Mijacic: Idea of regulating the Ibar is not new, Vucic's statement created a new dynamic in Serbia-Kosovo relations

President of the National Convention on Chapter 35 Dragisa Mijacic said that the idea of regulating the upper course of the Ibar River was not new and had featured in Serbia's strategic plans for decades, adding that President Aleksandar Vucic's statement about diverting its course had created a new dynamic in relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

"This is not merely about 'changing' the course of the river, but also about constructing a hydropower plant on the section of the river upstream from Ribarice, which is becoming increasingly necessary due to climate change," Mijacic told Nova.

He pointed out that the Ibar had dried up several times along that section and that it was almost certain to happen again in the coming weeks.

For that reason, he said, it was necessary to regulate the river in a way that would facilitate not only the socioeconomic development of the area but also the protection of biodiversity.

On the other hand, Mijacic said that changing the course of the Ibar River represented an instrument through which Serbia could influence political, economic, and social conditions in Kosovo.

He noted that Vucic had previously declined to use this argument, but that his rhetoric had changed following the demolition of houses at Gazivode Lake.

"With that statement, Vucic created a new dynamic in relations between Serbia and Kosovo, one that will be the subject of public debate, strategies, and plans in the years to come. It can certainly also be viewed in the context of the upcoming elections, but it would be naive to believe that it will disappear once the election campaign is over," Mijacic said.