The Serbian media outlet "Politika" has misquoted a NATO report discussing Kosovo, falsely claiming in the article's title that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg referred to Kosovo using the suffix “Metohija.”
However, the North Atlantic Alliance, in its report titled “Climate Change and Security Impact Assessment,” where Kosovo is one of the case studies, does not refer to Kosovo as “Kosovo and M” anywhere in the content. On July 11, 2024, Politika.rs published an article titled: “Stoltenberg: Kosovo and Metohija Could Face Drinking Water Shortages.” This media outlet misquoted right from the title, falsely claiming that the NATO Secretary General referred to Kosovo with “Metohija.”
The misquotation continues in the article's content, where climate change is discussed and Kosovo is also referred to as “Kosmet.”
“The accelerated heating of the atmosphere in the region is leading to extreme weather events, such as 2017 and 2022 wildfires, and severe flooding that Kosovo experienced in 2023. Such events are expected to grow in frequency and intensity. Coupled with Kosovo and Metohija’s socio-economic vulnerability and challenging security environment, climate change can have detrimental consequences for both Kosovo and NATO’s presence on the ground” the report is quoted, accompanied by a photo of Stoltenberg.
However, the original version of the report does not include the suffix “Metohija.”
“Coupled with Kosovo’s socio-economic vulnerability and challenging security environment, climate change can have detrimental consequences for both Kosovo and NATO’s presence on the ground,” the report states.
Photo: Politika.rs
When discussing the challenges Kosovo may face, the report states: “Projections of higher temperatures and increased wildfire risks, reduced precipitation, and population growth suggest that by 2050, four of Kosovo’s five water basins may face water stress or scarcity, which can affect water supplies for both the local population, as well as KFOR...”
Photo: Part of the NATO report
The term “Kosovo and Metohija” is frequently used by some Serbian media and politicians when referring to Kosovo, which they do not recognize as a state.
“Metohija”, edhe pse daton që nga Mesjeta dhe është term kishtar, vazhdon të përdoret në diskursin publik, formal dhe joformal.
The suffix “Metohija” refers to the area in Kosovo known today as the Dukagjin region.
*This article is published as part of the Western Balkans Regional Initiative against disinformation. “Western Balkans Anti-Disinformation Hub: exposing malign influences through watchdog journalism.”
