Bilcik: Serbs in the north of Kosovo cannot lead normal lives as they did a few years ago

The rapporteur of the European Parliament for Serbia, Vladimir Bilcik, pointed out today that the situation regarding the intention of the authorities in Pristina to carry out the expropriation of land in the municipalities of Zubin Potok and Leposavic was being carefully monitored, indicating that the Serbs in the north of Kosovo cannot lead normal lives today as they could a few years ago.

At the joint press conference with Viola von Cramon, and after the adoption of the report on Serbia and Kosovo and the EP, Bilcik, when asked by Kosovo Online how he commented on today's decision of the Kosovo government on the expropriation of land in the north of Kosovo, emphasized that every move made by the authorities in Pristina must be in accordance with the principles of the rule of law.

"I often talk to people from the north of Kosovo, and what worries me is that when we talk about the normalization of relations, it means that the people living in the region can lead normal lives. But at the moment, many Serbs from the north of Kosovo are not able to lead a normal life, in the sense that they go outside, that they feel safe, that they go to institutions, that they do their daily work, as they could a few years ago. That is why it is very important that Prishtina, with every decision it makes and every step it takes, keeps this in mind. This also means that any measures and actions of the government must be in accordance with the principles of the rule of law. This also applies to extraordinary attempts to expropriate land," Bilcik emphasized.

He pointed out that this issue worries both sides and that the most important thing is to avoid new sparks and tensions.

"Instead, we have to look for solutions for people on the ground, their European future is at stake and this applies to all ethnic groups living in Kosovo, they deserve that future equally," Bilcik said.

He once again emphasized the EP's support for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and the agreements reached in Brussels and Ohrid, as well as the adopted Declaration on missing persons at the last round of negotiations at the highest level.

He also said that he was not happy that the report on Kosovo included an amendment related to the recently held elections in the north of Kosovo, in which criticism was directed at only one side - Belgrade.

"Responsibility for the new situation lies on both sides," Bilcik pointed out, and called for the full implementation of all agreements, including the formation of the Community of Municipalities with a Serbian majority without delay.

He said that the EU's "shuttle diplomacy" is continuing, with great support from American friends, to reach an outcome that is in everyone's interest.

"Now it is important to work on implementation, only that can bring progress in the process and prevent new tensions and violence," Bilcik pointed out.

He once again called on Serbia to harmonize its foreign policy with the EU, especially in relation to Ukraine and Russia.

He reiterated his deepest condolences to the families of the victims in the two tragedies that happened in Belgrade and Mladenovac, stressing that the EP strongly condemns the violence that happened and calls for a thorough investigation of those murders.