European Parliament adopts resolution: Sanctions against Serbia if its involvement in Banjska attack is proven

(Patria) - The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on recent developments in the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo.

The adopted resolution calls on the Council of the EU and the European Commission to introduce measures against the Serbian government if its direct involvement in the attack that occurred on September 24 in Banjska, in northern Kosovo, is proven.

"The European Parliament adopted the resolution on the latest developments in the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue. We need a full investigation of the Banjska attack and delivery of justice.

Belgrade and Pristina must also return to a peaceful and constructive EU-facilitated dialogue," stated the European Parliament's rapporteur for Serbia, Vladimir Bilčik, on his Twitter.

The @Europarl_EN adopted the resolution on the recent developments in the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue.

We need a full investigation of the Banjska attack & delivery of justice. Belgrade and Pristina must also return to a peaceful and constructive EU-facilitated dialogue. @eppgroup

— Vladimír Bilčík MEP (@VladoBilcik) October 19, 2023

There was no debate on the Resolution, only a vote. After the vote, MEPs moved on to other items, welcomed the Iranian activist for human and women's rights, and began a debate on events in Gaza.

MEP Klemen Grošelj explained in a statement to N1's European correspondent, before the start of today's session in Strasbourg, that any measures would not be directed against the citizens of Serbia.

"The message is clear – we are not sanctioning citizens, these are not sanctions against Serbia. First, an investigation must be conducted, Serbia must participate fully, and those who are perpetrators, instigators, organizers, they will be sanctioned, but only after all the facts are established," Grošelj added.

The resolution calls on the Serbian authorities to fully cooperate in the investigation into the attack on the Kosovo police in Banjska, and to extradite Milan Radoičić, who took responsibility for the conflict, to the Kosovo authorities.

The EU is thereby called upon to follow the example of the United States and impose sanctions on Radoičić.

Both sides are called upon to return to dialogue and work on de-escalation, and it is particularly emphasized that the Serbian side should cease inflammatory rhetoric and aggressive military behavior on the border with Kosovo.

Pristina is called upon to establish the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) without further delay, in accordance with the Brussels Agreements of 2013 and 2015, the Constitution of Kosovo, and the ruling of the Constitutional Court from 2015.