Bilcik: Serb municipalities an absolute priority

BELGRADE - The European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia Vladimir Bilcik said on Wednesday the establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo-Metohija was an absolute priority that must be delivered on.

"I think that that has been made very clear, also from the resolutions of the European Parliament - I have always insisted on that - but also from the public statements by the many European politicians. At the same time, there is also quite a bit of homework to be done on the side of Serbia," Bilcik told Tanjug in an interview.

He said that, in the dialogue with Pristina, Belgrade had played "a very constructive role over the years, and a number of achievements have been done."

"I think there is, at least on paper, light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to how this dialogue should proceed and how this dialogue may end, but there are still some serious obstacles on the way, and I hope that this dialogue continues and actually brings results," he said.

"I will mention one issue that I feel should be dealt with..., and that is the attack and the events in Banjska. I know this is not on the radar at the moment, but it is an issue which is going to be a recurring issue. Unfortunately, since that attack, Serbia, in that dialogue, also in the eyes of the European partners, has lost some standing. And I think that standing can be regained by full and constructive engagement in dialogue, but also when it comes to a consequential closure of the attack in Banjska," Bilcik said.