DA US supports no effort to change Ibër Bridge status at this stage

The UN has also suggested that the opening of the bridge at this stage increases the potential for violence and could affect the security of NATO's mission peacekeeping soldiers in Kosovo (KFOR), including American soldiers.

“The United States supports no movement to change the current status of the Mitrovica bridge at this time,” has said a spokesperson The DEA.

The opening of the bridge for vehicle traffic now increases the potential for violence and endangers the local population, as well as KFOR soldiers including Americans who are working to support peace and security in Kosovo.

We call on the Government of Kosovo not to take this uncoordinated, unilateral action and to discuss this issue within the framework of the dialogue facilitated by the EU”, the spokesman said. KASI for Pavlovic Today.

Even US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier said in an interview with Radio Free Europe that there is a real danger linked to the opening of the bridge in Mitrovica at this time, which could affect the security of NATO soldiers, including American soldiers.

“We believe this risk increases the threat, the possibility of violence and other problems, both for the local community and NATO soldiers, including American soldiers working to ensure peace and security in Kosovo. We take very seriously any action that can affect the security and protection of American soldiers working to support Kosovo”, the US ambassador said.

“Our hope is that the Government will hear this and take into account these concerns”, he added.

Kosovo's government has said it intends to open the bridge over Iber, which divides South Mitrovica by majority Albanian and Serb majority North. Despite the opposition of the QUINT and NATO countries, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said the bridge should be opened and that “is not against anyone”.

The Ibër Bridge issue is the issue of Kosovo, which has been closed as far as Brussels is concerned in 2016-2017, and the bridge must be opened. We want free movement of citizens and rule of law and peace and security. From our point of view, what we should expect is the report on the bridge's sustainability. Once we have to wait for the report, when we see how stable the bridge is. I haven't seen it because MAPL's yet. It's not a matter of discussion. It's an opening issue. In 2016 all discussions were concluded and it was said that the bridge should open on January 20, 2017. Now we're not even in January 2017. We're in August 2024”, Kurt said on Tuesday.