Dialogue about the Ibër Bridge at the next meeting in Brussels, Stano: It's a new deal.

The criticisms and objections of the heads of state for the request that the Ibër Bridge issue be discussed under dialogue have prompted the European Union to clarify its request more.

European Union spokesman Peter Stano has declared today for Gazeta Express that handling this topic in dialogue does not imply new agreements. The discussion, according to him, will only be about the modalities of implementing existing agreements. Kosovo and Serbia have agreed to open the bridge in 2014.

Facing the bridge issue under the EU facilitated dialogue means discussing the modes of implementing agreements reached for the bridge, not new agreements. The man really needs to listen and try to understand the unanimous well - meaning counsel of all his friends and allies”, Stano has declared.

Even the EU's Emisari for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, has hinted that the discussion will only be about implementing the current agreement.

“How the bridge opening agreement will be implemented will discuss at the next meeting in Brussels”, Lajcak wrote.

He called “fraud” claims that the EU is against opening the bridge or for a change of position.

“The EU has repeatedly stressed that the issue of the Mitrovica bridge should be discussed in the EU-launched dialogue. Claims that the EU opposes opening the bridge or has changed its position are deceptive. Imposing a decision against the will of affected citizens does not contribute to normalising relations. Good governance understands the sensitivity of the minority”, Lajcak wrote.

His reaction came in response to Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, who said no unilateral action can be considered implementation of a deal brokered by the Union itself in 2015 and 2016.

Bislim also mentioned a conversation with Lajcak on his last visit to Kosovo.

“ ... he stated that if Kosovo does not prefer to discuss this issue again in Brussels, his recommendation was that internal discussions with local Serbs in the north be held to address possible security implications and their concerns on the issue. Meanwhile, a QUINT partner added the application for technical inspection”.

He accused the EU of threatening Kosovo, referring to the warning of additional measures.

The EU is now threatening Kosovo, if it implements the EU-brokered agreement itself and additional recommendations. The government of the Republic of Kosovo strongly believes the EU promotes more freedom of movement and fewer borders or walls between ethnicities”, Bislim wrote.

President Vjosa Osmani has reiterated her stance yesterday against handling this topic in dialogue. According to her, this would be unconstitutional. EU spokesman Osman named it racist.

“There is no reason and in every way I object to discussing the bridge opening issue in Brussels, we don't have what we ask Serbia, just as this spokesman, I think it's Slovakia, which does not ask any of the neighbouring states when passing its” bridge, Osmani said. Stano responded indirectly today, warning what would happen if he did not listen to the advice of the Allied states.

I can only remember for all those with trouble to listen and understand that all of Kosovo's friends and allies “have said very clearly and unequivocally, that it is in Kosovo's interest to listen to friends and allies otherwise man risks being left alone and left behind”, Stano's response said.

The United States has asked the Government not to proceed with its plan, as it puts American soldiers serving within KFOR at risk.

“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 could affect the security and protection of American soldiers working to support Kosovo”, American Ambassador Jeffrey Havenier has said.

This case has been raised during the news review at the U.S. State Department. spokesperson Vedant Patel has said Washington will do everything possible for American personnel to be secure.

Let me just say that we certainly won't hesitate to do everything necessary to keep sure that American personnel and our people are protected”, Patel said.

Against the opening of the bridge “unilaterally”, KFOR has also warned KFOR, who have said it would hesitate to act in case of tensions.

Prime Minister Kurti at the Government's meeting Wednesday said co-ordination and consultations” will continue, while Minister Elbert Krasniqi, speaking of Ambassador Havenier's statement, said that for Kosovars American soldiers are the most beloved.

Kosovo and Serbia had agreed to open the main bridge on Iber for circulation under dialogue for normalisation of relations in 2014.

It introduced the so-called “riviralisation of the” bridge, with the aim of removing all barricades and operating of the bridge.

The first barricades on this bridge were erected in 2011 by local Serbs, in sign of opposition to Pristina's expansion of authority in the north.

In 2014, those barricades were replaced by concrete fences, which local authorities in North Mitrovica ʹ led by the Serbian List é called “Peace Park”. This “park” was removed in 2016 when the bridge was supposed to be opened for circulation.

In the same year, Kosovo and Serbia agreed to a new implementation plan, whose goal was to overcome disputes about different interpretations that were made to previous conclusions.

According to the new implementation plan, the complete opening of the bridge was supposed to take place in January 2017.