Relations between the two countries have never been peaceful since the end of the war in 1999.
The police in Kosovo “carried out searches and arrests”, Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced on Saturday, November 30, visiting the scene of the attack on a water canal essential to the country’s infrastructure.
This explosion damaged a vital canal for the water supply of thousands of inhabitants and two thermal power stations. Pristina immediately accused Serbia of having “orchestrated” this “attack”.
The police have also “collected testimonies and evidence, and criminals and terrorists will have to face justice and the law,” he added to journalists.
The Prime Minister announced that “around a quarter” of the water supply passing through the damaged canal was assured by Saturday morning. “Thanks to the commitment of all the relevant services”, 25% of the usual flow passing through this channel, essential to Kosovo’s infrastructure, had been restored, he welcomed.
Serbia “condemns with the greatest firmness the attack” against the Ibar-Lepenac canal in Kosovo, essential for the cooling of two thermal power plants, denouncing an “unacceptable act of sabotage”, wrote Saturday morning on X the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Djuric.
“We call on all parties to resist provocations and to favor dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation,” adds Mr. Djuric, while implying that the “regime” of the Kosovar Prime Minister, who accused Serbia of being behind the attack, could be “potentially involved”.
Serbia “unequivocally denies any involvement” in the attack and denounces “unfounded”, “irresponsible” and “disturbing” accusations, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a statement sent to AFP.
Kosovo Minister of Economy, Rizvanolli:
“Ibër Lepenci installed six temporary pipes around 2 AM in record time, providing sufficient capacity to supply water for cooling the ‘Kosova B’ power plant.
As a result, we expect the electricity supply to remain uninterrupted.” https://t.co/y7TbJST3J6 pic.twitter.com/2o5HWHaaNs
— Admirim (@admirim)
These “unfounded allegations aim to tarnish Serbia’s reputation and undermine efforts to promote peace and stability in the region,” Mr. Vucic said in this press release and in a video posted on his Instagram account.
Relations between Belgrade and Pristina have never been peaceful since the end of the war in 1999. Friday’s attack followed a series of incidents in the north, including grenades thrown at a municipal building and a police station in start of the week.
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