UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 29, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Kosovo is under attack, dialogue is no longer the same (media)

Kurti: Idea that weapons entered Banjska without involvement of Serbia cannot be believed (media)

Gervalla: The association is dead (media)

Kurti responds to Edi Rama's idea that KFOR take control of the north of Kosovo (Kallxo)

Department of State: Killing of policeman cannot be equated with that of attackers (RFE)

QUINT in OSCE: Killers of Kosovo police should be brought to justice (media)

European Parliament to discuss situation in the north on Tuesday (Klan)

UAE calls for return to dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia (RTK)

Rohde: We have seen a lot of inflammatory statements, especially from Belgrade, this has to stop (media)

Police are looking for weapons and other potential victims in Banjska (Koha)

EULEX denies Serbia’s claim that it was not allowed to take part in police operation (Reporteri)

Bodies of the killed in Banjska cannot be handed over to families without scientific identification (Reporteri)

The Rashka-Prizren Diocese refuses for Kosovo to restore the Banjska Monastery (Koha)

Maliqi believes "there will be new attacks", says Vjosa Osmani "seems informed about the dangers"(Nacionale)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms death of Kosovo citizen in territory of Serbia (RTK)

Kurti asks for support in clarifying the fate of the missing (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: Situation in Kosovo more complicated and dangerous than ever (N1)
Elek: Kosovo special police forcefully entered Clinical Hospital Centre in Mitrovica North, conduct search of some premises (Kosovo Online, N1)

Raska-Prizren Diocese responds to Kosovo institutions’ initiative to repair damage at Banjska Monastery (media, SOC’s website)

Jeremic: A broad national gathering needed in elections for protection of Kosovo (N1, Nova.rs, RTV)

Dacic meets with German MP Chrupalla, discuss Kosovo issue (Tanjug)

Mijacic: How long does implementation of freedom of movement agreement need to be waited for? (social media, Kosovo Online)

EUELX said in no way it was prevented to be present or observe Kosovo police operation in Banjska (KoSSev)

EULEX: Present during autopsy as observers, Pristina authorities conduct investigation into Banjska case (Kosovo Online)

International Media:

Kosovo accuses Serbia of involvement in paramilitary ambush (The Guardian)

Exclusive: Kosovo's president blames Serbia for shootout, says Kosovo 'under attack' (Reuters)

Exclusive: Serbia to investigate killing of policeman in northern Kosovo, Vucic says (Reuters)

Kosovo accuses Serbia of direct involvement in deadly clashes and investigates possible Russian role (AP)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani: Kosovo is under attack, dialogue is no longer the same (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has accused Serbia and its president of being behind the attack on the Kosovo Police in Banjska, Zvecan on Sunday. In an interview with "Reuters", Osmani said that even the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue is no longer the same as it was until now.

"Kosovo is under attack", she said on Thursday.

"The (armed) group simply exercised the intentions and the motives of Serbia as a country and Vucic as the leader."

Osmani said Serbia still has territorial claims against Kosovo and was acting to accomplish a 'Crimea model' by creating tensions in Kosovo's north where some 50,000 local Serbs still see Belgrade as their capital and reject rule from Pristina.

"What I would say to President Vucic is stop messing with Kosovo. Kosovo is going to defend its freedom, its independence and its sovereignty at any price," Osmani said.

"They are trying to carry out a Crimea model in the Republic of Kosovo, but we will

Osmani said that similar attacks may be repeated again in the near future and asked the international community to do everything possible to stop Serbia supporting such groups.

"I am very much concerned that such attacks, even of a higher scale, might happen in the future if Serbia is not condemned, first of all for this terrorist act of aggression," she said.

Osmani said talks between the two cannot continue as before.

"It is absolutely not business as usual any longer," she said.

"We've been victims of an aggression by Serbia and everyone should treat it as such, also in their approach towards Serbia from now on" Osmani told Reuters.

Kurti: Idea that weapons entered Banjska without involvement of Serbia cannot be believed (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, sharing on Twitter photos of Serbian weapons found by the Police in Banjska in Zvecan, said that their large amount makes it unbelievable that they entered Kosovo without the involvement of the Government of Serbia.

