The European Union believes that a “terrorist attack” and “an act of sabotage” when there was an explosion that damaged important infrastructure in the country, said the High Representative for the EU's foreign policy Josep Borrell, quoted by Radio Free Europe and BTA.
„The EU strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Iber-Lepenac water canal in Zubin Potok in Northern Kosovo. This is a heinous act of sabotage against critical civilian infrastructure in Kosovo that provides drinking water to a significant portion of the Kosovo population and is vital to Kosovo's energy system, Borel stressed.
He expressed solidarity with the Kosovo citizens affected by the attack. “This crime must be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. The EU calls on all interested parties to cooperate fully with the Kosovo authorities and to continue to closely monitor the development of events, the head of European diplomacy said, adding that the EU has offered support to the Kosovo authorities in the investigation.
On the evening of November 29, in the village of Varage, near Zubin Potok in Northern Kosovo, an explosion damaged the Ibar-Lepenac water canal, which supplies several cities with water, as well as the Kosovo Energy Corporation.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced today that several suspects have been arrested and material evidence has been found in connection with the blast. He accused Serbia of being behind the explosion, but provided no evidence for this claim. Belgrade, for its part, denied participating in the attack, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic calling the accusation rash and irresponsible.
Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said that Serbia strongly condemned the attack on the channel and called on international authorities to conduct a transparent investigation to identify those responsible.
Serbia, as well as the Serbs in northern Kosovo, do not recognize the declared in 2008. independence of Kosovo. Belgrade and Pristina are conducting a dialogue to normalize relations under the auspices of the European Union.
The EU's special envoy for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Miroslav Lajcak, also condemned the incident and described it as “sabotage of critical infrastructure in Kosovo”.
The Special Envoy of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Karoline Ziyade commented in "X" that “this attack is deeply worrying and risks disrupting stability”
Meanwhile, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani spoke with the ambassadors in Pristina of the countries of the so-called “Five“ (USA, Great Britain, Italy, France, Germany) and the EU ambassador, as well as with the commander of the NATO mission in Kosovo, KeyFOR. Osmani called on the international community to condemn the attack and “remain united against any attempt to disturb the peace and security of Kosovo”.
For his part, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric held a briefing with the representatives of the Group of Five and the EU in Serbia. He stressed that it is a matter of “sabotage and Serbia unequivocally condemns such an act, which is directed against stability in the region and the interest of all local communities”. According to him, all accusations against Serbia in connection with the incident are groundless.
Kosovo has strengthened security measures, increasing the presence of Kosovo police in Mitrovica - the largest town inhabited by Serbs in Northern Kosovo.