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State Department on Vučić's statement on the Ibar River: Kosovo-Serbia normalization is necessary

USA, Kosovo

The US State Department has reacted to the statement by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on the possibility of changing the course of the Ibar River, saying that peace and stability in the Western Balkans remain priorities for the United States.

"The normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is a necessary part of this process," the State Department spokesperson told Radio Free Europe. 

The US State Department's reaction comes after statements by Vučić, who has threatened that Serbia may consider changing the course of the Ibar River.

"Let's see what the Albanians will do next," Vučić said.

The statement sparked reactions in Kosovo and Albania, including from Prime Minister Edi Rama. Earlier today, the European Commission did not directly comment on Vučić's statements and whether such a thing would have consequences for Serbia's path towards European integration. Instead, the EU's spokesperson for foreign affairs, Annita Hipper, only reminded that such statements do not help the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, while this normalization is a prerequisite for progress towards the EU for both sides.

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Aleksandar Vuiqi.

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