Serb List calls on Costa for stronger EU engagement in protecting Serb rights and establishing the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities

A delegation of the Serb List, led by its president, Prof. Dr. Zlatan Elek, today called on President of the European Council António Costa to ensure a clearer and more decisive engagement by the European Union in protecting the rights of the Serbian people, upholding the rule of law, and preventing unilateral actions that further increase tensions on the ground. Particular emphasis was placed on the implementation of agreements already reached and the long-overdue establishment of the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities (CSM), which was promised 13 years ago.

According to a statement issued by the Serb List, discussions with Costa focused on the increasingly difficult position of the Serbian community in Kosovo, the need to respect the fundamental human and political rights of Serbs, and the growing number of what they described as unjustified arrests, which, they warned, are becoming a troubling practice.

Representatives of the Serb List stressed that the Serbian community has for years been subjected to institutional pressure, discrimination, and unilateral actions by the authorities in Pristina, all of which further undermine security and trust among citizens.

The statement further noted that particular concern was expressed over the fact that the current election campaign is once again being conducted, in their view, “at the expense of the Serbian people.”

“The campaign began with the arrest of officials from Serbian institutions, for whom the Serb List has requested release pending trial, given that there are no grounds for their continued detention,” the statement said.

The delegation also drew attention to what it described as incursions by Kosovo institutions into railway stations in northern Kosovo, as well as the unilateral installation of street names in Serb-majority areas without any consultation with representatives of the Serbian community, despite ongoing court proceedings concerning the matter.

Representatives of the Serb List reiterated that Serbs seek peace, stability, and dialogue, while at the same time expecting their rights to be protected and respected in accordance with European values and the international commitments undertaken.