Attack on Banjska: France does not rule out measures against Serbia

French Ambassador to our country Olivier Guerot stresses the need for “accurately verified the facts” if Serbia stands behind the September 24th terrorist attack in the village of Banjska of Zvecan, before punishative measures are taken against this state. However, in an interview for Kosovo Preress, he adds that “cannot help but ask ourselves questions” after all that weapons captured by Kosovo authorities.

Guerot expresses France's position when he claims he expects Serbia to co-operate fully so that the perpetrators of this terrorist act can be brought to justice.

Although Kosovo state leaders said they could not sit at the dialogue table with Serbia before sanctions are applied to President Aleksandar Vuciq, Ambassador Guerot in a written interview for Kosovo Press, says the parties should not establish conditions or declare unilaterally that dialogue is not a current issue.

According to him, the September 24th aggression has only stressed the need for dialogue is “the only chance to solve the current stalemate through political means”.

Total interview:

Kosovaress: What is France's position on the September 24th terrorist attack in Zvecan Banjska?

O. Guérot: France immediately and severely condemned the unacceptable attack on Kosovo police on 24 September, which left one policeman and two other officers injured dead. She expressed her condolences to Sergeant Africa Bulnjak's family and called for those responsible to be brought to justice as soon as possible.

The seriousness of these events makes even more necessary urgency for Serbia and Kosovo to demonstrate the responsibility to reduce tensions and to re-age them with confidence in the EU-launched dialogue, the only possible way towards normalising relations between the two countries and enabling them to progress towards the European Union.

Kosovaress: Based on the organisation, planning as well as the weapons found by this terrorist group do you consider that Serbia is behind it, as institutional leaders in Kosovo are declaring?

O. Guérot: We cannot help but ask ourselves questions given the number and nature of equipment abandoned by the armed group. We heard President Vuciq's views and statements by M's lawyer. Radoiciq. We seek to verify the facts accurately.

Kosovaress: Days of national mourning in Serbia for murdered terrorists and the release of terrorist group leader Milan Radojicic testify that Serbia is behind this attack?

O. Guérot: Heroisation of attackers killed in Banjska only increases the risk of accidents. We are closely following the ongoing investigation and we expect the authors to be brought to justice and Serbia to co-operate fully.

Kosovaress: Based on these evidence should Serbia be sanctioned by the European Union and the United States of America?

O. Guérot: I can only remind that France underlines the need to prove the facts through independent investigations so as to draw conclusions, if necessary, for measures that can be taken.

Kosovaress: Also within the framework of further tension of the situation, Serbia sent the military to the border belt with Kosovo, but withdrew following American threats. What are these signals?

O. Guérot: Military reinforcements at the border have raised concerns legitimately. The Serbian Army began to take expected measures. It is essential to preserve a channel of communication with KFOR and avoid any surprise.

Kosovaress: When we are in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, can the same develop after the recent events on the field?

O. Guérot: Returning to the EU facilitated dialogue is the only chance to solve the current stalemate through political means. The September 24th attack should encourage both sides to intensify dialogue, not establish conditions or unilaterally declare that it is no longer a current issue.

Kosovaress: Are the Brussels and Ohrid Agreement still valid?

O. Guérot: The Brussels and Ohrid agreements remain valid, and we call on both sides to implement them as soon as possible without preconditions. Kosovo in particular should start working on forming association with Serb majority municipalities.

Kosovaress: In the current political context, the EU's punitive measures towards Kosovo are rights? When are the same ones expected to withdraw?

O. Guérot: The measures taken in the case of Kosovo are temporary and returnable measures, which have been adopted by member states after all have been reconciled. A number of required actions in Kosovo have been implemented, but not all. It is essential to take the de-pass measures we have requested. The EU expects Kosovo and Serbia to show responsibilities to reduce tensions and to be trusted re-enlisted in the EU-launched dialogue, the only possible way to achieve normalisation of relations between the two countries and enable them to progress towards the European Union.