Opening Ibër Bridge, opposition calls for co-ordination with Allies

The opening of the Ibër Bridge in Mitrovica is a very important issue and must be dealt with very seriously. That's what the Kosovo Government's number two -- Donika Grovalla-Zhvarc -- thinks in a pronouncement for Kosovapress. According to Deputy Prime Minister Donika Grovalla, strengthening sovereignty without increasing the risk is the executive's most productive strategy. It warns positive steps on the subject but adds that they are aware that they should not endanger the country's security.

The bridge theme and other topics are also topics that should be seriously addressed by our institutions from both local and central ones. The strategy of this government in strengthening sovereignty without increasing the risk is the most productive strategy we have seen over the past 25 years. We must continue to take positive steps, while we are very aware that we should not risk our territory, our citizens and our security institutions... the moment there is going to be movement, you will be witness to the movement and see”, she says.

On the other hand, the opening of the Ibri Bridge is also welcomed by the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, but stress the need for co-ordination with allies, as they have doubts that this decision is being made for electoral agendas. He doubts this action is taking place for electoral agenda. Despite this, Tahiri requires co-ordination with the United States for the opening of the bridge, so he says there is no turning back of that decision.

When the government takes action, the first question being asked is what we are taking this action. What's the point? Is the goal before the elections to show the people we're doing it will take action in the north after he's done nothing. Or it is really the purpose to strengthen our integrity and sovereignty in that part. To do this part requires a co-operation and co-ordination with the United States first... the bridge must be opened, but when the bridge is opened the state cannot go back. I don't have the problem of opening the bridge because it has to open. It should help us help the United States and other countries open bridges. But I have the problem that they make a decision to license plates and then come back, make election decisions and then organize them again. I have a problem with opening the bridge and leaving KFOR to say that the chauba of the horse there, where sovereignty and integrity remain”, Tahiri declares.

Meanwhile, political analyst Dritaro Arifi claims that there is not much pressure from international allies for not opening the Ibër Bridge, despite the UNIT and KFOR countries have declared it is not the moment for the bridge to open. He says that opening Ibër Bridge is more human and human rights issues, so green light should be given.

Kosovo's “Government must quietly take this action, open the bridge but without much noise. Actually, the enormous pressure that may exist is not as it used to be, but the sustainability of the Serb community is not what it used to be. In a way, it is a favourable position, but it must be done with careful steps. The opening of the bridge will take place very quickly, because it's more of a human issue and human rights issue than it creates problems. I think that more will bring the Serb community closer to integrate into Kosovo institutions. It takes awareness and co-operation that when the bridge is opened there will be no protests or anti-effect or any verbal marks from European partners”, Arifi points out.

The reopening of the Ibri Bridge was envisioned in the freedom of movement agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia in 2015 in Brussels. Although six years ago the work of millions of EU investments has been completed, the bridge continues to be closed to vehicles. Despite this, the EU has declared it is not the moment for the bridge to open for security reasons.