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EU: Serbia takes insufficient steps against those responsible for attacks in northern Kosovo

Politiko 2024-12-06 13:47:59

EU: Serbia takes insufficient steps against those responsible for attacks in

The European Union will reiterate its call for Serbia to "urgently" bring to justice those responsible for the violence in northern Kosovo during 2023 and to fully cooperate on these cases.

This call is expected to be part of the enlargement conclusions, which address Serbia, which are expected to be adopted later this month at the EU General Affairs Council.

Radio Free Europe has had access to the draft of these conclusions, which also call on Serbia to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and unilateral and provocative steps.

“The Council reiterates its strong condemnation of the acts of violence by Kosovo Serb protesters against citizens, [NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo] KFOR troops, law enforcement agencies and the media on 29 May 2023 and the violent attacks on Kosovo Police on 24 September 2023 in northern Kosovo. There is no justification for violence,” the draft conclusions, which have been distributed to EU member states, say.

"The Council reiterates its calls for Serbia to cooperate fully and take the necessary steps to urgently bring the perpetrators of the 2023 attacks to justice. The Council underlines the need for full accountability and deeply regrets that Serbia has taken insufficient steps in this regard," the document, which was accessed by Radio Free Europe, states.

In May 2023, in the north of Kosovo, inhabited by a Serb majority, local Serbs opposed the inauguration of new Albanian mayors, who emerged from the April elections of that same year, which were boycotted by Serbian parties and the population.

The protests culminated on May 29 in Zvecan, when protesters clashed with KFOR members, resulting in dozens of people from both sides being injured.

Meanwhile, on September 24, 2023, a group of armed Serbs attacked the Kosovo Police in Banjska, Zvečan, killing one Kosovo police officer. During the ensuing exchange of fire, three more Serb attackers were killed.

Kosovo blames Serbia for the attack, which denies involvement. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Milan Radoicic, former vice-president of the Serbian List, the largest Serb party in Kosovo that has the support of Belgrade.

Kosovo has filed indictments against him and dozens of other people and is demanding that Serbia extradite him to Kosovo.

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