TIRANA, August 11 – The European Union has called for restraint over statements about a possible change to the Ibër River’s flow. It also called for actions that do not serve the normalization of relations between Kosova and Serbia to be avoided.
A European Commission spokesperson said on August 11 that dialogue remains the only way to advance normalization between Kosova and Serbia. The Commission also said that parties should avoid statements about possible changes to the river’s flow.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on August 9 that Serbian authorities were examining the possibility with experts, referring to a possible change in the Ibër’s flow. He linked the issue to the demolition of Serbian houses and villas near Lake Ujman in northern Kosova. The statement drew strong reactions from officials in Kosova and led to a public dispute between Albanian and Serbian officials.
Meanwhile, the European Commission recalled the importance of the dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade. It said progress in the dialogue remains a condition for both sides to advance on their EU paths. The EU also addressed the recent demolitions near Lake Ujman.
The Commission said it had already raised concerns about the recent demolitions. It added that authorities must follow due legal process when measures could have irreversible consequences. Affected people must have an effective opportunity to seek legal protection, having also access to temporary judicial protection when applicable.
The Ibër runs for about 270 kilometers. It rises in Montenegro and crosses Serbia. It then enters Kosova and supplies the artificial Lake Ujman. About two-thirds of the lake lies in Kosova. The Ujman and Ibër-Lepenc system supplies 7 municipalities. It also provides water for irrigation and for cooling power plants in Obilic, which produce most of Kosova’s electricity.
Earlier, experts said engineers could technically divert the Ibër’s flow, saying the project would cost an extremely large amount of money. They also underscored that damage to Kosova from such a diversion would conflict with international principles on transboundary waters.
Serbia signed the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses. The convention sets rules for the equitable and reasonable use of transboundary waters. It also requires states to avoid significant harm to other states. Kosova has not joined the convention because it is not a member of the United Nations.
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