“The weapons and other equipment used in this week's terrorist attacks were made by Serbian state-owned military arms producers. The idea that 26 military SUVs and a vast Serbian state-produced arsenal entered Kosova, all without the Serbian government's involvement, is simply not credible.

Concerns about the rights of Kosovo Serbs are not well-founded if they ignore the right to political plurality and the need for representation free from Western-sanctioned criminals who have been involved in murdering policemen and terrorizing the very people they are meant to represent.

Most minority groups in Kosovo have multiple political parties. But Belgrade allows the largest group, KosovoSerbs, to have only one, which it controls. That party's VP, Milan Radoicic—a criminal sanctioned by the U.S. and UK played a leading role in this week's terrorist attacks,” Kurti wrote on X platform on Thursday.

Gervalla: The association is dead (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla, has said that the Association of Municipalities with a Serb majority is dead.

She said in an interview with Albania’s Top Channel broadcaster that there are already completely different priorities related to the European Union and the United States of America, after Sunday's attack. According to Gervalla, security is the main priority of discussions with internationals.

"To tell you the truth, after Sunday, every conversation about the Association seems superfluous to me, because after Sunday they have no meaning. The association is dead to us and the internationals. To coordinate the work of the municipalities in the north of Kosovo is another difference. There are four principles: not to violate sovereignty, the Constitution, not to harm, and to be coordinators," Gervalla said.

"The association of 2013 is against the constitution of Kosovo and cannot be done. Escobar has very clearly defined that there can be no Association as it could be a second Serbian republic. It was very important for us that the violation of the Constitution is not part of the agreement we accepted in Brussels", she added.

"It didn't happen because Serbia was clear that it is not ready and that it lacks full readiness. We distinguish the EU from the USA because the USA has been more pragmatic in understanding the reality of our country and the Balkans. Every effort of ours to bring energy and results to the process, in the end you see that we are the only party that demands the implementation of the agreement in Brussels. This dialogue does not lead anywhere, it is a dead end", she said.

"For me, it is very important that after what happened on Sunday, there are completely different priorities in our relationship with internationals: security. There is no more serious offense than open aggression against the one who claims to have you at the table. Serbia is behind the attack and there were weapons for hundreds of troops," Gervalla said.

Kurti responds to Edi Rama's idea for KFOR to take control of the north of Kosovo (Kallxo)

Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti in an interview with Istraga B on Hayat Media of Bosnia and Herzegovina this week, discussed Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's proposal for KFOR to assume control over northern Kosovo. Kurti stated: “We need joint patrols involving our police and KFOR along the Kosovo-Serbia border. As for other matters, the protocol is already established. Anywhere in Kosovo, our police are the first responders, followed by EULEX, and then KFOR. I don't believe this protocol should be altered.'

Department of State: Killing of policeman cannot be equated with that of attackers (RFE)

The United States of America opposes efforts to equate the killing of the Kosovo sergeant, Afrim Bunjaku, with the attackers "who were involved in his murder".

This is what the spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, Mathew Miller, told Radio Free Europe, when asked about how the U.S. considers the people who attacked the Kosovo Police in Banjska, Zvecan on September 24.

"We have been very clear: the U.S. strongly condemns the coordinated and violent attacks on the Kosovo Police on September 24, and we express our condolences to the family of the Kosovo Police sergeant who was killed in the line of duty. We oppose attempts to equate the tragic death of Kosovo Police Sergeant [Afrim] Bunjaku with the death of individuals who were involved in the killing of a policeman. Those responsible must be brought to justice through a transparent investigative process. This investigation is ongoing," Miller said.

QUINT in OSCE: The killers of the Kosovo police should be brought to justice (media)

The Ambassador of the United States of America to the OSCE, Michael Carpenter, met on Thursday with the representatives of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom after the attack in Banjska that left a Kosovo policeman dead. Carpenter, in the statement issued on behalf of QUINT, said that they strongly condemn the violent attacks near the Banjska Monastery on September 24 that led to the loss of life of the Kosovar policeman, Afrim Bunjaku.

