The European Union has called for dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo after Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić threatened to divert the course of the Ibar river, reducing water flows into Kosovo in retaliation for what he described as the mistreatment of the Serb minority.
Vučić said on 9 August that authorities were considering altering the Ibar's course in response to the demolition in July of 17 Serb-owned buildings near the Gazivode reservoir, which supplies water to seven municipalities and cools thermal power plants. Kosovo's acting Environment Minister Fitore Pacolli-Dalipi called the threat "deeply concerning and unacceptable," urging a response from the EU, the United States, and the United Nations. European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper said statements about possible changes to river flow do not contribute to normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008; Belgrade has never recognised its sovereignty.