European Parliament adopts resolution condemning terrorist attack in Banjska

The European Parliament on Thursday has adopted the resolution condemning the attack on Zvecan Banjska on 24 September, where Sergeant Africa Bulnjak was killed. In the resolution, the attack is named terrorist and will seek responsibility from Serbia if Belgrade's direct connection to this event is testified.

The text of the resolution has been compiled by several proposals of political groups in the EP.

The text of the resolution mentions circumstances that have influenced the increasing tensions in northern Kosovo, from the removal of Serbs from institutions last November, boycotting April's local elections in the north, to the deployment of barricades and attacks on KFOR soldiers and journalists at the end of May and the recent attack on Banjka.

In the text of the draft resolution, the attack on the Kosovo Police in Banjska is named “terrorist attacks”, while Serbia is criticised for certain actions such as the apparent failure to comply with the attack, the glorification of members of the armed group of Serbs who carried out the attack, and the proclamation of the day of mourning in Serbia for the three attackers killed.

“Wants in the most powerful way possible the cowardly terrorist attack on Kosovo Police members on the part of well-organised Serb paramilitaries in Banjska, north of Kosovo”, is said to be in the text of the resolution, in which all member states of the European Union are invited so far to fail to condemn this attack, to do so.

Through the EP resolution, it is called on Kosovo and Serbia to act on lowering tensions, refrain from rhetoric or actions that could increase tensions, and act on clarifying all facts concerning the attack on Banjska.

“We extend an invitation for the EU to support investigations on the part of Kosovo authorities, including with the support of [EU Commission in Kosovo for Windim of Law] EULEX, underlining the importance of the leaders of these attacks being held accountable and facing justice without delay. Kosovo authorities are invited to present all evidence concerning the incident, Serbia is required to co-operate fully with investigations and bring to justice responsible persons in Serbia, in accordance with the law, including extradition to Kosovo”, the draft-resolution text broadcasts Radio Free Europe.

The text of the resolution also extends an invitation to the European Commission and the Council to take measures against the Government of Serbia if investigations testify to direct links of Serbia's state to the attack in Banjska, or if Serbia's authorities will not show will for full co-operation in the investigation process.

The Council is scheduled to adopt targeted stock measures, including not even limited, freezing of property and preventing travel for destabilising actors in northern Kosovo and leaders of key organised crime networks. In this context, we invite the Council to follow the example of the United States for the deployment of measures targeted against Milan Radovici”, the text says.

The EP, through draft resolution, also condemns increasing the presence of the Serbian Army near the border of Kosovo and urges Serbia to refrain from supporting any terrorist group in northern Kosovo in the future.

Also criticised is what is described as a harsh promotional language used in Serbia for Kosovo and Albanians, which according to the Eurodeputs promotes tensions.

“extends an invitation to authorities in Serbia and the media to refrain from the language of hatred towards Kosovo and from spreading lies about ethnic cleansing or pongrom in Kosovo, for which there is no evidence”, the draft resolution says.

Through this resolution there is also an invitation to a more pro-active EU role in the dialogue on normalisation of reports, so that Kosovo and Serbia can implement all provisions of the Agreement towards normalisation achieved earlier in the year, as it expresses regret over the resumption of the campaign by Serbia for attracting recognition of Kosovo and obstacles to Kosovo's membership in international organisations. Kosovo is required to have dialogue with Serbs in Kosovo and organise new local elections as soon as possible in the Serb-run north.

At some points on this resolution, he expresses regret over the behaviour of Serbia's authorities, led by President Aleksandar Vuciq, who according to the Eurodeputs, destabilise the entire region.

Through this resolution, it is also required to clear out of the punitive measures the EU imposed on Kosovo due to tensions in the north, which began in late May.