In a statement released on social media, the ministry emphasized that one year on, the demand for full accountability remains unchanged.

“Those who planned, financed and executed this attack must face justice and all facts brought to light,” the statement reads.

According to the Ministry, the attack in Banjska was not merely a blow against Kosovo’s police forces, but also against the rule of law, peace, security and efforts to build lasting stability and normalization in the region.

“Leaving such acts unaddressed would send the wrong message to those aiming to undermine peace through violence and intimidation,” the ministry stressed.

The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs underscores that there can be no lasting peace, consolidated stability or genuine normalization and reconciliation without accountability. “Justice is not, and must never be, an obstacle to dialogue. On the contrary, it is one of the essential foundations upon which credible dialogue, mutual trust and long-term reconciliation must rest,” concluded the statement from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. /gj.m/r.e/p.s./

The EU spokesperson Peter Stano said in a press briefing in Brussels on Thursday that EU is waiting for the court’s ruling and that those responsible must be held accountable.

Stano underlined that the EU has repeatedly stated that the attack in Banjska was an action that escalated the situation and that Kosovo court is the one that should decide on the case.

He also called on Serbia to cooperate and allow extradition of Radoicic to Kosovo.

On September 24, 2023, an armed attack took place in the village of Banjska in northern Kosovo, where Serb militants targeted Kosovo police. In the subsequent operation, Kosovo police killed three gunmen. Milan Radoicic took responsibility for the attack five days later, on September 2023. Radoicic has been blacklisted by the United States of America and the United Kingdom for involvement in the international organized crime.

In the end of last year, acting on a request from Kosovo’s Ministry of Interior, the International Police Organization (Interpol) issued an arrest warrant for Radoicic, who walks freely in Serbia.

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“As we stand by Kosovo in deterring any external threat, Albania will continue highlighting to the Kosovo leadership the importance of close coordination with its key allies,” Foreign Minister Hasani said in a statement via the social media.

Albania’s diplomacy chief quoted the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who told the UN Security Council that “acute threats to security and stability are coming from outside Kosovo.”

“Condemning Banjska attack is not enough. We must ensure that it never happens again,” Hasani stated.

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Speaking at a joint press conference after talks with the visiting German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, President Osmani stated that Germany’s support for efforts to prevent such attacks from happening in the future was vital.

She accused Serbia of continued support for the paramilitary groups to plan new attacks on Kosovo.

On his part, Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius underlined the need for calm and maturity to prevent fresh tensions from happening in the country’s north.

He said that Kosovo has the right to enforce its laws on the ban of use of Serbian dinar, yet he noted that more time and information is needed.

“KFOR guarantees stability and security. Stability of Kosovo and the region is of particular importance for us,” he stated.

/KosovaPress/u.sh/