The Committee for Foreign Policy of the European Parliament debated the terrorist attack on the Ibër-Lepenci water channel in Zubin Potok. The chairman of this commission, David McAllister, expressed the EP’s concern about the recent attacks in the north of Kosovo, as he recalled that the European Parliament has strongly condemned these acts, which he said destabilize Kosovo.
Meanwhile, some members of the European Parliament, although they have expressed solidarity with Kosovo, have said that they need to see more evidence about the involvement of the Serbian authorities in the attacks in the north, and some of them have requested an international investigation.
“Thank you for this very shocking but also clear presentation. We all have reason to reflect on this situation, and all the observations you had on what happened. When we have President Vucic in Brussels tomorrow, we will see how he will react. We have to see what happened. Of course all documents should be checked, although it can be difficult to understand everything. Some pretty serious claims have been made, but the first question would be what evidence has already been made available to support these claims or accusations. I strongly believe that even the executive body such as the European Commission would have to take these things very seriously if all that you have told you proves to be true. But we must have facts”, said Michael Gahler, MEP from Germany, after Donika Gërvalla’s speech.
Nacho Sánchez Amor is a Spanish MEP said that he expresses sympathy with the Kosovo authorities. “We understand that your government is in a very difficult situation and we express our support to all affected people and your population. You talked about the historical background and of course the past that happened from Serbia over your country, and then also the Serbian media against your country. You also mentioned President Vučić’s political stances as propaganda and then his dangerous friendships, but the way you described the incident I don’t believe is enough to take it as true. “You mention the criminal groups controlled by Serbia that the attacks lead to the orchestration from Belgrade, but it is difficult to act if more convincing evidence is not provided that there is such responsibility,” he said.
Thomas Waitz MEP from Austria highlighted the need for an international investigation of the case in Varaga of Zubin Potok. “I welcome the fact that Serbia has said that it wants to be part of the investigation, but I remember that even after Banjska they said the same thing, but nothing further happened. It has to be seen who is responsible. The Serbian government must emphasize that many of them are in Serbia, belong to the Serbian community and normally have an extremist orientation, and this must be emphasized based on the events that have taken place. I expect the Government of Serbia to express its willingness to fight these terrorists even within the territory of Serbia”, he said, as he called on the five EU countries to recognize Kosovo.
“The fact that not all EU member states have recognized Kosovo is part of the message we sent to Russia and all those who aim for destabilization. It is high time for the five remaining EU states to recognize Kosovo as an independent state, and this is the key signal to promote peace and good neighborly relations,” said Waitz.
Meanwhile, after the speeches of the MEPs, the chief diplomat Gërvalla addressed them again. She recalled that after the attack in Varaga, the Kosovo Police seized an arsenal of weapons. “There was an arrest of several suspects and a large amount of military uniforms, equipment and ammunition was found, which were taken from the factories directly from Serbia. As for the evidence, it is certainly clear that it is only two and a half days since this horrific attack was designed to cut off water, electricity and telecommunications for more than half of the state’s population. There have been warnings of such attacks. Of course, there will be a real investigation, but we can’t just wait for the physical evidence before thinking about who could be the cause of these actions, because Serbia certainly has a motive to destabilize Kosovo,” she said.
Gërvalla said it is very important to emphasize that despite the fact that these attacks could only be prepared by experts, because they are materials that cannot be bought on the black market.
“The very location of the explosion shows that it is someone who knew very well what he was doing. If you continue with this attitude and keep Serbia on its way to the EU, there will be no motive to stop this type of activity and then expand it to Bosnia and Herzegovina and other countries around. I ask for your support so that together we can put pressure on Serbia, because otherwise it will continue with the same thing”, underlined Gërvalla.
