Starovic: Incident in the North is Kurti's manipulation to legitimize repression against Serbs

Serbian Minister of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, Nemanja Starovic, stated that the incident in Zubin Potok has no connection to the Serbian authorities or the legitimate representatives of Serbs in northern Kosovo. Instead, he described it as a manipulation by Albin Kurti aimed at legitimizing intensified repression against the Serbian people.

"We are witnessing the deployment of around 2,000 members of so-called special, monoethnic Kosovo police forces in northern Kosovo," Starovic warned while speaking on TV Informer.

He noted that it is telling that just nine minutes after the news of the incident, Kurti requested the deployment of Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) in the north from KFOR.

"It's good that KFOR did not allow it, but this shows us that Kurti is at the very least using the incident to escalate repression. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is also behind it," Starovic stated.

He emphasized that Serbia will insist on answers to all questions related to the incident, conduct its own investigation as much as possible, and ensure the issue does not fade from memory while the country suffers damage on the international stage.

Starovic pointed out that Kurti aims to delay and disrupt Serbia’s European integration, which is why this incident occurred just as decisions are being made about opening Cluster 3 in the EU accession process.

He reminded that President Aleksandar Vucic stated Serbia is ready to assist EULEX, KFOR, and even Pristina in resolving issues related to water and electricity supply, as Serbs in the north are the most affected during such incidents.

"That's why we must always ask who benefits from this and who can use or abuse it. Serbia gains nothing; only Kurti does," Starovic said.

He observed that the cautious reactions of the international community indicate that it is clear Serbia is not involved in the incident. Otherwise, he said, official Belgrade would already be facing criticism.

Commenting on the statement by German MP Michael Roth, Starovic described him as an "established Albanian lobbyist" who has lost political relevance, calling his statements a "swan song" to justify past investments in him.

"Let’s set aside Roth’s statements, as they’re not surprising. What’s more important is hearing clear positions from the State Department, official Berlin, and Paris. Their cautious approach shows they are aware of the real situation," Starovic concluded.

He announced his upcoming visit to Washington, where he will attend the Annual Forum of the International Democrat Union, gathering over 80 political parties from more than 60 countries, led by the Republican Party.

"I will use every opportunity, every meeting with Republicans and representatives of other parties, to highlight the facts and defend Serbia’s foreign policy position," Starovic said.

He also noted potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy, with a possible pivot inward, adding that a Donald Trump administration might be more willing to listen to Serbia.

However, he expressed concern over the next two months, seeing it as a window of opportunity for individuals like Kurti to act before Trump potentially assumes the presidency.

When asked whether Pristina's motivation for the Zubin Potok incident is the upcoming elections, he recalled that Kurti came to power with promises of economic progress and new jobs, but failed to deliver.

"All he has left is to intensify his campaign by repressing Serbs and effectively occupying the north. The problem is that this coincides with the U.S. transition period, which he sees as a chance to strengthen his campaign. He’s boosting his ratings through repression against Serbs," Starovic said.

He added that Kurti’s goal is to declare the Serb List a terrorist organization, preventing its potential participation in Kosovo’s February 9 elections.

"Some projections indicate Kurti won’t secure a majority without MPs from non-majority communities, specifically the 10 seats guaranteed for the Serbian community, which the Serb List has consistently won," Starovic said.

He highlighted the difficult living conditions for Serbs, especially in northern Kosovo, over the past three and a half years since Kurti came to power.

"This is a deliberate and systematic creation of unbearable conditions for the entire non-majority community, for Serbs. According to the International Convention on the Prevention of Genocide, this qualifies as an act of genocide. Yet, the international community politically turns a blind eye, enabling Kurti to implement his sovereignty across Kosovo," Starovic explained.

He reaffirmed that Serbia will continue providing support to Serbs in Kosovo.

"There is no question of relinquishing Serbia’s legitimate rights in Kosovo. We will not cross red lines or recognize Kosovo’s independence, nor consent to Pristina’s membership in the UN or any UN body," Starovic emphasized.

When asked about tensions between Albin Kurti and Vjosa Osmani, Starovic dismissed them as staged, asserting that both share an extremist nationalist agenda and identical views on Kosovo, Serbs, and official Belgrade.

"Any dissonance or conflicts we might see are staged and part of broader manipulation," Minister Starovic concluded.