The government insists on opening the Ibër Bridge, KFOR wants political dialogue and co-ordination. What was said after Kurti-Ulutas meeting?

A meeting between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and KFOR Commander Ozkan Ulutas made clear the international and those who cared for Kosovo's security on the issue of opening Ibër Bridge.

As long as Kurt insists that the bridge should be opened because according to him it is a right thing, it is KFOR who is thinking otherwise.

Kurti wants opening, while KFOR insists that any decision for the Ibër Bridge should be taken with political dialogue and co-ordinated

After this meeting, there were statements on both sides. The ZKM reported that Prime Minister Kurti announced KFOR's commander on the overall works being conducted on the main bridge over the Iber River and results from the preliminary report on the bridge's sustainability assessment, delivered by the economic operator to the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure.

“Under the necessary steps taken by the Government for the opening of the bridge, he recalled and public meeting with the citizens of North Mitrovica, organised on August 8th by the North Mitrovica municipality and attended were citizens from the Serb community, nongovernmental organisations and representatives from the central and local level, as well as KFOR and EULEX”, the government's announcement said.

Furthermore, the government's announcement says that Kurti expressed conviction that freedom of movement and rule of law, peace and security are all possible together and proper.

“At this meeting was discussed and about the confrontation with fires in these hot summer days and aid that KFOR could offer in their extinction that started with the fields and reached the 87x1> mountains.

“Prime Minister Kurti, accompanied by First Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, Minister of Local Power Management Elbert Krasniqi and Kosovo Deputy General Director Fehmi Hoti, thanked KFOR Commander Ulutas for regular co-operation and communication”, the announcement said.

Communications about the meeting also had KFOR, however, in their statement did not mention meeting with Prime Minister Kurti.

It became clear once again that any decision regarding the bridge over the Iber River should be made through political and coordinated dialogue. KFOR says all actors refrain from unilateral statements and actions that could create tensions.

“We will continue to co-ordinate closely with all of our counterparts, including the Kosovo Police and the EU Mission for Rule of Law (EULEX), as the first and second responder of security,” respectively, says KFOR's response.

KFOR's full announcement:

The NATO-led KFOR mission reaffirms its firm commitment to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo at any time and impartially, under its long UN mandate.

We have a visible and flexible presence throughout Kosovo, and KFOR commander has the authority to adapt it as needed and will not hesitate to act in response to any important security development and in line with our UN mandate.

KFOR also maintains a fixed presence on the main bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica and conducts regular patrols in surrounding areas. Reconfirm that any decision concerning the bridge over the Iber River should be taken through political dialogue and co-ordinated. In this direction, we continue to fully support the EU-brokered dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

It is essential that all actors refrain from unilateral statements and actions that can create tensions. This is the key to sustainable security throughout Kosovo for the benefit of all people and communities and for regional stability.

We will continue to co-ordinate closely with all of our counterparts, including the Kosovo Police and the EU's mission for Law Rule (EULEX), as the first and second security responder, respectively.

KFOR has good resources and is well placed to take all necessary measures to continue fulfilling its UN-appointed mission.