Petkovic: De-escalation must be a priority topic in Dialogue with Pristina

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, stated today that he had just concluded a difficult conversation with the ambassadors of the Quint and the EU, which he urgently convened following a violent action by Albin Kurti and the authorities in Pristina, involving the forced entry into the Regional Waterworks facility in Zubin Potok.

“This is a major project of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, launched in 2013, which supplies drinking water to the population in the north. With this violent intrusion into a Serbian institution, Kurti continues his campaign of pressure against the Serbian people in the north of Kosovo, dismantling Serbian institutions,” Petkovic said.

He added that Kosovo Police also entered a local waterworks in North Mitrovica, where many workers are employed.

“Previously, Kosovo Police had forcibly entered and shut down other institutions, such as the Center for Social Work, the Tax Administration, and others. It is clear that Kurti, frustrated by his inability to form a government or convene a parliament, is masking this internal crisis with renewed attacks on Serbs. I made it very clear to the Quint and the EU representatives that such actions are unacceptable. While we often see statements condemning violence in Kosovo and Metohija, they are rarely followed by concrete steps. The international community’s silence is emboldening Kurti to continue his aggressive behavior toward the Serbian community,” he emphasized.

Petkovic stated that he conveyed a clear message to the Quint and EU Ambassador Emmanuel Giaufret: Belgrade, committed to peace, stability, and dialogue, insists that de-escalation be the top priority in the ongoing discussions with Pristina.

“How can we engage in discussions on other issues while the rights of Serbs in the region are being grossly violated? De-escalation is not only essential for meaningful dialogue—it is also a condition for the EU to lift measures against so-called Kosovo. The EU itself recognizes that de-escalation must be a key topic,” Petkovic added.

He pointed out that since June 3, 2023, when the EU issued a clear statement calling for de-escalation and the withdrawal of Kosovo Police from the north to enable the formation of the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities (CSM), there have been approximately 100 escalatory actions by Kurti’s administration. This, he said, demonstrates Kurti’s intent to remove all Serb presence from northern Kosovo and that he is emboldened by the support and protection he receives, allowing him to sabotage dialogue and threaten the very survival of Serbs in the region.

“Many of the institutions that have been shut down now house Kosovo Police. What we are seeing is the militarization of northern Kosovo, including the construction of police bases. According to the Brussels Agreement, Albanian police with long guns have no place in the north. They have unlawfully established police checkpoints and are now occupying Serbian institutions. The objective is to occupy the north. The Serbs want to work. Serbia will ensure that our people, the employees of the closed institutions both in the north and south of the Ibar, continue to receive their salaries. We will take care of them. Dialogue is necessary—but on the topic of de-escalation, so we can clearly see who is refusing it. That person is Albin Kurti, who is nervous because Kosovo did not gain entry into the Council of Europe, cannot form a government, and resents calls for peace. To distract from issues he does not want his public to focus on, he launches new attacks on the Serbian population and continues dismantling Serbian institutions in the north,” Petkovic stated.

He underlined that the regional waterworks is a critical enterprise and vital infrastructure for the survival of Serbs in Kosovo.

“I made that point to the Quint and the EU. This is not a so-called parallel institution—it is one that operates under Serbian law. Millions of euros have been invested in this enterprise and the construction of the water supply system that runs from Zubin Potok to Zvecan and Kosovska Mitrovica, providing drinking water to all residents in that area. Now, Kosovo Police are forcibly entering the waterworks in North Mitrovica and Zubin Potok to install an unqualified Albanian management team that has no business operating in the north. The intention is to paralyze life for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. That is why I am demanding concrete action from the EU and the Quint—mere statements are not enough. De-escalation must be the first issue on the table in the dialogue with Pristina. We are ready, but what we are witnessing are grave violations of human rights. We demand talks on this and expect the EU and the Quint to engage fully to stop this violence against Serbs. Our institutions are the foundation for the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities, and Kurti, by expelling Serbs, wants to claim there are no Serbs—therefore, no need for the CSM. We will oppose this. It is unacceptable. We must stand by our people in Kosovo and Metohija. President Vucic and our Government are with them. Everyone will receive their salaries, we will protect our people, and we will not allow Kurti to endanger their existence,” Petkovic concluded.

Earlier this morning, Kosovo Police entered the facilities of the Regional Waterworks in Zubin Potok, following similar operations in North Mitrovica in recent days.

Kosovo Police previously raided the offices of the Institution for Sports, Youth, and Specialized Services, as well as the Public Utility Company “Ibar Waterworks,” ordering employees to vacate the premises.

Following these events, Petkovic issued a statement describing the latest raids as a reflection of the ethno-nationalist policies pursued by Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, aimed at expelling all Serbian presence from Kosovo.

European Council President António Costa also reacted, expressing hope that the latest incidents in northern Kosovo were exceptions rather than a new pattern. He reiterated that de-escalation is essential for lifting the EU’s measures against Kosovo.

“I hope these incidents are not a new trend, but rather an exception confirming the rule—that you remain committed to the European path, to de-escalation, and, as President Osmani said yesterday, to actively engaging in dialogue with Belgrade,” Costa stated during a joint press conference with Vjosa Osmani in Pristina.

The German Embassy in Pristina also issued a statement today, warning that such police operations risk further inflaming local tensions and undermining efforts to build trust among the population.

“At this critical moment, actions that further increase tensions are counterproductive and do not contribute to the lifting of measures,” the statement said.