Serbia sends "provocative" train to Kosovo with words "Kosovo is Serbia" in 21 languages

Serbian authorities have sent a controversial train to north Kosovo, despite protests from its former province. The Russian-made train is inscribed with words "Kosovo is Serbia" in 21 languages, including Albanian.

Belgrade is considering setting up a regular railway line to the Serbian enclave in Kosovska Mitrovica, said Marko Djuric, head of the Serbian government office for Kosovo, on Saturday.

Djuric was speaking at a promotional event for the line, sending off the specially designed train on its first official journey to the former Serbian province. The move sparked outrage in the mostly Albanian-populated Kosovo, as the outside of the cars is painted in Serbian national colors and bears the slogan "Kosovo is Serbian" in 21 languages.

Inside, the carriage walls display medieval frescos from Serbian-built Christian monasteries in Kosovo, which today is predominantly Muslim.

Serbian official Djuric, however, said that the choice of decor should not be an issue.
"I don't know why anyone would view these images, which are part of the world's cultural heritage, as a provocation," he told reporters.
  (AP, Beta, dw)
14/1/17
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• Serbia acusa a Kosovo de impedir la reapertura de la comunicación ferroviaria