Stano: Serbia and Kosovo should return to the dialogue; EU's next steps after the full investigation into Banjska

European Union Spokesperson Peter Stano stated today that the message from Brussels and international partners following the meetings of the European Political Community in Granada was that Kosovo and Serbia should return to dialogue and ease tensions in the north and that the EU would decide on the next steps after the investigation into the events in Banjska.

Stano said that the summit in Granada had been a good opportunity for a series of meetings and confirmed that the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, had met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani.

"The message from the High Representative and all EU member states and international partners to Kosovo and Serbia is to return to dialogue. This is the only feasible way to solve the issue of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia," Stano said.

He added that both Serbia and Kosovo were expected to do everything to de-escalate the situation in northern Kosovo.

Regarding the investigation into the events in Banjska, Stano reiterated that the EU expected not only full but also unconditional cooperation from Serbia.

"If there is a will, there is a way. There is no need to hide behind formal recognition or non-recognition. There are plenty of ways to share your findings, cooperate, and contribute to a full investigation because what happened on September 24 is very serious and must be fully clarified because it will have consequences. There will be consequences. So it needs to be investigated fully," he stated.

Stano did not want to comment on individual statements by individuals, the stages of the investigation, or how many people have been accused or not within it.

"The EU's position, which has been repeated several times, is that we expect full and unconditional cooperation from Serbia and from anyone who can help conclude this investigation soon so that we have a clear picture of what happened, who was involved, and who organized it. Based on that, the EU will decide on our next steps in our approach to Serbia, Kosovo, dialogue, and the region," Stano said.

He emphasized that he would not go into details of the conversations with partners on this occasion.

"The bottom line is that the EU expects the results of a full investigation and the cooperation of all those who can contribute to unconditional and full cooperation so that we can have the complete picture of who is responsible and what happened on September 24 in northern Kosovo," Stano concluded.