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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance continuously monitors security-related developments in the Western Balkans and maintains regular communication with the authorities in Serbia.
Before the meeting with the defense ministers of the member states, Rutte focused on the situation in Kosovo and demanded accountability for the events of 2023. He announced that NATO expects clarifications for the September 24 attack in Banjska and for the episodes of violence in the north during the same year.
Rutte stressed that the alliance remains in close contact with the Serbian president and follows developments through the KFOR mission, both in Kosovo and Bosnia. According to him, NATO remains directly involved in security issues in the region.
"I and the alliance are in close contact with the Serbian president. We are waiting for an accounting for what happened in Banjska in 2023 and for other events in 2023. We are following the events closely and through KFOR and other activities in the Western Balkans, both in Bosnia and Kosovo, we are very involved and we follow things closely ," Rutte said.
The armed attack in Banjska left Kosovo Police officer Afrim Bunjaku dead. The prosecution has filed an indictment against about 40 people in Serbia, including Milan Radoicic. The defendants are accused of using heavy weapons with the aim of separating northern Kosovo and uniting it with Serbia. As a result of the clash, three more attackers were killed, while the others fled towards Serbia after staying for several hours in the Banjska Monastery.
Milan Radoićić, former deputy leader of the Serbian List, has admitted to organizing the attack. Serbian authorities have not taken steps to extradite the accused.
In May 2023, tensions in the north escalated after Albanian mayors were installed in municipal buildings in Zvečan, Leposavić and Zubin Potok. Serb protests were accompanied by clashes with KFOR troops. Mission soldiers and media representatives were injured during the incidents.
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