“I am making this joint statement on behalf of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and in my national capacity:

We strongly condemn the violent attacks near the Banjska Monastery on September 24 that led to the loss of life of a Kosovo Police Sergeant. We offer our sincere condolences on such a tragic death in the line of duty. The perpetrators must be held accountable and brought to justice through a transparent investigative process.

We appreciate the close coordination of the Kosovo Police with the NATO-led Kosovo Force and the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo to ensure the safety of civilians, and we continue to monitor the situation closely.

We reiterate our commitment to de-escalate tensions. In that vein, our priority remains moving forward on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, starting with the return to the EU-facilitated Dialogue. Diplomacy is the only path towards enduring peace,” the statement reads.

The European Parliament to discuss situation in the north on Tuesday (Klan)

The situation in the north after the September 24 attack on the Kosovo police in Banjske, Zvecan, will be discussed on Tuesday in the European Parliament.

"In two separate reports in May, MPs have called on Kosovo and Serbia to engage in the dialogue facilitated by the European Union and to ensure without delay a comprehensive legally binding agreement for the normalization of relations based on the principle of mutual recognition," reads the announcement of the EU Parliament.

The UAE calls for return to dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia (RTK)

The United Arab Emirates calls for de-escalation and a return to dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. The United Arab Emirates stated that it is following with great concern the recent tensions between Serbia and Kosovo, which threaten further escalation and instability. The United Arab Emirates emphasized the need to respect the rules and principles of international law.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) called for the avoidance of any step that could lead to an escalation of tensions and expressed the hope of the United Arab Emirates that the two countries return to dialogue and the implementation of the agreement reached in Brussels in February, in order to achieve peace and prosperity for the peoples of Serbia and Kosovo, and beyond in the region.

The Ministry reaffirmed that the dialogue mediated by the EU is the best tool for solving all outstanding issues and emphasized the readiness of the United Arab Emirates to support this process.

The Ministry emphasized the importance of joint efforts for the advancement of diplomacy and dialogue. The UAE and its leadership believe in the necessity of building bridges of cooperation to increase trust in a way that brings together multiple perspectives.

The Ministry emphasized that the United Arab Emirates enjoys deep-rooted relations with Serbia and Kosovo and looks forward to strengthening cooperation to achieve common interests.

Rohde: We have seen a lot of inflammatory statements, especially from Belgrade - this has to stop (media)

The Ambassador of Germany in Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, has said that after the attack on September 24, where Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed, he has seen many inflammatory statements, especially from Belgrade.

"It is quite difficult to return to normality after this terrorist attack on Sunday, which also has direct consequences. We hope that we can minimize them in inter-ethnic relations. I hope all the perpetrators of this horrific attack are brought to justice. We have seen many inflammatory statements, especially from Belgrade".

"This has to stop because if you continue, others will react too. We need the dialogue to continue and create tangible solutions now, and after this meeting I have to go to the NATO commander, because we have another meeting," Rohde said.

Police are looking for weapons and other potential victims in Banjska (Koha)

Members of the special and investigative units that continued the examination in the place where the terrorist attack was carried out on Sunday, were also seen on Thursday in Banjska, Zvecan.

On Thursday, the Kosovo Police also patrolled with the "K9" dog unit around the mountainous area of Banjska, to identify potential dead bodies from the Serbian armed group in Sunday's attack. The patrol with the dog unit was also done to see if there is any other weaponry that this group could have left behind on the run.

The Deputy Director of Police for the North, Veton Elshani, has said that most of the area has already been checked. But during the day nothing was found.

"Not today (nothing found)... We have a lot of police here today, we are doing the search again in certain areas, the situation is calm, but we are prepared for any situation that happens... So far we have not found anything, we searched very well", he said.

Traces from Sunday's attack continue to be present at the entrance to the village of Banjske, where the attacking group had set up barricades on Sunday morning.

The examination of the scene continued on Thursday at the bridge where the truck barricade was placed, and the police were ambushed where Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku was killed.

At the end of the road are still the trucks that were used to set up the barricade.

