Prime Minister Albin Kurti met today with Riho Terras, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Kosovo, to discuss the recent attack on the Ibar-Lepenc canal in northern Kosovo. According to his office, Kurti informed Terras that there are indications of “external actors’ involvement,” while investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The Prime Minister also thanked the European Parliament for its “continued support for Kosovo’s path toward European integration and vital institutional reforms.”
Kurti highlighted Kosovo’s progress, noting that the country is a strong example of how economic development and democratic progress can go hand in hand. He emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing the Growth Plan, which is a key instrument for economic growth and accelerating Kosovo’s integration into the European Union.
Under the Growth Plan, Kosovo has shown institutional readiness, achieving a 72% implementation rate of the ERA II reform agenda, up from 45% under previous administrations. Additionally, the National Program for European Integration (NPEI) reached a 66.12% implementation rate in 2023.
The Attack on the Ibar-Lepenc Canal
During the meeting, Kurti and Terras also discussed the recent terrorist attack on the Ibar-Lepenc canal, which took place on November 29. The attack was the third in just three days targeting Kosovo’s institutions. Prior attacks included a police station in Zvečan and the Zvečan municipal building.
The Ibar-Lepenc canal attack is considered the second major assault on Kosovo’s national security, following the paramilitary attack in Banjska on September 24, 2023, which aimed to annex northern Kosovo. The Banjska attack resulted in the death of a Kosovo Police officer.
The recent attack on the canal also targeted critical infrastructure, including power, water, and telecommunications, with the goal of disrupting essential services and destabilizing social, economic, and governmental life. The methods and execution of the attack, combined with the confiscation of weapons and uniforms – mostly from Serbia and Russia – suggest the involvement of external actors, according to Kurti.
EU Relations and Kosovo’s EU Integration
Prime Minister Kurti called for the removal of EU sanctions on Kosovo and stressed the importance of promptly accepting the European Union’s questionnaire and granting Kosovo candidate status for EU membership.
He thanked Riho Terras for his visit and constructive discussions, as well as his continued readiness to collaborate with the European Parliament.
