Secretariat to mediate between Ministry of Environment of Kosovo* and KelKos in dispute over hydropower plants in the Deçani gorge

Upon requests of the parties, the Secretariat will mediate a dispute which has arisen between the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure of Kosovo* and the Austrian hydropower investor KelKos. The dispute concerns the three hydropower projects on the Deçan river, Lumbardhi II, Belaja and Deçani, which were in operation until 2021 when the operational permits were suspended by a Supreme Court ruling based on environmental grounds. While the Constitutional Court recently declared that ruling unconstitutional, the final decision on the validity of the permits is still pending. 

The mediation will be led by Deputy Director Dirk Buschle and Environmental Expert Aleksandra Bujaroska. The mediators will also invite civil society in Kosovo* for their constructive engagement in resolving the environmental concerns.

¹ * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.