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Hill: We see no evidence linking Belgrade to the attack on the water supply channel in northern Kosovo

2024-12-23 16:52:27, Kosova & Bota CNA

Hill: We see no evidence linking Belgrade to the attack on the water supply

The US ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill, said on Monday that he sees no evidence that Belgrade was involved in the November 29 attack on the water supply channel from Lake Ujman in northern Kosovo, which authorities in Kosovo blamed on Serbia.

He made these comments in an interview with Serbian state television, stressing that he has seen a desire from all parties to reveal the truth about the perpetrators of the attack.

"We certainly don't see evidence that would lead to Belgrade, but someone did it and a full investigation should be conducted. I think it's good that we are providing support to that investigation through the FBI ( Federal Bureau of Investigation) and I think it's important. But the whole thing speaks to the fact that there is a lack of trust and a tendency to accuse each other," he said, according to a translation by Serbian state television.

The American ambassador in Pristina, Jeff Hovenier, has announced that the FBI is helping the authorities in Kosovo to shed light on the case of November 29, which caused many reactions.

Kosovo accused Serbia of the attack, which it described as terrorist, a designation that was also used by the European Union. The authorities in Kosovo suspect that behind the attack may be members of the "Civil Defense" organization, which last year together with the "Northern Brigade" group were declared as terrorist organizations by the Kosovo government. Officials in Kosovo say that these organizations are supported and financed by official Belgrade.

The President of Serbia, Aleksander Vu?i?, has denied the involvement of his country in the attack, while he has emphasized the readiness for full cooperation in carrying out the investigations.

The attack a month ago only increased the already high tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, despite the efforts of the international community to renew efforts to normalize relations between them.

The American ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill, told Serbian state television that the United States is pleased that Serbia supports the dialogue process.

"It is very difficult, but I must say that Serbia comes prepared to these talks. There is sometimes no progress in them, but I don't think anyone blames Serbia for the fact that the process does not lead to a better understanding", he said, emphasizing that one of the central pillars of the dialogue process is the Association of Serb-majority municipalities.

"We've supported it since it was first agreed about 12 years ago and it should be implemented. Even though people have heard it a thousand times and are disappointed that it hasn't been implemented, that doesn't mean we we shouldn't talk about it. I think we should be very focused on implementing it," Ambassador Hill said.

He said that despite the fact that Serbia and the United States have different positions on Kosovo, this should not be allowed to hinder other cooperation processes.

The American ambassador said that he has no knowledge that sanctions will be imposed on the Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), a warning made ten days ago by the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vu?i?.

"I can tell you that since the Russians bought NIS, there has been a lot of concern about it, because it is the only refinery in Serbia and since it is owned by the Russians, it has worried a lot of people for years. This concern is compounded by the fact that Russia continues to wage a barbaric war against Ukraine," said Ambassador Hill, underlining that there are concerns whether the Serbian Oil Industry in Russian hands is somehow helping to finance the war, and that these are legitimate questions that should be addressed. are carefully considered.

"We will see what the outcome will be. I want to assure you that the final decision will not affect the Serbian economy in any way. We are very interested in Serbia continuing to have a very successful economy... ", Ambassador Hill said.

Serbian President Aleksander Vu?i? warned, as he said, of sanctions "within a few days" on the Serbian Oil Industry, because Russian companies own the majority of shares. He said that "this is probably one of the most serious news and part of the wider geopolitical pressure on Russia".

Serbia, which officially seeks membership in the European Union, maintains close relations with Moscow and has refused to join sanctions against Russia over its aggression in Ukraine.

Serbia is negotiating a new gas supply agreement with Russia, as the current agreement expires in March 2025.

The Oil Industry of Serbia (NIS), the majority of whose shares belong to the Russian companies Gazprom Neft and Gazprom, is Serbia's sole supplier of gas and the owner of the two pipelines that transport gas from Russia to Serbia./ VOA