NATO: Ibër Bridge Opening Decision Must Be Made in Dialogue

The EU's special emissary for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, held separate meetings with Kosovo's chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi, and with Serbia's Petar Petkovovic, today.

However, in addition to these meetings, Bislimi and Petkovovic also met separately with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations Tom Goffus and Civil Operations Commander in the EU Foreign Action Service Sefano Tomat.

Goffus, in a statement published on NATO's website, said he spoke at these meetings about the security situation in Kosovo, as he said the same was addressing security concerns about the possible opening of the Ibër Bridge for the flow of vehicles.

“Z. Goffus stressed the need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution. He noted that decisions should be made through dialogue, in time and effective co-ordination with the international community, and in order not to endanger the security of local communities or NATO troops. He added that the NATO-led KFOR mission is obliged by his UN mandate to address any security concern and to provide a safe and secure” environment, NATO quoted Goffus as saying.

On the other hand, it becomes known that at the meetings, Goffus reiterated NATO's full support for the EU-launched dialogue on normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

This is the framework for resolving unresolved issues and reaching solutions that respect the rights of all communities, which is key to sustainable security in Kosovo and for stability throughout the Western Balkans”, KFOR said.

During the day, there have been reports that chief negotiators Bislim and Petkovic will go to NATO to discuss the opening issue of the Ibër Bridge.