Swedish Ambassador: Bridge opens in co-ordination with local residents

Swedish Ambassador Jonas Westerlund in an interview for Tvjet1 has expressed disappointment that the bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica continues to be closed. Diplomat, says the bridge should be opened in co-ordination with local residents.

You remember very well the moment that French KFOR had closed the bridge over the river Iber 25 years ago.

Swedish Ambassador to Kosovo Jonas Westerlund himself was part of O's mission The SEU during 1999 in Kosovo.

So he does not hide his disappointment when he sees that even after two decades the bridge is not open.

For that Swedish diplomat, it says the bridge over the Iber River should be opened in co-ordination with local residents.

“As you know I was in Kosovo in 1999 and I remember French troops on the bridge of Ibr. It was very tense moments. I am unhappy to see that even after 24 years the bridge continues not to be completely open. This well shows that war wounds have not yet healed. I consider that the bridge should be opened, but in co-ordination with local residents from both sides”, Ambassador Westerlund said.

Westerlund estimates that the situation in the north continues to be extremely complex and has suggested that the government for some actions be in co-ordination with international allies.

Many actions have been taken over the past two years in northern Kosovo. As you know, the situation continues to be complex. I agree with those who say Kosovo is an independent state since 2008 and has the right to make decisions. But if you want to have KFOR here, the EU, and if you aim to integrate into Euro-Atlantic structures then there should be co-ordination with the Allied states”, he says.

The Swedish ambassador says the time has come to review punitive measures against Kosovo, until he expects a new moment to develop in the dialogue process.

“I believe a new momentum will be created in the dialogue once we have the new European Union commissioners as well as high representatives. We need to analyze deeply whether the dialogue is functioning because this process has started since 2011 and there have been several mediators. They've all done a great job but always need improvement. I think it's a shame we are in a situation where we have EU measures against Kosovo. It is up to the current envoy to resolve this issue in the” dialogue, he said.

All in the end, Westerlund has encouraged Kosovo and Serbia to make more efforts to fully normalise relations.