Representatives from European Union member states engaged in discussions on Tuesday evening regarding recent developments in Kosovo. Some of these representatives have called for potential actions against Serbia, should its involvement in the attacks on Kosovo Police in Banjska, Zvecan, be confirmed.
According to sources within the EU, measures should also be considered if Serbia’s role in supplying arms to Kosovo, as recently discovered by Kosovo Police in the northern region, is verified.
On September 24, in that particular area, a confrontation occurred between Kosovo Police and an armed group, resulting in the tragic death of a police officer and three assailants. Eight additional suspects were subsequently arrested.
Sources from within the EU have stated, “The events in northern Kosovo on Sunday, the quantity of weapons uncovered, and the ongoing information we are receiving from the field are altering the situation significantly”.
The discussion reportedly included representatives from the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) and the EU’s Special Envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajčák.
Throughout the meeting, unequivocal support was expressed for Lajčák to continue facilitating dialogue between the two nations and to implement the agreements that have been reached thus far.
The most recent round of high-level dialogue, held on September 14, concluded without any tangible results.
EU member states have collectively condemned the assault on Kosovo Police, urging a thorough investigation into the matter. Additionally, some of these states have called for the European Union to maintain a balanced approach when dealing with Kosovo and Serbia.
Even before the September 24 attacks, several countries had urged Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, not to place sole responsibility on Kosovo for the escalation of tensions in the north back in May of this year.
During that time, tensions ran high, and the situation escalated into violence when local Serbs in municipalities with a Serbian majority population rejected newly elected Albanian leaders who emerged from elections boycotted by the Serbian community.
The European Union had initially proposed punitive measures against Kosovo in response to this situation. However, later on, the two sides managed to reach agreements aimed at de-escalation.
One of the key provisions was the organization of new elections in the northern region, although a specific date for these elections has yet to be determined.
