The United States and the European Union have issued sharp criticisms regarding a scandalous statement made by Serbian Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government Snežana Paunović, warning that political leaders in the Western Balkans must use constructive language that contributes to peace and stability.
Washington’s reaction followed a July 11 television appearance on Kurir TV by Paunović, a high-ranking official of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), during which she stated that she “would have ethnically cleansed Kosovo in 1998” had she been in the position of then-Serbian leader Slobodan Milošević.
State Department: Peace and Normalization Are Absolute Priorities
In an official response to the Pristina-based portal Gazeta Express, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department underscored that inflammatory rhetoric directly undermines regional stability efforts:
“The priority of the United States in the Western Balkans is peace and stability. The normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is an essential part of this process. We encourage political leaders to use constructive language to contribute to achieving this goal.”
European Union Shocked: “Cannot Imagine Her Remaining a Minister”
Alongside Washington, the statement faced fierce condemnation in Brussels. The new European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, openly questioned Paunović’s future in the Serbian Government following the outburst. Kos emphasized that such remarks run completely contrary to the obligations Serbia has undertaken as part of the EU-facilitated dialogue on the normalization of relations.
Political Fallout and Regional Reactions
Minister Paunović’s statement triggered a swift chain reaction and deep political tremors across the region and on the domestic front:
- Pristina’s Response: Authorities in Pristina declared Snežana Paunović “persona non grata” (an unwelcome person). Kosovo’s Minister of Justice, Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, filed an official criminal complaint against her for inciting national hatred, discord, and intolerance.
- Demands for Ouster in Serbia: Several opposition parties (including the Free Citizens Movement) and non-governmental organizations associated with the National Convent on the EU demanded her immediate dismissal, reminding the public that it was precisely this type of 1990s rhetoric that previously led the country into international isolation and war.
- Defense and Justification: SPS President Ivica Dačić defended the minister, accusing critics of hypocrisy and of ignoring the historic suffering of the Serb population.
Damage Control Attempt: “Taken Out of Context”
As the scandal escalated, Paunović appeared on Informer TV to state that while she stands by her words, her statement was “politically spun and taken out of context.” She clarified that by “cleansing,” she did not mean the liquidation of civilians, but rather the expulsion of those who “did not feel like citizens of the FR Yugoslavia” and the elimination of terrorists.
However, acutely aware of the diplomatic damage caused to official Belgrade, the minister issued a public apology to President Aleksandar Vučić, Prime Minister Đuro Macut, and the Government of Serbia for the inconvenience they are facing due to her personal views.
