21 minutes agoKFOR: Any decision on Iber Bridge must be made under EU-brokered dialogue
Periskopi(2 years ago)
(2 years ago)Kosovo's government has said it intends to reopen the bridge over Iber for vehicle circulation, dividing South Mitrovica by Albanian majority, and that of the Serb majority north. As a result of this Kosovo authorities days ago tested the bridge's supporting power over the Iber River as step ahead of its opening for [...]
As a result of this, Kosovo authorities days ago tested the bridge's supporting power over the Iber River as a step ahead of its opening for the flow of vehicles.
The insistence on opening this bridge has met with opposition from the international community, which has urged an additional step, a new discussion on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.
The peacekeeping mission is also seeking it. NATO in Kosovo, KFOR. A KFOR official in response to Telegram that “do not want to speculate about any scenarios on it
The future” in case of opening this bridge and leaving its presence on the Iber River.
We will not speculate about any hypothetical scenarios. Our position on this issue has been clear, transparent and consistent all the time. Any decision concerning the opening of the main bridge over the Iber River should be taken within the EU-brokered dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina”, KFOR's response reported.
KFOR has stressed that there continues to be a permanent presence on the bridge over the Iber River.
KFOR's “Mission keeps a permanent presence on the bridge and continues to conduct regular patrols in surrounding areas to ensure stability and security, for the benefit of all local communities. We will not hesitate to address any development that can affect the security environment and regional stability, in full respect for our UN mandate”, says further on KFOR's response.
The QUINT countries, which are part of which France is joined by the United States, Great Britain, Germany and Italy, declared on August 2nd they do not support the opening of the bridge at this moment.
Unlike Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq has declared he expects the opening of the main bridge over the Iber River on August 14th or 15th, as well as the installation of new Serbian leaders in this country by foreign agencies without offering any evidence.
The Serbian president has claimed that the new Serbian figures -- which, according to him, will be installed in Kosovo, “will portray as brave even though they are not, and will try to separate from Belgrade” and that they will respond to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
Allow me to tell you right away that it won't work”, Vuciq said at a news conference.
The bridge, currently, is open only to pedestrians, even though under the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has agreed to open up for vehicle flow as well.
