European Serbia Platform writes to EU institutions over the situation in Kosovo: Warns of demolitions at Gazivode/Ujmani and the position of the Serbian community
Representatives of the European Serbia Platform have sent a letter to European Union institutions and members of the European Parliament, warning of what they describe as a deteriorating security situation and rising tensions in Kosovo caused by actions taken by the authorities in Pristina, with particular emphasis on the demolition of privately owned Serbian properties in the Gazivode/Ujamni area.
The letter was signed by Zdravko Ponoš, president of Serbia Centre (SRCE), Pavle Grbović, president of the Free Citizens Movement (PSG), Dragan Đilas, president of the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), and Goran Ješić of the Solidarity Movement.
The document describes Lake Gazivode as an area of special strategic, environmental, economic, and social importance, calling on the European Union to insist on the protection of the property and other rights of the Serbian community in Kosovo, as well as on respect for the rule of law and the international obligations of the authorities in Pristina.
The Platform’s representatives also point out that the Association/Community of Serb-majority Municipalities has still not been established, describing this as a long-overdue obligation stemming from the Belgrade–Pristina dialogue.
The letter further cites the closure of institutions providing public and social services to the Serbian community, the abolition of the Serbian dinar in payment transactions, restrictions affecting the transport of goods from central Serbia, and, as they claim, measures affecting the legal status and institutional protection of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo as additional reasons for concern.
Demolitions at Gazivode remain in focus
The demolition of structures along the shores of Lake Gazivode/Ujmani has been ongoing since late June, carried out by the regional water utility Ibar-Lepenac/“Ibër-Lepenci“ with the assistance of the Kosovo Police. So far, numerous cottages, hospitality facilities, and the „Jezero“ Hotel have been demolished. Ibar-Lepenac has stated that the operation aims to remove illegally constructed buildings located within the protected zone of the reservoir and has announced that the campaign will continue.
The demolitions have prompted strong reactions from Serbian officials and local organizations, who argue that the structures were demolished without appropriate court decisions and in violation of legal procedures. At the end of July, the European Union called for the demolitions to be suspended until all outstanding legal issues are clarified, stressing the importance of respecting the rule of law and protecting property rights.
Earlier, the Students in Blockade movement also reacted, issuing a detailed statement with the message: „This is what betrayal looks like. Future generations will remember the traitors of their nation.“
The European Serbia Platform is a pro-European coalition of opposition parties in Serbia comprising Serbia Centre (SRCE), the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP), the Free Citizens Movement (PSG), and the Solidarity Movement. The coalition was formally launched in June this year with the aim of coordinating political activities and preparing for the upcoming elections.koss
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