiIdsF3g_aem_ARuY9pynhK_zwVY3PufEFTvQXMFJXSwoX7lW9O7NqUyVyqtj0cMA0bTtzkV8nujwzwXoczE7MXhche8_jhOiHq9O) together with the reaction of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Mr. Hajrulla Ceku (https://www.mkrs-ks.org/?page=1%2C6%2C2470&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR30wP5PM8xbTVSJDcmVCiRjDTbkZ3_pEQNtwCRJFPqn-c5QCDbSo2EPzSE_aem_ARsT17W3nqH2nQbreOHH5rcNid5pYdpCufkKif-iMLIsaAiw1iDvOhGJM1NfE1o7kuVYx3LvQOVs9BSS4WQJqwOy).

These letters and reactions have sufficient, professional and clear arguments for the position of the state of Kosovo, where the legal framework and protection status for the monastery is revealed, the exclusive rights of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the resolved dispute of the road to Plavë in Montenegro and other important elements that have been raised in the nomination of the locality.

However, EC Ma Ndryshe, although well-argued, considers the institutional reactions late and insufficient for the potential prevention of such an announcement for the Monastery of Deçan. Moreover, the letter of the president (in office) and the prime minister (incoming), sent on March 18, has not been made public or transparent to the public, and unfortunately we have been notified of their reaction after the damage has already been done (on the 9th of April 2021).

Europa Nostra responded to the letter dated March 18, 2020 on April 6 by "appreciating the strong commitment (of the institutions) to protect the progress of the cultural and natural heritage in Kosovo, which is part of the common cultural heritage of Europe and the World" where in the meantime Europa Nostra suggests holding a virtual video conference in the following weeks (https://www.facebook.com/MKRS.MKOS.MCYS/photos/a.230323913746739/3623586351087128/?__cft__[0]=AZWMFMq5mGHNcayc9TYX3kwqIEou6Ra9jxPGAOqw7bdJMk8ZaEhLkFlyuoA5Pw7jTMCTwjuGsPaXG7OPssD9WVa0zEaFvRroESoI-AGa0RiWa4GTyKWl_qLttLwz5EpCWOS2NfnXvQIEpeHoyKXUcxi5LDuPh9yvL3qxTySQLuRPmetb96lI2TIE13Jx33Fb5L4vziZj4cGdWBpWcaWNZJgj&__tn__=-UK-R).

Europa Nostra is a Pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, representing citizens' organizations working to preserve Europe's cultural and natural heritage. This organization is the voice of this movement for the relevant international bodies, especially the European Union, the Council of Europe and UNESCO. For over 50 years, this organization has been recognized as the most representative heritage organization in Europe with members from over 40 different countries, including two member organizations in Kosovo.

Otherwise, EC recommends that Europa Nostra, before publishing such a decision, should follow a more comprehensive approach, i.e. consult with representatives of the state of Kosovo, since the politicization of cultural heritage does not bring benefits, but rather creates new divisions and is against its own commitment to Europa Nostra, which we also share, for the proper protection of the cultural and natural heritage in the Western Balkans, as a vital component of our European journey and future.

EC Ma Ndryshe appeals to the state institutions, in particular to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports to be more proactive and deal with the identification and prevention of possible problems in the treatment of heritage, in the specific case of the heritage of the Serbian community since the consequences of neglect as seen can provide a distorted image of the reality on the ground. Kosovo, with its newly formed institutions, should be in the highest responsibility of its duty and create stable policies by controlling the situation in the country, instead of responding to the "consequences" after they have happened.

EC recommends that responsible institutions coordinate future actions with academia, professionals inside and outside the institutions, including civil society representatives.