President Milanović after Meeting with President of Kosovo: Serbia must give answers about events in the north of Kosovo

“Full support for Kosovo, so it is at least admitted in the community of European states. I am pursuing this and I am saying this because the International Court in The Hague already in 2010, at the request of Serbia, said that all conditions for international recognition and statehood of Kosovo have been met. After that, some member states of the European Union, which said they would recognize Kosovo under the condition that such an opinion is given, went into a yearslong silence that continues to this day,” the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović said today after meeting with the President of the Republic of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, who is paying an official visit to the Republic of Croatia.

“It would be good if other leaders called for the recognition of Kosovo, as I did at the UN. It should be recognized. I try to look at things rationally, keeping in mind Croatia’s interests above all,” added the President of the Republic.

President Milanović commented on the recent attack in Banjska in the north of Kosovo and called on Serbia to give answers about the events that took place. “In recent days, we have seen the escalation of conflict and dangerous actions in the north of Kosovo, behind which someone stands in terms of organization, resources and finances – these are the facts. Our positions are clear. Serbia must give answers to some obvious things. These are all things we have seen before in history and we don’t want to see them again. Someone stands behind this and we need to know who in order to be able to continue living normally. Because, if there are no consequences now, it means that we are waiting for the next such event. And we must not allow that,” said President Milanović.

In this context, President Milanović said that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić must give answers to some questions: “Uniforms can be purchased online; however, weapons cannot be purchased that way. It’s not IKEA, nor an amusement park. In order to prepare for such a thing, you need to have the approval of the supreme leader or at least people who are close to him. A number of logical questions arise, to which Serbia must give answers.”

Responding to a question about Russia’s possible involvement in events in the north of Kosovo, with the aim of destabilizing the region, President Milanović said: “I don’t know if Russia has anything to do with the attack in Banjska, but the events in Kosovo certainly suit it. I am more surprised by Serbia, which seems to be unaware that it has lost everything it could lose in terms of the development of a nation. A healthier, more rational policy would be more beneficial to them. Serbia is certainly not contributing constructively to relations with neighbouring countries.”

In her statement to the press, the President of the Republic of Kosovo emphasized that Croatia is a major friend, ally and partner of Kosovo. “You were on our side when our survival was threatened, you support us even today when Kosovo is one of the most consolidated democracies in the region,” said President Osmani, adding that there are still forces in the region that want to return to the past.

“Kosovo is determined to continue moving forward and we are happy to have allies like Croatia. President Milanović continues to be our voice in forums where we are not present, but where we strive to be present: in NATO, in the common family of European states and in the UN, where President Milanović strongly called on all countries that have not done so to recognize the irreversible reality of the existence of an independent and sovereign state of Kosovo. I wish to thank you most profoundly on behalf of all the citizens of Kosovo,” said the President of Kosovo.

She emphasized that Kosovo views Croatia as one of its main allies, not only in the region. “We share a part of a common history, the acquisition of freedom and independence. Hundreds of Albanian citizens fought together with the citizens of Croatia in order for Croatia to achieve freedom and independence. Croatia is part of the KFOR peacekeeping mission in Kosovo where Croatian soldiers served in thirty contingents. I want to thank Croatia for its contribution to our stability and peace”, said President Osmani in her statement to the representatives of the press, adding that economic cooperation between Kosovo and Croatia is also essential.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas, Marko Beljan