SESSION OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL ON KOSOVO ENDED: Đurić spoke about the systematic oppression of Serbs, USA calls for the termination of UNMIK! (VIDEO)

Member states of the UN Security Council today highlighted at the UN SC session regarding the situation in Kosovo and Metohija (KiM) that unilateral actions by the Pristina authorities contribute to rising tensions, and they remained divided on the mandate of UNMIK.

During the session, which reviewed the six-month report of UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the work of UNMIK, members called on Belgrade and Pristina to continue dialogue.

The situation in the north is fragile, with dangerous announcements regarding the opening of a bridge in Mitrovica.

UNMIK chief Karolina Ziaade, presenting the report on the situation in KiM, emphasized that despite the desire of all actors for peaceful and constructive dialogue, the situation in the north remains precarious. Actions by the Kosovo authorities in the north and on October 16 in Srbica diminished the ability of minority communities, particularly Serbs, to access basic needs, including healthcare and education, Ziaade stated.

She also warned of the danger posed by the announcements regarding the opening of the bridge in Mitrovica for vehicles, and about various actions by the Kosovo police that are under investigation for excessive use of force. Ziaade noted that the general inspector has proposed the suspension of two police officers due to the arrest of two individuals in the north.

Ziaade called for a comprehensive investigation into the events in Banjska from September 23 last year, labeling it an “unacceptable” and “serious security incident.” She concluded by stating that a recent survey showed a concerningly low level of trust among all communities in Kosovo in institutions and the possibility of reconciliation.

Đurić called for a swift and decisive response from the Security Council.

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić stated that Serbia is firmly committed to key UN documents and the prosperous future of all its residents. Conversely, the situation in KiM has dramatically deteriorated, creating a climate of distrust and fear. “I urge your swift and decisive action. The question is whether we will stand by and watch these events,” Đurić warned.

The Serbian foreign minister emphasized that we are approaching the sad anniversary of the pogrom of 2004, when 28 innocent people were killed and another 1,000 were injured. The recent past of the Serbian population in KiM has been painful, said Đurić.

He also warned that since Kurti’s return to power, a process of marginalization of the Serbian population has been initiated, with over 90 attacks on Serbs and their property without a single arrest.

Đurić further stated that provocative actions by the Kosovo police create fear among the Serbian population, noting that since the rise to power of Albin Kurti’s government, there has been a drastic increase in incidents against Serbs.

“This indicates systematic intimidation of Serbs in KiM,” he said, noting that Kurti does not plan to implement the agreement on the establishment of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, thereby not only denying agreements but also opposing international authorities.

This casts a shadow over the agreements, he added, stating that the Kosovo police, equipped like an army, have injured six persons of Serbian nationality without any accountability.

Đurić provided the ambassadors of Security Council member states with a list of incidents in which Kosovo Serbs suffered, where no one was held accountable for the attacks, and appropriate investigations were not initiated.

Only a miserable percentage of 220,000 displaced Serbs have returned to KiM, said Đurić, warning that Kurti’s government has announced a new round of expropriation of Serbian property, dealing an additional blow to the possibility of Serbs returning to KiM.

Gervala Švarc: Putin could provoke a war in the Balkans.

Kosovo Foreign Minister Donika Gervala Švarc first protested against the use of the term Kosovo and Metohija, then claimed that all Kosovo residents have been granted access to healthcare and education.

Gervala Švarc also stated that by taking over the institutions, “Kosovo authorities have liberated the residents,” denying that there is any instance of discrimination against anyone in KiM.

“We will continue to protect our residents and provide them with all necessary services… We must talk about the dangers that no one wants to discuss. About the war that Putin could provoke in the Balkans,” said the Kosovo minister.

She accused the authorities in Belgrade of wanting to destroy Kosovo’s institutions “even with weapons,” noting that Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin recently laid flowers on the grave of Joseph Visarionovich Dzhugashvili Stalin.

“Serbia is, right after Russia, the greatest danger to peace in Europe. We are in danger,” said Donika Gervala Švarc.

Gervala also claims that KiM has the highest possible level of minority rights protection in Europe, with guaranteed seats in parliament.

The UNMIK report is unreliable, imprecise, and extremely pro-Serbian in tone, said the Kosovo minister, advising ambassadors of Security Council member states to use one of the many other reports instead.

Russia: Pressure on Kurti is necessary.

“Since the ultranationalist movement Self-Determination came to power, the number of ethnically motivated violence has dramatically increased,” warned Russian Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya.

“If there is no pressure on Kurti, he will continue to expel the Serbian population from enclaves. Belgrade is under constant pressure to recognize the independence of Kosovo, while simultaneously ignoring the provisions of the Brussels Agreement, especially Pristina’s obligation to form the Community of Serbian Municipalities,” said the Russian ambassador.

“We seek pressure on Pristina to fulfill this provision immediately and unconditionally,” Nebenzya said, noting that the announcement by the Pristina authorities regarding the formation of a helicopter unit is in direct contradiction to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 from June 1999.

The Russian ambassador stated that UNMIK’s role in the stability of Kosovo is irreplaceable, accusing Kosovo and international authorities of deliberately neglecting investigations into the attacks on two Russian diplomats a few years ago.

USA calls for the termination of UNMIK.

US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood reiterated the call to reassess the role of UNMIK, suggesting that discussions in the Security Council be limited to closed consultations once a year.

“After a quarter of a century, UNMIK has largely outlived its original mandate, and the USA calls on the Security Council to reassess this mission and begin the process of its termination,” said Wood, warning UNMIK to adopt a more neutral stance in future reports on the situation in KiM.

“The goal of the USA is mutual recognition,” said Wood, sharply criticizing Serbian authorities for the fact that those responsible for last year’s events in Banjska remain free.

“We are concerned about the uncoordinated actions taken by the Kosovo government that are not in accordance with the Kosovo authorities’ commitment to participate in the EU-mediated dialogue,” said Wood, noting that such actions affect vulnerable and minority communities.

Đurić’s response: We have no conflict with Albanians but with a regime that systematically endangers Serbs.

At the end of the session, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić responded to the representative of the authorities in Pristina, stating that “there is no conflict with Albanians, but with a regime that systematically endangers Serbs and other non-Albanian communities.”

“Your obsession with President Vučić indicates several things – that he is leading the country well, that our strengthening economy and foreign policy position provoke your anger. You once again show disrespect to the victims of the war, as you inappropriately use the term genocide, especially considering that two-thirds of Serbs were forcibly displaced from Kosovo,” said Đurić.