Tensions in the north/ MEPs make a strong appeal to the EU

The events of September 24 in the north of Kosovo, where an officer lost his life, and Washington's warning last week about an "unprecedented" gathering of Serbian troops near the border with Kosovo have raised fears for the stability of the region.

And while Serbian military officials said yesterday that Belgrade had reduced the number of troops on the border, concerns continue in western capitals, writes The Guardian. 

"I am deeply concerned about the latest attack in Banjska and the possible escalating consequences it may have produced," Cramon said.

Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, who is Parliament's rapporteur on Kosovo, told the Guardian in an email today that "we have witnessed the deterioration and eventual deadlock in the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo".

After the terrorist Milan Radojicic admitted that he was involved in the terrorist attack, Cramon said that it is necessary to know who is behind this attack.

"We need to know to what extent and with whose help he carried out the attack, given the amount of ammunition and armored vehicles," Von Cramon-Taubadel said.

She said there needed to be a review of Brussels' approach.

"The EU must now reassess its overall strategy towards the Serbia-Kosovo talks and the Western Balkans region in general," she said.

"The current approach, which focuses on economic and political stability, led to the attack in Banjska. Instead, we should prioritize the basics – the rule of law and democracy and engage more with progressive voices from across the region,” she said.

"Finally, we need an immediate reinforcement of KFOR and EUFOR - nothing prevents better than the presence of strong NATO troops on the ground," she added.

The European Parliament will debate this afternoon on the situation in Kosovo and Serbia.

Before the discussion, The Guardian asked an MEP who closely follows developments in the region how the tensions are seen.

“Unë mendoj se të dyja palët kanë përgjegjësi të madhe për t’u siguruar që ne t’i rikthehemi dialogut sa më shpejt të jetë e mundur”, tha Vladimír Bil?ík, një anëtar sllovak i Parlamentit Europian, në një intervistë telefonike këtë mëngjes.

Bil?ík, i cili shërben si negociator i PE-së për Serbinë, tha se “ne duhet të shikojmë me kujdes situatën si në Beograd ashtu edhe në Prishtinë”.

“Fatkeqësisht”, shtoi ai, “me ardhjen e Albin Kurtit në pushtet [në Kosovë] negociatat me të vërtetë kanë ngecur dhe nuk kanë lëvizur në drejtim të gjetjes së një zgjidhjeje – dhe këtë po e them si dikush që është shumë i hapur në kritika ndaj palës serbe”.

"The recent deadly shootings in northern Kosovo are "absolutely disgusting and unacceptable – and this is really an extremely dangerous situation that shows that things can really get out of hand. And it's important that de-escalation happens , so that there is a full investigation", said Bil?ík.