QUINT criticizes Kosovo Government for land expropriation in Serb majority north

In a recent statement, the Quint group (comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy), joined by the EU and the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, strongly criticized the Government of Kosovo for its controversial land expropriation policies in the predominantly Serb municipalities of Zubin Potok and Leposavić.

Why is this relevant

The group’s unified stance is indicative of a broader concern about the potential of these actions to escalate ethnic conflicts in the country’s north.

The Kosovo Government claims the land is needed for critical infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing local governance and economic development. It has rejected the criticism, stating that their joint declaration “incorrectly assesses the factual situation and makes legal claims that are not based on arguments”. The Government also asserted that “the courts have found most plaintiffs did not have standing in the procedure, as they were not the owners of the properties that were subject to expropriation. In the final decision, the Government has reflected the court rulings and has excluded the properties of the successful plaintiffs from expropriation”.

The joint statement underscored the importance of adhering to legal norms in managing such sensitive issues. It accused the Kosovo Government of having “violated its own laws and regulations due to procedural and technical deficiencies during the expropriation process.” The statement notes that “Kosovo’s judiciary has identified similar legal concerns with the preliminary expropriation decision, which the Government has not yet addressed.”