Kearns reacts harshly EU: It is trying to punish Kosovo for opening a bridge, while the situation in Banjska is being ignored

British MP Alicia Kearns has reacted sharply to the European Union's warnings of new measures if the Kosovo government acts unilaterally by opening the Ibër Bridge.

The European Union hopes that Kosovo will hear the message of the bloc and other international partners regarding recent decisions, which have been described as unilateral and uncoordinated.

EU spokesman Peter Stano said the bloc has made clear the position regarding the closure of nine Serbian Post branches in Kosovo by authorities, but also the Kosovo Government's intention to open for traffic bridge over the Iber River.

He said the punitive measures against Kosovo, imposed in June last year due to increased tensions in the north, are still in force.

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.

Kearns has expressed its concern over EU threats to Kosovo, stressing that the agreement on opening Ibër Bridge was signed in 2015 with the implementation deadline in 2017, and has asked why this agreement is handled differently than others the EU imposed on Kosovo.

Kearns has asked the United Kingdom Government and the new EU team to make it clear that they support building bridges in Kosovo, rather than roadblocks and division.

It has also criticised the EU for failing to act on Serbia, despite numerous evidence linking Milan Radojicic and Banjska attackers to the Serbian state.

According to her, Kosovo's punishment for opening a bridge, while the situation in Banjska is ignored, suggests the process itself is deeply unjust and needs urgent reforms.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said on Thursday that Kosovo should not ask Serbia for opening the bridge within Kosovo's territory, and should not be agreed to discuss the issue in Brussels' dialogue.

According to her, the EU's recent statements on the topic are <x0racist” and that Kosovo should be fully co-ordinated with the United States as far as opening the bridge.

Appaled to see the EU threat Kosovo with another negative device should Ibar Bridge react.

This was agreed in 2015 with an implementation date of 2017 why it is different to the other promising relations EU is Forcing Kosovo to kill?

The new UK Govt and new EU team...

) Alicia Kearns MP (@alicaards) August 15, 2024