Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuci said on Sept. 22 that the president and prime minister, Fatmir Sejdiu and Hashim Thaci, respectively, have expressed the desire to attend the inauguration of Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej at the Pec Patriarchy on Oct. 3.

Kuci's statement to Radio Kosovo is the first official confirmation that top Kosovo officials wish to attend the ceremony at the Pec Patriarchy.

Kuci's job in the Kosovo government is to approve and carry out procedures related to Serbian government officials' visits to Kosovo.

BETA's sources from the Kosovo authorities earlier said that the participation of Serbian senior government officials in the inaugural ceremony will depend on whether the Pristina representatives are invited.

The move is explained by the fact that this is a religious event.

Belgrade daily Press in its Sept. 22 issue reported that the Serbian Orthodox Church had turned down Thaci and Sejdiu's demand, adding that sending invitations to Kosovo officials would mean the church recognized Kosovo's statehood.