Several members of the European Parliament have called for sanctions against Serbia during a session on Kosova in the European Parliament (EP) on Tuesday, where the deadly attack on the Kosova Police by an armed group of Serbs weeks ago in the north of the country was discussed.

The Croatian MP, Tonino Picula, speaking on behalf of the Socialist group, demanded measures against Serbia, calling the September 24 attack on the Kosova Police in Banjska of Zveçan, where Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was murdered, a terrorist act.

“Recent events are evidence of how dangerous the situation is. We are worried about Serbia’s behavior even after these events,” said Picula.

Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Millan Radoicic – the now resigned former chairman of the Serbian List, the main party of Serbs in Kosova that has the support of official Belgrade – but Kosova insists that the Serbian state is behind the attack.

He emphasized that the EU should impose similar measures against Serbia as it did against Kosova months ago. The EU had assessed that Kosova had not taken the required steps to reduce tensions in the north.

The German MP Viola von Cramon – who is also the rapporteur for Kosova in the EP, considered the attack as brutal that proves that we cannot take freedom for granted in Europe.

She underlined that Radoicic’s connections with official Belgrade “are more than evident”, and that Serbia should “immediately” withdraw all troops from the border with Kosova.

“The EU and NATO must come up with a new plan for Kosova. Germany should follow Britain’s example to increase the military presence in Kosova”, she said, referring to last week’s decision by Great Britain to send 200 additional troops to NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosova, KFOR.

Dutch MEP Thijs Reuten asked for “decisive steps to stop Serbian President Vucic”.

“Vucic must be stopped because he does not stop himself. If we tolerate him once and don’t stop him, the next time he goes one step further. All that the EU has done is to sanction Kosova”, he emphasized, requesting measures against Serbia.

In the debate, there was a lot of criticism about the EU’s policy towards Serbia and the neglect of Russia’s influence in the region. Some MPs called for international investigations and for those responsible for the attack on the Kosova Police in the north to be brought to justice.

Some MEPs even asked that Serbia’s funds be frozen until the investigations are completed. They criticized the EU for “using a soft policy” towards Serbia, for treating Vucic as a friend, giving him funds and being hesitant to condemn his government.

The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Janez Lenarçic spoke on behalf of the European Commission in the absence of the High Representative of the EU, Josep Borrell, who was on an official trip, criticizing Serbia for its actions after the September 24 attack, which honored the three Serbian attackers who were killed after attacking the Kosova Police and declared mourning for them.

“The rhetoric from Belgrade after the events of September 24 is very disturbing and the mourning for the murdered attackers. Even the increase in the military presence in the south of Serbia is worrying,” he said.

There was criticism towards Kosovo too

The Slovak member of EP, Vladimir Bilicik, who is also the rapporteur for Serbia, blamed the Prime Minister of Kosova, Albin Kurti, for the situation in the north.

“The dialogue process began to stall with the arrival of Albin Kurti in power. His refusal to establish the Association created the situation in which the dialogue has stalled. There can be no solution without compromise,” was the opinion of the Slovak EP member.

The EP members who criticized Kosova did so mainly by saying that it is “showing unwillingness” to establish the Association of Municipalities with a Serbian majority.

Far-right MPs blamed Kosova for “encouraging Serbs to be forced to defend themselves”.

The European Parliament is expected also approve a special resolution on the situation in Kosova during the next this month.

/a.p./