Serbia’s Foreign Minister, Marko Gjuriq, recently addressed statements made by the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Albania, Ferit Hoxha, concerning the management and potential alteration of the Ibar River. The exchange highlights ongoing diplomatic disagreements regarding shared natural resources in the region. Ferit Hoxha previously voiced apprehension over declarations made by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić regarding the feasibility of changing the Ibar River’s course, particularly when involving Serbian experts and institutions in such reviews.
According to Hoxha, altering the path of a river that constitutes part of an international water system cannot be treated as an issue confined solely to the internal affairs of one state. In response to these assertions, Gjuriq issued a strong statement emphasizing national sovereignty. He asserted that discussions surrounding the river must be framed within the context of Serbian national interests, explicitly stating that there is no basis for claims related to a “Greater Albania.” Gjuriq maintained that the determination of how natural resources are managed and utilized rests solely with the respective nations.
The differing viewpoints between the Albanian delegation, represented by Ferit Hoxha, and the Serbian government underscore a fundamental disagreement over jurisdiction and historical claims related to the transnational water body. The statements reiterate the complex geopolitical sensitivities surrounding the Ibar River, with both sides emphasizing their respective rights and the non-negotiable nature of their national resource management strategies.
Topics: #ferit #hoxha #albania
