Behgjet Pacolli for opening Ibër Bridge: Government Pre-electoral Campaign, Kurt's Populist Administration

Instead of steps leading to lowering tensions, more and more steps have been taken and unilateral decisions leading to escalation. A world said the measures are progressive, they can be toughed or eased depending on the development of the situation. This part affects the first part of the question, what we will do [after the recent decisions of authorities in Kosovo]. So we have measures in place and these measures can be toughed if for such a thing all EU actors” agree, Stano said.

These uncoordinated activities of Kurti, the leader of AKR, Behgjet Pacolli is considering the government's pre-electoral campaign.

He in an interview for Periscope has said he is a national maneuver of Kurti, rather than a strategicly wise decision.

“The Kosovo Government's pre-electoral campaign for opening the Ibër Bridge, despite opposition from the US and EU, appears to be a populist maneuver rather than a strategic wise decision. The move appears to be more motivated by a desire to show a strong attitude and appeal to nationalist feelings than to address current issues of governance or improve the lives of citizens. Given that the bridge is already open to people and other available bridges exist, the move is lacking in practical need and, instead, stresses the government's lack of significant political achievements”, Pacolli said.

Pacolli for Periscop said it's not a good time to open Ibër Bridge.

According to him, these uncoordinated actions endanger Kosovo's isolation on the global scene.

No, this is not the right time. In a period where international co-operation and co-ordination with key allies such as the US and the EU are vital, such uncoordinated actions endanger Kosovo's isolation on the global stage. The timing of this action, amid major political and economic challenges, suggests a tactic of avoiders more than a genuine political initiative intended to improve national governance or cohesion”, the former minister said.

Pacolli in an interview for Periscope said EU warnings of austerity of measures should be taken seriously.

The EU's warning of new measures against Kosovo underscores the seriousness of the situation. The potential consequences of continuing these uncoordinated actions can be harmful to Kosovo's aspirations for European integration and broader international support. This warning should be taken seriously, as it reflects the growing frustration and concern among Kosovo's main partners for the direction the government is taking,”, he added.

According to Pacolli, the effort to confront the allies is aimed at distanceing Kosovo from the Western alliance.

Kosovo and most Albanians and other communities will see the real benefits of opening the bridge only if it is done in co-ordination with NATO and the West. Such co-ordination ensures that the movement is in line with broader security and diplomacy efforts, thus strengthening Kosovo's international position. All who push for confrontation aim to distance Kosovo from its natural western base. It is essential to admit that today, the only countries in confrontation with the West and NATO are Russia, Belarus and Iran. Kosovo has no place in this confrontational axis”, he has said of Periscope.

For this, Pacolli blames the Kurti Government, which says it is risking long-term damage to Kosovo's relations with the West and NATO.

“The government's transition towards an ultra-populistic campaign not only undermines its credibility, but also risks long-term damage to Kosovo's relations with the West and NATO. Instead of promoting confrontation, the government should focus on building constructive dialogue and co-operation with its international allies, giving priority to real governance reforms and addressing the real needs of its citizens”, Pacolli said following recent developments.

Even, Democratic League of Kosovo Chairman Lumir Abdixhiku has called on citizens not to fall prey, as he has said, to pre-electoral propaganda of power for the Ibri Bridge.

He has clarified that for the LDK, the bridge must be opened, but this should be done together with allies, especially the US NATO.

The US, Great Britain, Germany, France and Italy declared 2 August that they do not support the opening of the bridge at this moment.

Peacekeeping Mission NATO in Kosovo, KFOR said any decision to open the main bridge over the Iber River should be taken within the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

This mission has reiterated that it will not hesitate to undertake “all necessary measures” to fight developments that could affect regional security and stability. /Periscopi