Four months after the EU-dubbed ‘terrorist attack’ by Serb militants in the north of Kosovo and pledges of possible measures against Serbia pending the outcome of Pristina’s investigation, the EU Commission insists on a ‘final report’ with authorities in Kosovo saying they have already provided them with evidence and proof of Belgrade’s involvement, calling on them for a response.
The attack in Banjska saw a large group of armed Serb militants attack Kosovo police, resulting in the death of police officer Afrim Bunjaku, followed by a police shootout that killed three militants. A significant cache of weapons and ammunition was seized in the following days, leading to suspicions a much larger attack was planned.
Identified attackers include Kosovo-Serb political party Serb List former vice-president Milan Radoicic, who Serbian President later called a “freedom fighter”, Bojan Mijailovic, the former bodyguard of ex-minister and intelligence chief Aleksander Vulin, and another individual, reportedly linked to Vucic’s son.
The EU Commission clarified that measures could be deployed against Serbia if evidence of state involvement was found.
Euractiv asked the Commission if they had received the outcome of the Kosovo authorities’ investigation and their thoughts on its findings.
“In relation to the final report on the attacks in Banjska, prepared by Kosovo, there is nothing new. We have not yet received the final report,” responded spokesperson Peter Stano.
Euractiv then asked authorities in Kosovo for an update. “The Commission has been provided with reports, proof, and evidence of Serbia’s act of aggression on 24 September, and there should be a serious reaction from the EU,” a political source with direct knowledge of the investigation told Euractiv on the condition of anonymity.
They added that there is also no information on what the EU considers a “final report” but insist that they have had all of the information gathered.
UK stance is clear
Meanwhile, UK Foreign Minister David Cameron made it clear to parliament that Serbia was involved in the attack.
Following a visit to Kosovo, he said, “We must show our growing disappointment with the behaviour of the Serbian Government. Of course, we have not changed our minds to give Serbia a chance for Euro-Atlantic integration. But I think there is frustration with their behaviour, and we should be clear about that. Whether the EU and the US share this frustration, I don’t know, you have to ask them. But, from the conversations I had, I felt there was disappointment because what happened in Banjska was a moment of great danger.”
He added the government knows very clearly what happened on 24 September in the Serb-majority north of the country.
When asked about Cameron’s assessment of the situation and involvement of the Serbian government, the Commission spokesperson said, “We don’t comment on comments of non-EU Foreign Secretaries.”
Last week, Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Xhelal Svecal, asked the Kosovo state prosecutor to publish the results of the investigation, stating there was enough evidence for it to be closed. Prime Minister Albin Kurti has also requested they be published.
Going easy
Concerns that the EU is going easy on Serbia continue to grow, with various hypotheses put forward including fears over migration. It’s believed the EU sees Serbia’s cooperation as crucial to preventing influxes of migrants through the Western Balkans.
The country is also home to one of Europe’s largest lithium deposits, an essential component for making electric vehicles. In 2023, the EU signed a letter of intent with Serbia for a partnership on batteries and critical raw materials, including lithium.
Furthermore, Serbia’s links with Russia, including political, historical and economic, mean the EU wants to keep the country close rather than lose it to the east. Serbia remains the only European country that has not fully aligned its foreign policy with that of the EU.
Meanwhile, Serbian elections held on 17 December have been widely condemned for being undemocratic and full of irregularities, with nationwide protests resulting in heavy-handed police action with some students still in custody.
There is no sign of the investigation into the vote as called for by the EU and other international bodies, yet no consequences seem forthcoming from the same corner.
When asked by Euractiv last week, the Commission spokesperson said simply that reform and improvement was needed “as the proper functioning of Serbia’s democratic institutions is at the core of Serbia’s EU accession process.”
This will likely do little to dissuade Belgrade, which has made little progress on EU integration since talks opened in 2012. Furthermore, only 33% of Serbs want to join the union.
‘Kidnap’ and ‘torture’
The situation got even worse in early January when a pro-Kosovo independence Serb opposition politician, Nikola Sandulovic, posted a video of him laying flowers on the grave of a member of the Jashari family. Adem Jashari and almost 60 of his family members, including women and children, were killed on one day by Serb police during the Kosovo-Serbia war.
On 3 January, the family reported that a black van appeared in front of the house, and members of the Serbian Security Information Agency (BIA) seized Sandulovic, taking them to their headquarters and attacking him. Reportedly paralysed on one side and suffering multiple injuries, he is being held in custody with no access to independent healthcare, his lawyer and family say.
It is understood he will face trial for causing or inciting “national, racial, or religious hatred or intolerance among peoples or ethnic communities living in Serbia”.
Euractiv asked Stano whether the EU Commission would take any action over the incident.
Describing it as “alleged detention” and “ill-treatment”, Stano said they are “following this case closely and are in contact with relevant authorities and stakeholders. It is important to have full clarity of the facts around this case.”
He added the Commission expects the rights of all citizens to be upheld but left the ball in the court of Serbian authorities.
(Alice Taylor | Euractiv.com)
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Source: euractiv.com
