Bilcik: The message of the Resolution is that both sides have equal responsibility

Vladimir Bilcik, the European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia, stated that the European Parliament Resolution on the events in Kosovo, adopted today in the European Parliament, was not just a message for one side, but it sent a message that the past must be overcome to avoid repetition, highlighting the equal responsibility of both Belgrade and Pristina, RTV reports.

"From one side, the Resolution conveys what the Serbian side, Belgrade, should do, and that's the main message. But we also expect Pristina to show a serious commitment to dialogue, negotiations, and issues related to the dialogue, such as the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, reducing tensions, and conducting a full investigation into all violent incidents, including attacks on the Serbs, such as the one that occurred on Christmas Eve this year. All of this is stated in the resolution, and it is important," Bilcik said to Tanjug.

He added that the Resolution also contained a clear message regarding measures, which he said would be considered or implemented after a full investigation was completed and only if what had happened in Banjska was clarified.

"That's why we need facts. We also have clear messages about escalation from all sides, and that is very important," Bilcik said.

He emphasizes that he was not initially happy about the Resolution being adopted as it occurred in a very sensitive moment. 

He points out that the call from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to the Kosovo Serbs to participate in elections and the decision of the Serb List to return to the elections is a very important moment.

"Everyone has to do their part to move towards reconciliation and dialogue. We need peace in the Western Balkans, progress on the European path of the Western Balkans, and I think that this is also a clear message highlighted in this Resolution," he said.

He also adds that the text of the Resolution should be read carefully because it contains messages "between the lines" in addition to critical and political messages and one of them is the need to understand what happened in Banjska on September 24.

"Banjska on September 24 is seen as something that changed the game, dialogue, dynamics, and understanding of the complexity of the problem, and the main message is that we need 'facts, facts, and facts’, a thorough investigation, a credible investigation, and justice regarding the case in Banjska when a Kosovo police officer died, as well as all those killed in Banjska," Bilcik said.

According to him, it is necessary to find out exactly what happened in Banjska, why those people were there, what kind of operation it was, and what the intentions were.

"I think we have learned our lesson, that is, relations between Belgrade and Pristina are under extreme tension, which has consequences for the people who were there, as well as for illegal operations, illegal trade, illegal exchange of goods, illegal movement of people, and I think it needs to stop," he said.

He concludes that it is necessary to better understand and establish all the facts of the complete investigation in Banjska, but also emphasizes that dialogue is important, and both sides must return to the dialogue.