The meeting dealt with the numerous challenges facing the Serbian and other non-Albanian population in the southern province. The discussion focused on Albin Kurti's unilateral escalating moves on ethical grounds, the problem of seizing property owned by Serbs, the ban on the use of our currency, with the Committee Chairperson particularly emphasising the increasingly frequent problem of sexual harassment of women, especially in the north of the Province, which indicates compromised security, limited access to public services, institutional discrimination and violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Chairperson Nikolic informed the Ombudsman about the work of the Committee, its activities to date and its close cooperation with the Office for Kosovo and Metohija. She stressed that the general security and institutional situation in the field is deteriorating every day, which is reflected in numerous examples of threats to the fundamental rights of the Serbian people, as well as other non-Albanian population. She pointed out that over the past year and more, over 20% of Serbs have left Kosovo-Metohija, due to systematic pressure, institutional discrimination and direct security threats by the Albin Kurti regime. Particular emphasis was placed on the examples of a large number of arrests of our compatriots in Kosovo-Metohija, without any material evidence or culpability for the acts they are accused of. The case of the arrest of civil servant Igor Popovic was also mentioned, as well as the reasons for his unfounded arrest, which further undermines citizens' trust in the institutions and creates a climate of fear and insecurity. The conversation also touched on the need to support the economic empowerment of the Serbian community, emphasising that assistance is provided to unemployed people in Kosovo-Metohija through institutional mechanisms and in cooperation with competent authorities, with the aim of encouraging employment, self-employment and the retention of young people in the Province.

Ombudsman Zoran Pasalic expressed his full support for the efforts being made to preserve the rights of the Serbian people in Kosovo-Metohija and stressed the importance of constantly monitoring the situation on the ground. Pasalic informed the Committee Chairperson about the initiative of the Ombudsman institution to open an ombudsman's office in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica and asked for assistance in the possible implementation of this undertaking. The aim of this initiative would be to provide citizens in Kosovo-Metohija with direct access to the protection of their rights and to strengthen the institutional presence of the Republic of Serbia in these difficult circumstances in the Province.

In the course of the meeting, an agreement was reached to intensify cooperation between the Committee on Kosovo-Metohija, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and the Ombudsman, and Pasalic emphasised that, using his international contacts, he would make efforts to familiarize his fellow ombudsmen with the situation and challenges facing the citizens in Kosovo-Metohija in more detail.

The officials agreed that it is important to strengthen institutional capacities and continuously monitor the situation in Kosovo-Metohija in order to respond more efficiently to the needs of the citizens and provide adequate support to the most vulnerable.

The Chairperson of the Committee on Kosovo-Metohija and the Ombudsman concluded that they will continue to cooperate on protecting the human rights and preserving institutional support for the citizens of Kosovo-Metohija.