EULEX: situation in the north fragile, Kosovo and Serbia refrain from operations that cause tensions

This is due to resignations from the institution that took place last year by Serbian officials.

The security situation in northern Kosovo remains fragile, as the security vacuum and rule of law created after the resignation of police, prosecutors, judges and Kosovo Serb support personnel still continues”, EULEX's response to Front Online, says.

And, looking at such a situation, by EULEX, when asked whether they are considering the possibility of increasing the number of their members in that section, have said that in addition to 101 police officers, there are 34 gendarmes supporting the mission's capacity on the ground.

“EULEX is closely following developments in northern Kosovo through the presence of the Formed Police Unit, which consists of 101 police officers, in close co-ordination with Kosovo Police and KFOR. In addition, 34 gendarme of the Formed Police Unit in the (NFPP) Reserve are supporting the mission's capacity on the ground”, said further in response.

While, they say they are willing to support the Kosovo Police at most in preserving the stability and security of all communities.

EULEX: Kosovo, Serbia focus on EU facilitated dialogue

From the EULEX mission, they have also talked about the European Union's special envoy's statement for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, said that between Kosovo and Serbia there could be either normalisation or conflict, and that the EU is working for the first one.

According to them, the only road ahead is normalisation.

On the other hand, they have asked both sides to refrain from actions that could cause tensions.

The only way ahead is to normalise relations through the EU facilitated dialogue. What's important is that the parties focus on the EU facilitated dialogue and refrain from actions that could cause tensions”, the response is said.

EULEX: Negotiations on opening of Ibër Bridge under dialogue

In late April, the North Mitrovica municipality's Assembly has made a decision to open the Ibër Bridge for the flow of vehicles.

This initiative prompted different statements.

The Kosovo government had said that the decision to open Ibër Bridge is the right and right decision, but by KFOR's mission, the reopening of the Ibër Bridge for driving is a problem that must be resolved through political dialogue.

And in an answer to Front Online, the EULEX mission has said that any decision to open the Ibër Bridge should be in co-ordination and in the context of dialogue between the two countries.

“The opening of the Mitrovica bridge is an issue pertaining to the EU facilitated dialogue. Negotiations and any decisions concerning the Bridge should be held within the framework of dialogue with the participation of the official Kosovo and Serbian delegations. Uncoordinated actions do not contribute to a favourable atmosphere for important discussions in the process of ongoing dialogue, especially for implementing the Agreement on the Path of Normalisation of Relations”, EULEX's response is said.

After the 1998/99 war, the main bridge in Mitrovica has divided the city into the northern part, where the majority of the population is Serb, and in the southern part, where most are Albanians.