Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani has asserted that the ongoing investigations conducted by local authorities, with international support, “have confirmed Serbia’s involvement” in the September 24 attack in Banjska, Zvecan. She has called on the European Commission to take punitive actions against Serbia.
During a press conference, Osmani conveyed her country’s request for the European Union to impose measures against Serbia following the events in Banjska, as EU member states have carried out their respective procedures to substantiate the details of this incident.
She emphasized that Kosovo is not pursuing sanctions, as each member state within the EU holds veto rights within the Council, and at least one unidentified state intends to exercise its veto power on this matter.
Osmani explained that the European Commission has the authority to propose political and financial measures, which do not necessitate the Council’s approval.
Within the European Union, it has been stated that they are awaiting the outcome of the investigations conducted by Kosovar authorities regarding the events in Banjska before considering further measures and actions.
The European Parliament is set to endorse a resolution on October 19, which, according to sources within the European bloc, will call for punitive measures against Serbia.
On September 24, a group of armed Serbs attacked Kosovo’s Police, resulting in the tragic death of officer Afrim Bunjaku. Serbia has vehemently denied any involvement in the attack.
During the conference, Osmani highlighted four key factors that, in her view, indicate Serbia’s responsibility for the attack through the chain of command, “up to Serbian President [Aleksandar Vučić]”.
The first factor, as per her assertion, relates to the financing of this group, which Kosovo claims consisted of over 80 armed individuals. The second factor pertains to the weaponry employed, which Osmani alleged was “manufactured in Serbia’s military industry and supplied by the Serbian state to the terrorists responsible for the attack”.
“The third factor involves the training provided, which even the Serbian state has not denied offering to these terrorist groups. The fourth factor centers on the political ties of the Serbian state with the terrorists who orchestrated this attack,” stated Osmani.
Osmani criticized the EU’s approach to Serbia, which, in her view, “encouraged” Vučić to engage in such an attack.
“It has been 12 years in dialogue, and it is high time for reflection, as the approach in these 12 years has emboldened Vučić to employ violence and commit an act of aggression against Kosovo. Therefore, we cannot simply ignore the events of September 24. The entire dialogue process must be reconsidered in light of what transpired on that date, recognizing that it constitutes a violation of Article 3 of the Agreement on normalization and its annex,” remarked Osmani.
Former Deputy Chairman of the Serb List, Milan Radojičić, has claimed responsibility for organizing and leading the attack.
Kosovo has released drone footage showing Radojičić armed in Banjska on September 24.
