European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos has again condemned remarks by Serbian Minister Snezhana Paunović about the “ethnic cleansing” of Kosovo.
Kos said she was shocked that Paunović remains in office after making such a statement. She also warned politicians in EU candidate countries that their words carry weight.
The United Kingdom also condemned the remarks. London called the language “abhorrent” and said references to ethnic cleansing have no place in modern society.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said Paunović’s comments do not represent his position or that of the Serbian government. He said Serbia supports dialogue, not ethnic cleansing.
Paunović later said her remarks had been taken out of context. She also apologized to Vučić and the Serbian government for the reaction they caused.
Kosovo declared Paunović persona non grata on July 14. The decision permanently bans her from entering or transiting through Kosovo.
Observers from Kosovo and Serbia said the remarks reflect a broader political pattern in Serbia’s approach to Kosovo. They called on the international community to take concrete action instead of limiting its response to condemnation.
Kosovo officials also said Serbia has never fully distanced itself from the policies of Slobodan Milošević.
During the 1998–1999 Kosovo war, more than 13,000 civilians were killed. Thousands more disappeared, and more than 1,500 people remain missing.
Kos also said Serbia’s low public support for EU integration partly reflects the messages sent by its politicians and media. She stressed that candidate countries must not use anti-European rhetoric against MEPs, journalists, or critics.
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