Albania PM: Ibar River will flow by geography, not political folklore

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has sharply retorted to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić's suggestion that Serbia might divert the Ibar River, a move that could jeopardize water supply to Kosovo. Rama declared that the river will continue to flow according to its geographical path, dismissing the idea that political folklore could alter its course.

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the Ibar will continue to flow in accordance with geography, and not political folklore.

Rama addressed the recent exchange between the foreign ministers of Albania and Serbia, noting how the discussion about the Ibar River escalated from hydrology to international law. He sarcastically mentioned the obligatory stops at "Greater Albania" and "Kosovo and Metohija," ultimately arriving at "the well-known museum of Serbian historical fears."

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Very interesting summertime exchange between our foreign ministers. Although I was expecting an answer about the #Ibër, we somehow travelled from hydrology to international law, made the obligatory stop at “Greater Albania”, passed through “Kosovo and Metohija”, and eventually arrived at the well-known museum of Serbian historical fears.

Reiterating Albania's lack of territorial ambitions, Rama stated, "We do not need 'Greater Albania' to stand with Kosovo." He emphasized Kosovo's status as a sovereign nation with its own institutions and the right to self-determination, which Albania consistently supports. Rama asserted that Serbia "lost Kosovo" and, consequently, its natural resources.

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Kosovo is a state in itself. The Albanians from Kosovo are precisely that: Albanians from Kosovo. They have their own Republic, their own institutions, and the right to determine their own future. We will always support that right.

He concluded by highlighting that the Ibar River is a transboundary water system. While Serbia can manage resources within its jurisdiction, "rivers have this inconvenient habit of following geography, not diplomatic messages." Rama also acknowledged the importance of the Serbian community in Kosovo, stressing that their rights, security, property, language, and cultural heritage must be protected.

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Serbia lost Kosovo and, by extension, lost the natural resources located there.