🧵Many facts to be established following the murder of a Kosovar police officer but impunity breeds contempt for the rule of law & order, so accountability is the priority alongside an urgent re-evaluation to put fairness & balance at the heart of int’l approach to Serbia–Kosovo.

— Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) September 25, 2023

2/ The recent trend of punishing Kosovo and pandering to the increasingly autocratic Vucic is leading us deeper into a cycle of violence, instability, and ill-feeling, whilst the light at the end of the tunnel of normalisation and EU membership for both dims ever more.

— Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) September 25, 2023

3/The UK has more responsibility to contribute to the success of Kosovo more responsibility than most and to ensure we do not see a return to the brutality of the 1990’s.

So what now?

— Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) September 25, 2023

3/The UK has more responsibility to contribute to the success of Kosovo more responsibility than most and to ensure we do not see a return to the brutality of the 1990’s.

So what now?

— Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) September 25, 2023

4/ Kosovo’s police will be investigating the paramilitary groups responsible for the murder of Officer Afrim Bunjaku.

How they are funded, armed and how they transported weapons into/around Kosovo.

Who do they take their instructions from?

— Alicia Kearns MP (@aliciakearns) September 25, 2023

5/ KFOR & EULEX should aid investigations and share all intelligence on arms caches and movements with Kosovo Govt and member nations to help answer concerns around Belgrade actors’ involvement in the murder of the Kosovar police officer and the orchestrated road blockades.
6/ If initial images are accurate, KFOR must investigate the vehicles and weapons systems which had, what we must assume for now are fake, stickers baring their name.

They cannot simply pretend there are not signs of attempts or intentions by paramilitaries to impersonate them.
7/ UK as member of Quint should assume more active role in peace dialogue between Serbia/Kosovo – current passivity is untenable.

UK no longer constrained by EU consensus & non-recognisers so must be more muscular & dynamic in diplo efforts.

We need a backbone in the Balkans.
8/ We must also increase deterrence measures and secure an increase from KFOR’s 4,500 troops drawing from a wider group of member states contributing to this peacekeeping force.
9/ The government of Serbia must finally engage meaningfully in normalisation efforts, and end its use of radicalising rhetoric and the weaponsation of ethnic divisions which incite hatred.

The EU and US must no longer turn a blind eye to intransigence from Serbia.
10/ The government of Kosovo must outline its commitment to supporting Serb-Kosovan communities, ensuring their representation and active participation in democracy without unwarranted foreign interference.
11/ The EU must engage the five EU states that do not recognise Kosovo’s sovereignty to support Kosovo’s trajectory towards EU and NATO membership, while solidifying the inviolability of its territorial integrity.
12/ The UK should lead efforts for a security alliance between the US, UK, other willing NATO member states, & Kosovo until Kosovo attains full NATO membership.

Such an arrangement would address immediate security concerns and pave the path for long-term stability in the region.
13/ Failure is not an option.

Deterrence in the Balkans must be a priority for the UK and Europe.

Action must be taken now to prevent further escalation and secure a peaceful future for all in the Balkans