Petkovic: Kurti wants neither Serbs, peace, nor dialogue—Northern Kosovo faces further occupation

The Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, stated that Albin Kurti neither wants Serbs in Kosovo, peace, nor dialogue. He emphasized that the situation following the damage to the Ibar-Lepenac canal benefits Kurti alone, enabling him to continue his attacks on Serbs, his anti-Serb policies, and the persecution of the Serbian people.
Speaking to RTS, Petkovic reassured citizens in the north that there is electricity and water and urged them to stay calm, not fall for provocations, and place their trust in Serbia and President Aleksandar Vucic.
Petkovic highlighted that Serbia had offered logistical, financial, and other forms of assistance, emphasizing that an incident leading to a humanitarian catastrophe goes against the interests of Serbia and Serbs in Kosovo. He pointed out that the damaged canal supplies water to Serbs in the north.
He accused Pristina's regime of orchestrating a further occupation of northern Kosovo, a situation that solely benefits them.
“Every day, they either lay a foundation stone for new constructions or work on building new police stations. There are four new ones in Leposavic, one in Zubin Potok, and substations in Zvecan and Kosovska Mitrovica, using the former Military Repair Facility. They have also built four illegal bases in Zubin Potok and Leposavic, and a base near the Bistrica Bridge. There isn’t a single spot without unlawfully stationed Kosovo police, who, according to the Brussels Agreement, shouldn’t even be in the north, especially not with heavy weapons,” Petkovic said.
He added that yesterday Pristina brought over 10 buses full of heavily armed police to South Mitrovica, from where they moved to the north, entering and searching homes.
“Never have there been more police present. This shows that this situation is not in Belgrade’s interest. It provided Kurti with an alibi to continue new attacks in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, his anti-Serb policies, and the persecution of Serbs, which he desperately needs now. It was only a matter of time before he launched new unilateral moves and propaganda, as his approval ratings are dropping. Since he cannot offer jobs, factories, or higher wages, he resorts to attacks on Serbs and the occupation of the north ahead of elections,” Petkovic said.
He reiterated the need for an objective investigation, calling on KFOR and EULEX to intervene.
Petkovic noted that Serbia has invested significantly in regional water supply systems in Kosovo and fought for the energy agreement to ensure stable water and electricity supplies for Serbs.
“This goes against all that. It’s not Serbia holding elections; Pristina is. And now, decisions on Serbia’s EU accession clusters are due. This doesn’t suit us at all. But there are those calling for the lifting of sanctions on Kosovo who find this situation advantageous,” Petkovic observed.
He accused Kurti of orchestrating incidents and attacks in the north to avoid fulfilling obligations, particularly establishing the Community of Serbian Municipalities (CSM).
Regarding the detained Dusan Milanovic, Petkovic described him as an honorable man whom Pristina accuses of something unrelated to his journalistic work. This, Petkovic argued, demonstrates Pristina’s attitude toward Serbian media.
“Arrests continue to intimidate Serbs. They claimed six arrests; according to our information, two remain in custody. This shows even they no longer know what they are doing. But the idea is to victimize as many Serbs as possible and subject them to Kurti’s regime of fear,” Petkovic stated.
He emphasized that the Serbian people in the north are peaceful, honest, and hardworking, only wanting to live normal lives.
When asked about the EU and KFOR's initial reactions and the possibility of continuing dialogue in this situation, Petkovic said Pristina clearly does not want to talk.
“Pristina clearly avoids dialogue and seeks a path contrary to it. For us, the Serbian people come first. To ensure peace and security, all agreed commitments in the dialogue must be fulfilled. That’s why we insist on dialogue. There is no alternative to preserving Serbs’ rights through dialogue. Kurti does not want this—he does not want Serbs, peace, or dialogue. That’s why he resorts to unilateral moves,” he explained.
Petkovic pointed out that since the EU statement calling for new elections in the north and the establishment of the CSM, there have been 90 escalating actions.
“They don’t want anything. On the other side, you have various EU, Quint, and other statements verbally condemning attacks, like what happened in Vargane, but there is no concrete action towards de-escalation,” he stressed.
Petkovic emphasized to EU representatives that while everything on the agenda can be discussed, it is impossible to have meaningful talks amid the closure of Serbian municipalities and banks, arrests of Serbs, attempts to shut down Serbian schools, and constant tension.
He called on the Serbian people not to fall for provocations, remain calm, and trust their country and President Aleksandar Vucic, who, Petkovic said, will raise critical issues and reveal Kurti’s and Pristina’s dangerous intentions.
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