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By:
Ardit Kika
- August 6, 2024 19:05
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The NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR, has threatened to react if actions are taken to open the central Ibri bridge without prior agreement with Serbia.
He did this on the day when this mission, which carries troops over the bridge, was notified by the Kosovo authorities that its stability will be tested.
The tests, according to government officials, will be done before the bridge opens for vehicular traffic.
KFOR has not indicated its position on the test, but has warned of the actions it can take.
"We will not hesitate to face any development that may affect the security environment and regional stability, fully respecting our mandate emanating from the UN. KFOR's position has been clear and constant throughout. Any decision regarding the opening of the main bridge over the Iber River should be made within the framework of the dialogue mediated by the EU between Belgrade and Pristina", said KFOR.
Kosovo and Serbia have two agreements for the opening of the Ibri Bridge. Based on them, the EU has also finalized the project on how the traffic should work. However, the document has not been implemented for many years.
During Tuesday, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, and the Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi, stayed in the north.
After the inspection he made of the bridge, Sveçla insisted that it should be opened for vehicle traffic, but did not indicate when actions could be taken for this.
"The bridge will be opened, there is no reason not to open it, when it will be opened, this is a matter that is evaluated by the experts".
The bridge over the river that ethnically divides Mitrovica has been closed to vehicle traffic since the end of the war in Kosovo.
For a long time, the barricade has been maintained and armed members of the organization known as "Rojat e Ura" have been stationed at static points near it.
The obstacles were removed in 2016, after negotiations mediated by the EU. However, the North Mitrovica Municipality, run by Lista Serbe, had put up a wall near the bridge to prevent vehicle access.