The German Embassy in Pristina stated today that “inaction in prosecuting violent offenders is as regrettable and counterproductive as any uncoordinated measures taken by Pristina.”
The embassy was responding to remarks made yesterday by Petar Petković, director of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, who had criticized the laying of the foundation stone for two new bridges in North Mitrovica.
The German Embassy first emphasized that it remains consistent in its appeals to the Kosovo government to refrain from escalatory moves. However, it added:
“Calls for de-escalation must apply equally to all parties.”
Here, the embassy referred to accountability for the Banjska attack:
“It is certainly not the Kosovan government which is failing to enforce legal measures against those responsible for the heinous attack in Banjska. The fact that the self-confessed leader of that attack, the Kosovo Serb and former vice chairman of Srpska Lista, Mr. Radoičić, publicly admitted responsibility yet continues to move freely on Serbian territory deeply undermines efforts to foster trust and accountability in the region.”
The embassy then cited a German proverb: “Erstmal vor der eigenen Haustür kehren,” or
“First sweep in front of your own door.”
In the context of the current situation, they explained this means one “must put its own house in order before constantly reproaching Kosovo for its decisions.”
“Inaction in prosecuting violent offenders is just as regrettable and counterproductive as any uncoordinated measures taken by Pristina,” the embassy reiterated in its statement.
Yesterday, while Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti was laying the foundation stone for the construction of two new bridges in Mitrovica, the German Embassy, along with the European Union, called on Kosovo authorities to refrain from such actions and warned about potential escalations in northern Kosovo.
“We fully support the European Union’s call on the Kosovo government to refrain from building two new crossings over the Ibar River in Mitrovica. Instead of uncoordinated and potentially escalatory moves, such as building additional bridges, the focus should be on far more urgent challenges,” said Christian Becher, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, speaking to Gazeta Express yesterday.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