The alleys leading to the upper part of the village are also patrolled. The monastery, which was used as a shield by the terrorist group, was also closed on Thursday. Members of the Special Unit and a heavy vehicle stood the entire time in front of the entrance to this cult building.

Even inside the courtyard, there was no movement of clergy or residents.

Well, a resident asked the police for permission to photograph the Monastery.

Initially, the police asked the base to verify it. Through the radio connection, it was confirmed that, with the exception of three traffic incidents, there was no criminal offense. This Serbian citizen did not want to speak in front of the cameras, but behind them he said that two of his cars were burned during the attack.

There are not many movements in the village streets either. Only citizens who have gone out to buy food in the markets that have opened are seen. The school at the entrance to Banjska is closed for students.

The residents refuse to speak in front of the cameras, but behind them they tell how they experienced the attack.

"Everything happened very quickly. I was in this part of the basement of the house making morning coffee when the first bullets hit the window", said a citizen.

"Thank God no one from the family inside was hurt, as we have one and three year old children. But they were very scared. We hope that such things will not happen again", added another.

In addition to the center of the village, the frontal area of the mountain was also filled with members of the Special Unit.

There are also patrols of the Special Unit on the main Zvecan-Leposaviq road. While the traffic of cars on the road leading to the border point in Jarinje is rare.

The border point in Jarinje continues to be closed for vehicles entering the territory of Kosovo from Serbia. Meanwhile, those citizens who want to go to Serbia can pass after the border controls are carried out.

EULEX denies Serbia’s claim that it was not allowed to take part in police operation (Reporteri)

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) rejected claims by Serbian officials that it was not allowed to participate in the police operation on September 24 in Banjska, after the Kosovo Police was attacked.

"EULEX has in no way been prohibited from participating in or observing the operations that were carried out by the Kosovo Police on September 24", said the mission to Radio Free Europe.

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the head of the office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government, Petar Petkovic, have said that Kosovo did not allow EULEX to participate in the police operation, after a terrorist group attacked the Kosovo Police in Banjska of Zvecan.

Bodies of the killed in Banjska cannot be handed over to families without scientific identification

The autopsy of the bodies of the terrorists killed in Banjska of Zvecan has been completed, but they will not be handed over to their families without their scientific identification. This was made known by the specialist of Forensic Medicine, Naim Uka, reports "Oath of Justice".

"Yes, it ended yesterday. Autopsy procedures are carried out. Bodies are not handed over to family members without scientific identification. The bodies are in the morgue and it is a standard procedure that is not allowed without identification," Uka said.

"It is a procedure that the Police can carry out, but there is also another procedure that can be carried out through DNA. This depends on the Police and I don't know until it is done. If this cannot be done through fingerprints, then DNA is followed. The verification for the fingerprint procedure is done by the Forensic Unit for the fingerprint procedure", said Uka.

The bodies of the attackers have not been officially identified, but there are family members who have come forward to take them. In fact, political pressure from Serbia for the bodies to be taken as soon as possible is taking place.

The Rashka-Prizren Diocese refuses for Kosovo to restore the Banjska Monastery (Koha)

The Diocese of Rashka-Prizren has refused Kosovo institutions to restore the Monastery of Banjska, after attacks by Serbian armed groups on Sunday, which damaged its structure. A day after the Minister of Culture, Hajrulla Ceku, promised that Kosovo will carry out the assessment and then deal with the restoration, the diocese has rejected saying that it has capacities for independent expertise and to restore them itself.

Minister Ceku stated at the government meeting that the armed attack, in addition to the goal of destabilizing Kosovo, also aimed to cause damage to religious and ethnic relations.

"Terrorists have caused considerable damage to the physical structure of this monastery. I deeply believe that the goal of this group, but also of their commanders, was to damage inter-religious and inter-ethnic relations in Kosovo, in addition to physical damage in Monastery. The government of Kosovo has so far given countless proofs of its will to protect the cultural heritage and in particular the Orthodox churches and monasteries", Ceku said.

Regarding the necessary interventions in the Monastery facility, the minister said that they are waiting for the creation of the necessary conditions for the cultural heritage authorities to assess the damage.

