President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić demanded that KFOR take over responsibility for all security matters in northern Kosovo instead of the country’s national police during a meeting with the ambassadors of the Quint countries and the Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia on Tuesday.
“I also asked why EULEX was denied by the so-called Kosovo police to be present during the operation conducted in the territory of northern Kosovo,” President Vučić said after the meeting, providing no evidence for his claim.
US Ambassador in Belgrade Christopher Hill also commented on the meeting, describing it as constructive. He characterised the situation in northern Kosovo as dangerous and complex, requiring additional efforts to achieve de-escalation.
“We have already condemned the attack on the Kosovo police and expressed condolences for the lives lost. We should all condemn the killing of a Kosovo police officer. We must encourage an even more constructive dialogue to calm and stabilise the situation,” Hill said.
In fact, the European Commission has defined the incident as a “terrorist attack”, while the US has fallen short of doing so.
In Serbia, 27 September was declared a Day of Mourning for the perpetrators of the terrorist attack. The move drew widespread criticism from the international community.
The situation in Banjska is currently calm but tense, according to residents. The Kosovo government has distributed food and supply packages to those living there, reiterating the commitment of police to the safety of the civilian population.
In the conflicts, four Serbs and one member of the Kosovo police were killed.
(Jelena Nikolić | Euractiv.rs)
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