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EU Condemns Serbian Minister's Kosovo Ethnic Cleansing Claim

7/15/2026

Summary

Hipper Condemns Serbia

European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper condemned Serbian minister Snezhana Paunovic’s claim she would have carried out ethnic cleansing of Kosovo in 1998.
Anitta Hipper said Europe has no place for rhetoric that justifies ethnic cleansing.
Anitta Hipper added the remarks breach Serbia’s commitments in the EU-facilitated dialogue on normalising relations with Kosovo.
Anitta Hipper said the EU expects leaders to act responsibly, avoid inflammatory rhetoric, and support regional stability.

Summary

Paunovic Faces Backlash

The Party of Freedom and Justice demanded prosecutors assess whether MP Milica Paunovic’s remarks breach Article 317, criminalising incitement of hatred.
The Movement of Free Citizens and the National Convention called for Paunovic’s dismissal, replacement and expulsion.
Paunovic responded on Instagram dismissing critics as ‘soul-suckers’ and saying she would return Albanians to Albania.
She faced a 2025 €12,000 controversy, which could damage Serbia’s image and complicate Serbs in Kosovo.

Summary

Dacic Defends

Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic defended Snežana Paunovic, calling criticism “shameful and hypocritical” and accusing opponents of “hatred from Kosovo.”
SPS vice-president Branko Ružic said ethnic cleansing was never party policy and warned the remarks harm Serbia’s EU prospects.
After Paunovic repeated the claim on “Neispricano” on 11 July, Albanian MP Šaip Kamberi said he will start an initiative to dismiss her.

Summary

Paunovic Calls Expulsion

Serbian politician Milica Paunovic said Albanians should be returned to their mother country, invoking ethnic-cleansing rhetoric.
Natasa Kandic of the Humanitarian Law Centre warned the remarks revive war-era ideology and jeopardize Serbia’s EU path.
Andin Hoti, Kosovo’s social-welfare minister, said the comments mirror Milosevic’s genocidal rhetoric and prove Serbia has not shed its past.

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Hipper Condemns Serbia

European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper condemned Serbian minister Snezhana Paunovic’s claim she would have carried out ethnic cleansing of Kosovo in 1998.
Anitta Hipper said Europe has no place for rhetoric that justifies ethnic cleansing.
Anitta Hipper added the remarks breach Serbia’s commitments in the EU-facilitated dialogue on normalising relations with Kosovo.
Anitta Hipper said the EU expects leaders to act responsibly, avoid inflammatory rhetoric, and support regional stability.

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