Addressing a meeting of the European Parliament’s (EU) Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz accused Serbia of orchestrating a recent explosion that damaged a crucial water canal in Kosovo, and urged the EU to consider suspending Serbia’s accession talks.
Speaking about the November 29 explosion at the Ibar-Lepenac water canal in Zubin Potok, northern Kosovo, Gervalla-Schwarz claimed Serbia was mimicking Russian tactics in the region.
She said Russia has deeply infiltrated Serbian structures, from the economy to intelligence services, adding that all that is happening is not about ethnic tensions or Kosovo-Serbia disputes, but a calculated test of Western resolve.
She drew parallels to a September 2023 incident in Banjska, where a group of Serbs clashed with the Kosovo police, describing it as Serbia’s first attempt of a military intervention in a country with a high NATO presence.
Gervalla-Schwarz said Kosovo’s security institutions continue to uncover evidence related to the water canal attack, and that this “Serbian attack” was carried out by experts using materials not available on the black market. The location of the explosion “shows that someone knew what they were doing,” she added.
Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament (AFET) David McAllister expressed solidarity with Kosovo’s citizens.
“We are very concerned and saddened by this dangerous destabilization attack on Kosovo. We stand in solidarity with all those who have been affected by the attack. We condemn these criminal actions which must be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice,” said McAllister.
Several MEPs told the AFET meeting that Serbia must face consequences if its involvement is proven.
The November 29 explosion on the Ibar-Lepenac water canal caused extensive damage to infrastructure vital for Kosovo’s water and power supply.
Belgrade has denied any involvement in what the EU has labeled a “terrorist attack” and “act of sabotage,” while US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier said Monday that determining responsibility requires a careful investigation.
