The European Union reacts after Vučić's scandalous statement on changing the course of the Ibar River

The European Union has reacted to statements by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić about the possibility of changing the course of the Ibar River, assessing that such statements do not contribute to the process of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

EU foreign policy spokeswoman Annita Hipper, during a press conference on Wednesday, said that issues between Kosovo and Serbia should be addressed through dialogue.

"I will start with the main issue, which is the statement made, including the one about changing the course of the river. These actions do not support the goal of normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia. This can only be done through dialogue," said Hipper.

She also recalled that progress in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is linked to the European integration process.

"We also recall that progress in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is a prerequisite for advancement on the European path," the EU spokesperson added.

Hipper's statements came after Vučić's threat that Serbia may consider changing the course of the Ibar River, in a reaction to developments in the Gazivoda area.

The Serbian president said that authorities in Belgrade have engaged experts to examine this issue, without providing concrete details on how such an intervention would be carried out.

During the conference, a journalist asked European Commission spokesperson Ariana Podesta whether the Ibar issue could be linked to a case in Albania, where it has been said that a project in Zvërnec could have consequences for the European integration process if it continues.

Podesta said that the European Commission does not want to speculate on the impact of specific cases on the enlargement process, stressing that the situations are not the same.

"In general, we don't speculate on the membership process. That doesn't mean that just because we say something in one case, we have to say it all the time. Situations are different," Podesta said.

The EU's reaction comes at a time when political tensions between Kosovo and Serbia continue to remain high, while the dialogue mediated by the European Union aims to normalize relations between the two countries.

According to the EU, progress in this dialogue remains an important element for the advancement of Serbia and Kosovo on their path towards the European Union.

The GeoPost