Lucic: Brussels under obligation to protect MTS in Kosovo-Metohija

BELGRADE - Monitoring the implementation of the Brussels Agreement and, in general, rule of law in Kosovo-Metohija is within the authority of the European Commission, which is therefore under an obligation to protect Telekom Srbija and its daughter company MTS from discriminatory moves by the Albin Kurti administration in Pristina, Telekom Srbija CEO Vladimir Lucic said on Wednesday.

In an appearance on Prva TV, Lucic was commenting on the EC's statement that it did not want to interfere in a conflict between Pristina and Telekom Srbija, citing that respect for the regulatory framework in the telecommunications sector was exclusively in the competence of an "independent regulatory body" in Pristina.

Noting that Pristina had attempted to ban MTS two years ago, Lucic said Kurti's most recent attacks on Telekom Srbija were very dangerous and that even the physical safety of the company's employees was under threat.

"Through its media outlets, Pristina is now generating a hysteria alleging that we are a part of some kind of 'hybrid special warfare against Kosovo' - that is a very dangerous narrative and looks like preparation for new, even more radical attacks on Telekom Srbija in Kosovo-Metohija, which we expect to follow in August," Lucic said, noting that, in the past, Pristina's attempted crackdowns on Telekom Srbija had taken place during the summer and winter holiday seasons - periods of inactivity for the Brussels and Washington administrations.