"Immediately after that we will undertake all the necessary actions in cooperation with all relevant parties in order to repair the damage to the physical structure of this monastery", said the Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports at the Government meeting, repeating the same on X platform.

Meanwhile, the Rashka-Prizren Diocese, in a reaction on the website on Thursday, said that Ceku "refused to identify the monastery as part of the Serbian Orthodox Church".

The diocese has complained "about the continuous denial of spiritual and religious identity in Kosovo over the years".

Considering the situation unacceptable, the Diocese has said that "it cannot accept the intervention of Kosovo institutions in the life of the church and the protection of the Banjska Monastery".

"We see this initiative as a political act that does not only aim to place the religious and cultural heritage of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo under the political control of Kosovo's institutions, but also as a further step for the further degradation of our freedom and religious rights and cultural appropriation of our churches and monasteries", says the reaction of the Diocese.

Maliqi believes "there will be new attacks", says Vjosa Osmani "seems informed about the dangers"(Nacionale)

"There will be other attacks", assessed the opinion columnist and researcher Agon Maliqi, speaking about the recent events in Kosovo after Sunday's terrorist attack, where he also gives his reading of the situation after, as he says, the discussions he has developed ‘with informed people inside and outside the country.’

Maliqi's reaction:

A quite problematic number of northern Serbs have mobilized for resistance, with or without Belgrade's help. Russia is more than happy to back up where Belgrade hesitates. Now the extremists also have "martyrs", which will increase the mobilization. We also know from the case of our war that it is not necessary for all Serbs to want war for it to begin. They understand that with each escalation the weight of KFOR increases and they will target it. There will be other attacks that will force our response again.

NATO will not allow the expansion of the conflict nor the wave of refugees towards Serbia. (Edi) Rama is wrong when he recommends increasing the role of KFOR now, but this could be the final result that cuts off the north and seals the division. The success of the police last week should not intoxicate us and produce illusions that the problem has been solved. Public space must now or never be dominated by reason and not by emotions and teenage militancy.

The only way to prevent a cycle of escalation is to follow the course recommended by the President, who seems aware of the risks, and use the political momentum to accelerate the deal. I am afraid that this train has also been lost, because there is a danger that there is no more space for political solutions in the north, nor political actors ready to cooperate in implementation. But at least Kosovo should not be seen as the party that did not do everything to prevent the escalation.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms death of citizen of Kosovo in territory of Serbia (RTK)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, through the Liaison Office of Kosovo in Serbia, has been informed that a citizen of Kosovo has been found without signs of life in the territory of Serbia.

"The circumstances of his death have not yet been fully clarified, but from the information so far there is no indication of a death caused by the Serbian authorities", the announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora states.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora informs that it has instructed the Liaison Office in Serbia to undertake all the necessary steps and appropriate actions regarding the repatriation of the dead body and is in constant contact with the family of the victim to provide them with the necessary institutional support.

Kurti asks for support in clarifying the fate of the missing (Klan)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, met on Thursday the General Director of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), Kathryne Bomberger.

In this meeting, Kurti emphasized the need for a new push in order to reduce the number of missing persons.

"It is important that there is a new push in order to reduce the number above 1,600", Kurti is heard saying in the video sent by the Prime Minister's Office.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: Situation in Kosovo more complicated and dangerous than ever (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Thursday that the situation in Kosovo was more complicated and dangerous than it has ever been, N1 reports.

The President’s office quoted him as saying that the events of September 24 were the clearest indicator of Pristina’s intent to thwart any agreement with Belgrade and the Serbs’ normal life in Kosovo.

In a meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Vucic said Serbia was ready to work on continuing the dialogue facilitated by the European Union (EU), and reiterated that Belgrade has met all its commitments under the Brussels Agreement.

The fragile peace in Kosovo is being preserved thanks to the Serbs’ restraint, stressed Vucic, adding that the Kosovo Serbs are investing huge effort to resist all the pressure from the Pristina regime.

The President emphasized the importance of further international presence in Kosovo.

