Serbia’s new government is facing its first major test in its relations with the European Union, the Western Balkans and Kosovo, security expert Arben Dashevci has said, expressing scepticism that Belgrade will change its longstanding position towards Kosovo.
Dashevci believes the new Serbian authorities could take action against individuals linked to Milan Radoičić, but he does not expect them to hand him over to Kosovo’s authorities in connection with the September 2023 armed attack in Banjska.
Speaking to Bota Sot, Dashevci stressed that Serbia’s position on Kosovo’s statehood remains unchanged, despite the political changes in Belgrade.
“We must be realistic and approach Serbia’s position towards the Republic of Kosovo with considerable reservations, because its stance remains the same: it does not recognise us as a state,” he said.
According to Dashevci, the new government could initiate arrests and investigations involving figures such as Radoičić, Veselinović and Vulin over alleged criminal activities and corruption within Serbia.
He also pointed to the reported dismissal of key police officials, arguing that developments within Serbia could signal an initial shift in the authorities’ approach to internal security matters and the handling of protests.
Dashevci believes the new government could take immediate steps to bring Radoičić to justice over alleged crimes and corruption in Serbia. However, he does not expect similar action concerning the armed attack in Banjska, which targeted Kosovo Police officers.
“I believe the new Serbian government will take concrete and immediate steps to bring Milan Radoičić to justice for crimes and corruption within Serbia. However, I do not believe this new government will take any action regarding the attack in Banjska,” he said.
He argued that only substantial pressure from the European Union could change Belgrade’s position and encourage cooperation in bringing those responsible for the attack against Kosovo Police to justice.
“Only strong pressure from the European Union can influence the position of the new Serbian government towards Kosovo or lead to the extradition of the criminals responsible for Banjska. Without serious pressure, they will not hand them over,” Dashevci said.
He concluded that the Banjska case represents a decisive test of whether Serbia is prepared to accept responsibility for the attack against Kosovo’s institutions, while maintaining that he remains sceptical about Belgrade taking meaningful action.
