Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, has called on the international community to isolate Serbia until Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić takes action against Minister Paunović over her controversial remarks that, had she been in Slobodan Milošević’s position, she would have carried out ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.
Speaking live on A2 CNN’s weekend news program, Sveçla described the European Union’s response so far as too mild. He argued that Vučić should not only dismiss Paunović from office but that she should also face criminal prosecution over her statements.
“As far as the international community is concerned, I still believe the response has been too weak. Serbia’s government should be isolated until it takes action against its officials for their language, their conduct toward the Albanian people, and their disregard for European standards,” Sveçla said.
He added that such statements violate the most fundamental values of the West, emphasizing that Kosovo aspires to integrate into the European Union and NATO.
“A statement saying ‘this language is unacceptable in Europe’ is simply not enough. Vučić’s response has been purely verbal. At a minimum, he should dismiss the deputy prime minister and minister, and criminal proceedings should also be initiated,” the Interior Minister stated.
