Wrote: Festim Rizanaj
On May 13, it was announced that the parallel water supply company in North Mitrovica had been closed, a decision that, according to the acting Minister of Economy in Kosovo, Artane Rizvanolli, represents a concrete step towards the rule of law and the functionalization of public services by the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.
However, following the intervention to close the parallel water company in North Mitrovica, Serbian narratives have been articulated that portray this action as a dangerous and politically motivated step by Prime Minister Albin Kurti. According to this narrative line, the action undermines the security of the Serb community and risks humanitarian consequences, especially for health institutions and student dormitories that depend on a stable water supply.
On the other hand, the acting Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, stated that the closure of the “Ibar” company is a concrete step in the service of the rule of law and the functionalization of public services by the legitimate institutions of the Republic of Kosovo. She emphasized that now the services will be provided by the Mitrovica RWC, in accordance with local laws and with higher standards for all citizens, without distinction.
What are the narratives constructed by Serbian officials?
In his reaction to the closure of the parallel water utility company “Ibar” in North Mitrovica, the director of the Office for Kosovo in the Government of Serbia, Petar Petkovic, described this action as unilateral and illegal, interpreting it as a continuation of Albin Kurti’s policies against Serbian institutions in the north. He stressed that this is a vital institution that provides services to thousands of citizens, including hospitals, schools and kindergartens, and rejected the definition as a “parallel institution”, arguing that it should be part of the Association of Serbian Municipalities. According to him, the action represents pressure on workers to integrate into the Kosovo system and constitutes a violation of international agreements, including the lack of formation of the ZSO. Petkovic considers the closure as a deliberate provocation at the time of the visit of the President of the European Council to Belgrade and announced that Serbia will address the issue to international representatives. (here)
The leader of the Serbian List, Zlatan Elek, in an open letter addressed to the embassies of the Quint countries, the EU, the OSCE, UNMIK and KFOR, condemned as illegal and violent the intervention of the Kosovo Police and water supply workers from the South in the premises of the “Ibar” enterprise in North Mitrovica. He described this as a unilateral and provocative act that increases tensions and causes insecurity among Serbian citizens, emphasizing that the enterprise from the South has neither the technical capacity nor the trust of the local community to manage the system. Elek added that these are not administrative errors, but dangerous and politically motivated actions by the Kurti government, which endanger basic living conditions. He warned of serious humanitarian consequences if the actions continue and requested urgent intervention by the international factor to stop the unilateral actions and to guarantee security and services for the Serbian community. (here)
Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric strongly condemned the intervention of Kosovo Police and water utility workers from the South in the facilities of the “Ibar” company in North Mitrovica, calling it a unilateral and provocative action that undermines efforts for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. According to him, this action was done with the knowledge and approval of Albin Kurti and poses a serious threat to the water supply of the Serbian population, including vital institutions such as hospitals, schools and kindergartens. Djuric described the incident as a deliberate attack on the rights of Serbs in Kosovo, with the aim of inciting their displacement, and linked this to the visit of the President of the European Council to the region, accusing Kurti of openly challenging the EU’s efforts for normalization. He stressed that the management of municipal services is part of the agreement on the Association of Serbian Municipalities, which Pristina has refused to implement for 12 years. (here)
The Serbian portal in Kosovo “kosovo-online.com” published a cartoon regarding the closure of the parallel water supply company in North Mitrovica on May 13. The cartoon depicts Prime Minister Kurti tying a knot in a water pipe, obstructing the supply. On the other hand, a simple man, symbolizing the Serb community in the north, tries to water a bunch of grass, but only a drop of water flows, indicating the lack of supply. The cartoon critically illustrates the closure of the company as a politically motivated action by the Kurti government, which could lead to humanitarian consequences and harm the security of the Serb community. (here)
What is the reason for the closure of the parallel water supply enterprise "Ibar"?
According to the statement published by the acting Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, through her Facebook account, the main reason for the closure of the parallel water company "Ibar" in North Mitrovica is the strengthening of the rule of law and the establishment of institutional control of the Republic of Kosovo over the provision of public services. The Minister announced that this action was taken at the request of the Public Enterprises Monitoring Unit, and that the closure of this so-called parallel company is a concrete step towards extending state functionality to all municipalities in the country.
Rizvanolli emphasized that the services previously provided by the “Ibar” company will be replaced by the Regional Water Supply Company “Mitrovica” (KRU Mitrovica), in accordance with an agreement signed in January of this year between this company and the Municipality of North Mitrovica. She said that through KRU Mitrovica, regular, better quality and standardized services will be provided to citizens, in full harmony with the legislation of the Republic of Kosovo.
In conclusion, Rizvanolli stated that the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are the only ones that will provide and administer public services throughout the country's territory, underlining that this is a significant step in consolidating state order and functionality.
The context of the closure of Serbian parallel institutions
Kosovo has undertaken a sustained and coordinated process of integrating illegal Serbian institutions into its constitutional and legal system, including important sectors such as health, education and municipal services. This process is part of the implementation of the agreements reached in Brussels in the years 2013 and 2015, which were mediated by the European Union and aim to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Since the end of the war until today, Serbia has continued to finance and support parallel structures in Serb-majority municipalities, which operate outside the control of Kosovo institutions and do not report to the government in Pristina. This approach is in direct contradiction with the constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo and constitutes an obstacle to the full functioning of the state throughout its territory.
The integration of these institutions does not constitute a form of repression or exclusion of the Serbian community, but is part of an internationally agreed process that aims to build a single institutional system, where all citizens – regardless of ethnicity – benefit from public services equally and in accordance with the laws and standards of the state of Kosovo. This is a necessary step to guarantee the rule of law, the functioning of democratic institutions and rapprochement with European structures. (here)