On Tuesday 5 February, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, and his Deputy Prime Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, criticised the position taken by the EU on the Trepča mines in the north of the country.
Earlier in the day, European External Action Service spokesperson Maja Kocijancic had explained to Balkan media that the issue of the Trepča mines, like all outstanding issues between Serbia and Kosovo, should be part of the EU-mediated dialogue between the two countries.
According to the Prime Minister, Ms Kocijancic's response “is unprecedented, unacceptable and violates Kosovo's sovereignty”. His Deputy Prime Minister said he was “shocked” by the spokesperson's comments. “Absolutely unacceptable to see EU officials releasing immature statements that can harm the process of dialogue with Serbia”, said Mr Hoxhaj, adding that Kosovo's national resources would never be part of the dialogue.
Last week, Kosovo’s Parliament approved Trepča’s status as part of a recovery plan for the former industrial giant, with 80% to be controlled by the Kosovan government and 20% by employees. Serbia protested against this decision as it claims ownership of the mine. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)