Vucic called on international community representatives to take all necessary measures in order to prevent dangerous and irresponsible moves by Pristina, to protect the Serb population, and to ensure the withdrawal of the Kosovo police special forces from the north of Kosovo.

Elek: Kosovo special police forcefully entered Clinical Hospital Centre in Mitrovica North, conduct search of some premises (Kosovo Online, N1)

Clinical Hospital Centre in Mitrovica North Director, Zlatan Elek confirmed for Kosovo Online portal that, as he said, violent intrusion of the Kosovo special police forces to this hospital occurred this morning, adding they are still in the hospital, carrying out searches and causing distress among employees and patients.

“They are carrying out searches of the laundry room and some offices at the entry of the hospital. Without any information and knowledge of the management of the hospital and administration, doctor Dragisa Milovic and I made contact with them, and they told us they have a search warrant from the court. They are still in the hospital area, and distress among employees and patients is very strong”, Elek told the portal.

Meanwhile, N1 reports that searches are ongoing in Mitrovica North, in the building where Milan Radoicic used to live before leaving Kosovo. N1 reporter also said police actions are conducted in Zvecan and Zubin Potok. Several armored vehicles are on the ground, with members of Kosovo police special units. Police do not allow journalists to approach the building in Mitrovica North.

In addition to Kosovo special police, a larger number of EULEX vehicles is also present.

Raska-Prizren Diocese responds to Kosovo institutions’ initiative to repair damage at Banjska Monastery (media, SOC’s website)

In light of the initiative by Kosovo institutions and Minister of Culture, Mr. Hajrulla Çeku, for the Ministry to assess and repair the damage at Banjska Monastery caused during recent armed conflicts, the Raska-Prizren Eparchy has adopted the following stance, reads the statement of the Diocese:

“We believe it is essential to repair the damage, and our Diocese has been working for years with the help of local and international benefactors to restore and protect our holy sites, including Banjska Monastery, a significant legacy of Saint King Stefan Milutin from the 14th century.

We are deeply disappointed by Minister Çeku’s public statements on Twitter, where he again refused to acknowledge the proper name of our Church and failed to identify it as a monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church, where regular services are held, a monastic brotherhood resides, and many worshippers come for prayer.

This approach not only appropriates the cultural heritage of the Serbian Orthodox Church and denies its identity but also indicates a preference for the monastery’s early Christian history over its current status as a living monastery, revealing the real attitude of Kosovo institutions towards our cultural heritage.

Our Diocese has been facing continuous denial of the church’s spiritual and religious identity in Kosovo and Metohija for years, with the aforementioned minister leading this trend.

In this unacceptable situation, our Diocese is not able to accept the interference of Kosovo institutions in the life of our Church and the assumption of protection of Banjska Monastery. We primarily see this initiative as a political act aimed not only at placing the religious and cultural heritage of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija under the political control of Kosovo institutions but also as a step towards further degradation of our basic religious freedoms and rights and the cultural appropriation of our churches and monasteries”.

Read the full Raska-Prizren Diocese statement at: rb.gy/6yjyk

Jeremic: A broad national gathering needed in elections for protection of Kosovo (N1, Nova.rs, RTV)

President of the opposition Peoples’ Party (NS) Vuk Jeremic said a broad national gathering is needed at the upcoming elections because of the protection of Kosovo, that would include all organizations which have defense of national interests in the first place, both parliamentary and non-parliamentary, Nova.rs reports.

"In the column that adheres to state-building and national interests, there should be room for those who are currently outside the parliament, such as DJB (It Has Been Enough Movement), as well as for intellectuals and public figures who could contribute to the most important national goal - the preservation of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia", Jeremic told Radio-Television of Vojvodina (RTV).

Jeremic pointed out that Serbia and Serbs in Kosovo are in "acute danger", because the Franco-German agreement for Kosovo independence and Serbia’s recognition of it hangs over them like “the sword of Damocles”, and that this danger can only be removed by a clear and decisive rejection of that plan.

