In a post on X, Hoxha said Albania is profoundly concerned by the remarks, stressing that diverting the course of a river forming part of a transboundary water system could not be treated as a purely domestic matter or decided unilaterally when its consequences could affect another country’s territory, environment, water security and supply.

“International water law is clear in this regard,” Hoxha said, citing principles governing the equitable and reasonable use of transboundary waters, the obligation to prevent and reduce cross-border harm, and requirements for cooperation, information-sharing and consultation on measures with potential transboundary effects.

Hoxha noted that Serbia has been a party since 2010 to the UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes and has accepted its dispute-settlement mechanisms.

“Albania expects Serbia to fully respect its international obligations and the principles of good-neighbourly relations,” Hoxha said. Any project or measure that could affect the flow, quantity or quality of waters affecting Kosovo should be handled transparently, based on scientific evidence, a full assessment of cross-border impacts and consultation with the affected party, he added.

“Water cannot be used as an instrument of political pressure or as a means of punishing another country or population,” Hoxha said, adding that Albania strongly supports Kosovo’s right to security, sustainable development and protection of its water resources.

“Such issues should be addressed through dialogue, cooperation and European standards, not through threats or unilateral interventions and actions,” he concluded.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has threatened to change the course of the Ibar River, announcing that Serbia had already brought in engineers and construction experts to examine the idea.

The Ibar feeds the Ujman reservoir, which supplies water to large parts of Kosovo and also supports electricity production.

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