Peace Park: How did it get to the Ibër Bridge?

On the bridge for years, they cannot cross motor vehicles except pedestrians.

Lately, some local officials came up with an initiative for the full reopening of the bridge, which was met with different reactions.

But how did it get to its impasse?

The first barricades on this bridge were placed in 2011 on the part of local Serbs. The goal has been to counter the extent of Pristina's authority in the north.

In 2014, those barricades have been replaced by concrete and tree fences, which local authorities have called “Park of Peace”.

This park was removed in 2016, after which the bridge was supposed to open up for circulation.

In the same year, Kosovo and Serbia have agreed to a new implementation plan, whose goal has been to overcome disputes over different interpretations of previous conclusions.

According to the new implementation plan, the bridge's complete opening is scheduled to take place in January 2017.

However, the work of revitriminating the bridge was completed in June 2018. 1.5m euros have been invested in the project.

The opening of the main bridge for traffic is also envisioned with the agreement on normalising Kosovo-Serbia relations, under the so-called “revitalisation of the” bridge. This agreement was reached by Kosovo and Serbia in 2014, with the goal of removing barricades and operating the bridge.

Finally, the bridge remains closed for motor vehicles and opened only for pedestrians. / REL