EU: Kosovo has mandate for investigation, Serbia to co-operate unconditionally

European Union spokesman Peter Stano has said on Monday that Kosovo Police have a mandate to investigate the attacks that were made on Banjska in Zvecan on 24 stators, while Serbia is obliged to co-operate, unconditionally.

He has made these statements as he is asked about the recent evidence published by Kosovo authorities over the attack.

He has reiterated that the EU is awaiting full results of the investigation, to have a clear picture of what happened, and on their part to make decisions to member states, including any possible measures towards Serbia.

Asked about the responsibility that former Serbian List deputy Milan Radojic has taken over for the attack, and will the EU help extradite him to Kosovo, Stano has said only that the European bloc expects “full, transparent and unconditional co-operation from Serbia“, in order to clarify not only who has prepared and carried out the terrorist attack, but also who stands behind them”.

We've seen what Radociq said. All facts must be verified and white. We expect full co-operation from Serbia. We don't make our commitment through the media, but through our “channels, the EU spokesman said.

Asked about Belgrade's statements that the EU mission in Kosovo to rule the law, E ULEX, has not been allowed to participate in the investigation, Stano has said “EULEX does not need a spokesman speaking on behalf of this mission on the other hand, but has his office for this“.

There's new evidence coming up every day. We do not comment, but we expect final results that clarify all the circumstances of the terrorist attack. We expect full co-operation from Serbia. The EU has clearly said that we are ready to impose measures on Serbia as well, if member states estimate they have enough evidence“, Stano has said.

The EU spokesman has left no doubt that the mandate to investigate the Banjska case lies with Kosovo authorities.

This has happened on Kosovo's territory and investigations make Kosovo Police. We have very good co-operation with it“, he said.

Asked that it makes sense to continue dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia in this situation, as even Serbia in December could go to the polls, the EU spokesman has said that the EU and its partners see exactly the continuation of dialogue as the only way to solve problems.

There are always election cycles. But we need to resume dialogue, because it is the only way to normalise reports. If we were normal, we wouldn't have the situation. Therefore, we call from the EU and the partners for the parties to return dialogue“, Stano has said.

Kosovo and Serbia are part of the EU-brokered dialogue for normalisation of reports since 2011.

The sides have signed a host of agreements, but not all have been implemented.