"National unity is needed for that. If we don't achieve it, we won't achieve anything at all. As a generation, we will be responsible for the loss of a part of the territory that defines our national identity. Then, in the future, it will be bad for us as a people", Jeremic said, adding that the position of Serbs in Kosovo has significantly worsened following acceptance of the Franco-German plan.

He also said Pristina security forces should withdraw from northern Kosovo and KFOR to fully take over control for security there.

Dacic meets with German MP Chrupalla, discuss Kosovo issue (Tanjug)

Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic met on Thursday with Tino Chrupalla, Alternative for Germany (AfD) chairman in the German Bundestag.

They expressed regret over the recent incident in Banjska and agreed that a continuation of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue was of great importance for maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Dacic noted the significance of a reaction by the international community and a soonest possible establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities.

Chrupalla said de-escalation in Kosovo and protection of Serbs and other non-Albanian communities there should be a priority at this time and noted that AfD would continue to advocate that position actively as it differed from the position of the ruling majority in the Bundestag.

Mijacic: How long does implementation of freedom of movement agreement need to be waited for? (social media, Kosovo Online)

Coordinator of the EU National Convent for Chapter 35, Dragisa Mijacic asked how long it should be waited before the Agreement on Freedom of Movement from 2011 and CEFTA agreements are fully implemented and why European Union and Quint states remain silent.

He made those remarks in relation to the two administrative crossing points in northern Kosovo, Jarinje and Brnjak being still closed to enter from central Serbia and Pristina’s ban on importing goods from Serbia was still in force.

“As of 24 Sept. Brnjak and Jarinje are closed for entry from Serbia. They are closed for import of 🇷🇸 goods as of 14 June. How much longer to wait until the 2011 Agreement on the Freedom of Movement and the CEFTA Agreement are fully implemented. Why is the EU and the QUINT silent?

EUELX said in no way it was prevented to be present or observe Kosovo police operation in Banjska (KoSSev)

“The EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) in no way was prevented to be present or observe operations conducted by Kosovo police on September 24”, EULEX said in a statement and thus responded to the statements Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic made in a press conference in Belgrade, calming EULEX was forbidden from taking part in investigation into Banjska incident.

Petkovic also said Pristina prevented them from taking part, in order “to conceal the evidence about the brutal murder of two Serbs”.

"Following the attack on Kosovo police and the subsequent intervention by Kosovo police, mobile patrols of the EULEX police unit/reserve police unit, and other EULEX staff members were in close contact with Kosovo police and arrived in the vicinity of the Banjska Monastery in northern Kosovo ", EULEX said in a written response to KoSSev.

They also recalled that the Mission does not have executive mandate to conduct investigations.

"In accordance with its mandate and within the limits allowed by the security situation at the time, EULEX carefully followed the development of security during the entire operation of Kosovo police, remaining all the time in close coordination with Kosovo police and KFOR/NATO", EULEX said.

EULEX: Present during autopsy as observers, Pristina authorities conduct investigation into Banjska case (Kosovo Online)

EULEX received request from the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director, Petar Petkovic, but the Mission does not have executive mandate in the criminal justice system, and Kosovo authorities are fully responsible for the investigation of the events in Banjska, EULEX said in response to Kosovo Online portal’s inquiry if they received Petkovic’s request for independent, international teams of experts, including one delegated by the Serbian side, to be present during autopsy of Serbs killed in armed incident in Banjska.

“In line with our mandate and Kosovo legislations, an EULEX representative was present during autopsy as an observer”, the response adds.

As Petkovic explained earlier Serbia made this request in order “to credibly and transparently determine all circumstances of the death of the Serbs in Banjska, for whom there are reasonable doubts they were liquidated upon their surrender”.

International Media

Kosovo accuses Serbia of involvement in paramilitary ambush (The Guardian)

Kosovo has accused Serbia of being behind a paramilitary group which ambushed a police patrol and clashed with Kosovan forces on Sunday.

The authorities in Pristina displayed an array of modern weaponry they said the group was using, including two Serbian-made armoured cars and a grenade launcher, alongside a document allegedly showing the grenade launcher, made by the Zastava arms company, had been supplied by the Serbian army.