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Kosovo Council: Build Ibar Hydro Plant for Needs, Not Spite
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Energy & Infrastructure

Kosovo Council: Build Ibar Hydro Plant for Needs, Not Spite

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The National Council of Kosovo and Metohija suggests Serbia build a new hydroelectric plant on the Ibar River based on energy needs, not political protest.
  • The council argues that altering the Ibar's course would negatively impact both Albanian and Serb communities reliant on its water.
  • They criticize Serbian President Aleksandar Vuฤiฤ‡'s proposal as overly ambitious and politically motivated, suggesting he lacks the resolve to implement it.

The National Council of Kosovo and Metohija has proposed that Serbia construct a new hydroelectric power plant on the Ibar River, located above Ribariฤ‡e near Batrage village in Tutin municipality. However, they stress that such a project should stem from Serbia's genuine energy requirements, rather than being a retaliatory measure against Pristina.

The change in the course of the Ibar River would certainly greatly affect the Albanians because Pristina, Vuฤitrn, and Srbica are supplied with drinking water, but also the Serbs, because the same water is used for the needs of the municipalities of North Mitrovica, Zveฤan, and Zubin Potok.

โ€” National Council of Kosovo and MetohijaIn a statement explaining the potential impact of altering the Ibar River's course.

The council stated that diverting the Ibar River's course would significantly affect Albanian populations, as Pristina, Vuฤitrn, and Srbica rely on it for drinking water. Simultaneously, it would also impact Serb communities in North Mitrovica, Zveฤan, and Zubin Potok, which also depend on the river's water supply.

According to the council, Serbian President Aleksandar Vuฤiฤ‡'s announcement about altering the Ibar's flow towards the Novopazarska Kotlina appears overly ambitious. They liken it to previous "failed threats" against Pristina, such as raising the Serbian army's combat readiness and moving tanks, suggesting Vuฤiฤ‡ lacks the courage for such actions. Albanian media reportedly mock these proposals, viewing Vuฤiฤ‡ as weak in the current global power dynamics.

Albanian media in Pristina react to the Serbian president's idea with mockery, jeering at him, knowing that in the current constellation of world power, he resembles the Weak Uroลก. They know that he has neither the drive, nor the boldness, nor the courage for such a thing. It would be too much for the cat, as the Serbian proverb says.

โ€” National Council of Kosovo and MetohijaDescribing the perceived reaction in Albanian media to President Vuฤiฤ‡'s proposal.

The council further advised that if Vuฤiฤ‡ is serious about the issue, Serbia should request the EU to allow the Serbian government to appoint a management structure for the Ibar-Lepenac hydrosystem, which Serbia originally built. If Pristina refuses, Serbia should then annul the energy agreement with Pristina. The council believes Vuฤiฤ‡ will likely avoid this path, prioritizing his political position over the struggle for Kosovo and Metohija, which they argue has been a failure during his 15-year rule.

His function and ruling throne are more important to him than the fight for Kosovo and Metohija. After all, during his 15 years of rule, his policy towards the southern Serbian province has been a fiasco in every sense. Political, economic, national, state, and it is time for him to go.

โ€” National Council of Kosovo and MetohijaCriticizing President Vuฤiฤ‡'s leadership and policies regarding Kosovo and Metohija.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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