Konjufca: Serbia Is the Main Threat to Kosovo; Haxhiu Appeals to Ambassadors: New Evidence of War Crimes Is Still Being Uncovered Today

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Glauk Konjufca said Serbia remains the main source of danger to Kosovo and regional stability. Speaking at the ninth edition of the Kosovo Ambassadors’ Conference in Pristina, he stressed that Belgrade’s strong ties with Moscow, its failure to support international sanctions against Russia and its military cooperation with China are creating a dangerous climate across the Balkans.

Konjufca described Serbia’s persistent hostile rhetoric as a clear indication of its intentions. He referred to a statement by Serbian minister Snezhana Paunoviq, who had said that she would carry out ethnic cleansing in Kosovo if she were in Millosheviq’s position. According to the acting chief diplomat, Western partners must take such positions very seriously, while the lack of a strong response from the European Union has further encouraged Serbia’s hegemonic ambitions.

In his remarks, Konjufca also underscored Kosovo’s unwavering commitment to the Euro-Atlantic alliance, highlighting its support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and its imposition of sanctions. He cited major achievements such as membership in the Board of Peace and the participation of Kosovo Security Force soldiers in the peacekeeping mission in Gaza as indicators of the close partnership with the United States. Regarding new recognitions, Konjufca said he had engaged in intensive meetings with countries from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, convinced that where recognition is lacking, communication must be increased to build the necessary trust.

Meanwhile, Acting President Albulena Haxhiu called on the diplomats present to ensure that Kosovo’s progress toward European integration is assessed on the basis of established criteria rather than obstacles created by its neighbor. She insisted that Kosovo should be treated in the same way as other Western Balkan countries, stressing that the rules of the game must remain unchanged even when their implementation becomes politically difficult.

Haxhiu demanded that Serbia be held accountable for the terrorist attack in Banjskë and called for the arrest of Millan Radojiçiq, as well as clarification of the fate of more than 1,500 people who went missing during the conflict. She described addressing these issues as an essential prerequisite for any sincere effort to normalize relations. Speaking about the past, she called for continued communication with institutions regarding excavations in Subotand, Kalludër të Vogël and Jabukë, underscoring that evidence of war crimes is still being uncovered today while justice for the victims’ families remains pending.

Another concern for the acting president was Serbian President Aleksandër Vuçiq’s statements about the possibility of changing the course of the Ibër River. She warned that any unilateral intervention in the vital Ibër-Lepenc system and Ujman Lake would have devastating consequences for the water supply, energy and environmental security of hundreds of thousands of citizens, calling for a strong international response to these destabilizing ideas.

In terms of foreign policy, Haxhiu also addressed the issue of countries that do not recognize Kosovo, noting that they do not form a homogeneous group. She explained that Spain’s reasons differ from those of Greece and Slovakia, and that diplomatic practice requires a tailored approach in each case. Citing the International Court of Justice’s ruling that Kosovo’s declaration of independence did not violate international law, she added that 18 years after independence, Kosovo can now also point to its concrete achievements as a state to persuade skeptical countries.