The European Parliament (EP) rapporteur for Serbia Tonino Pizzulla believes that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic "would prefer to cause unrest in northern Kosovo", but at the moment he cannot do so because he has spent all the credits "after the invasion of the Serbian paramilitary groups in Banska".

BGNES recalls that on 24 September 2023, a group of heavily armed Serbs attacked the village of Banska in northern Kosovo. One policeman and three of the attackers were killed in a pitched battle with Kosovo police. Milan Radojcic, a close friend of Vucic and former deputy chairman of the Serbian List (the largest party of Kosovo Serbs), claimed responsibility for the attack. After the attack, Radojcic fled to Serbia, which has refused to indict him or extradite him to Kosovo.

In an interview with Jutarnji list, Picula pointed out that Vucic's current strategy is aimed at destabilisation without directly using force.

The EP rapporteur pointed out that any possible destabilisation in Kosovo now would "cost Vučić dearly" and that is why he is more focused on domestic political tensions and "provocations towards Croatia".

Speaking about Serbia's further European prospects, Picula said Belgrade cannot become an EU member until it recognises Kosovo's independence and abandons the "Serbian world" policy.

"Vucic is using the EU as an ATM. Serbian citizens are exposed to a narrative that favours fraternal and friendly ties with Beijing and Moscow, while the West and the EU are demonised. If a referendum on Serbia's EU entry is organised tomorrow, we should not expect an impressive result," said Picula.

Criticising the Serbian president's behaviour, the rapporteur said Vučić was using the "colour revolution" narrative as a means to maintain political control.

"The story of a colour revolution, sponsored by the West, the EU and Croatia, is a tool for Vučić to present himself to those who support him as a man who still holds all the strings," Picula said, adding that the change of government in Serbia poses risks for which the EU might not be prepared.

Picula warned that "Vucic's use of force could lead to a change in the attitude of European institutions towards him".

"That's why he sends thugs, different provocateurs, party people who want to weaken this desire for protests, but he fails," the rapporteur said.

He announced that in early May the European Parliament will vote on his report on the situation in Serbia, which, as he said, "lists all the open issues that Serbia has failed to resolve and which are criteria for progress towards EU membership". | BGNES