European Commission urges Serbia to fulfil its obligations from dialogue, co-operate on Banjska issue

In the European Commission's annual report, Serbia has received bad marks in chapters 23 and 24 for rule of law, while stressing that Belgrade has not imposed sanctions on Russia and has not closed the space for foreign interventions and information manipulation.

In which report Radio Free Europe (RSE)It has access, it is said, despite aspirations for membership in the European Union (BE) as the country's strategic goal, Serbia links trade agreements with China and other third countries that do not meet Brussels standards.

The European Commission also stresses that Serbia must make more efforts and compromises so that the process of normalising relations with Kosovo can move forward, but also that it is necessary to fulfil its obligations within dialogue and commit to full implementation by all previous agreements.

The European Commission will publish the report for all countries in the region and Eastern Partnership on Wednesday, November 8th.

The European Commission's annual report is the most important document for any country that aspires to membership in the European Union (BE) and presents a view of the situation in all key areas where progress is needed for the membership process.

Serbia, along with Montenegro, is considered the leader of the membership negotiations process, but since 2021, it has not opened a single group due to its refusal to impose sanctions on Russia.

Relations with Kosovo also remain key on the country's European path.

The report estimates that Serbia has remained committed to Dialogue on the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, but it is said Belgrade should show more serious commitment, as well as make more efforts and compromises so that the process of normalising relations with Kosovo. to move on.

It is said that it is necessary for Serbia to fulfil its obligations within the dialogue and commit to full implementation of all previous agreements from the dialogue.

Serbia and Kosovo are expected to engage more constructively to facilitate the start of negotiations for a legally binding agreement on normalisation and show flexibility to make rapid and concrete progress. The normalisation of relations is a fundamental condition on the European road from both sides and both risk losing significant opportunities in the absence of progress”, the annual report for Serbia said.

This document confirms that relations with Kosovo are affected by several attacks of various “intensity on many issues, with a violent attack on Kosovo police on 24 September 2023, in the village of Banjska near Zvecan. This event in northern Kosovo in the document has been estimated as the worst “escalation in recent years”, broadcast FrontOnline.

The document underlines the European Union's expectations that authors are arrested and brought to justice quickly and that Serbia co-operates fully and takes all necessary steps in this direction.

“Sulmi (in Banjska) should not serve as an excuse for any party to draw attention to the EU-led dialogue. Kosovo and Serbia must continue their continued efforts for de-progression, as well as ensure holding new elections in Kosovo's north as soon as possible, with the active participation of Kosovo Serbs”, the document said.

Serbia is also urged to investigate the violence committed against KFOR troops during the protests at the end of May of this year. It is estimated that the return of the situation in which Kosovo Serbs actively participate in the local administration, police and judiciary in northern Kosovo remains encouraging.