German Embassy urges Kurt not to build bridges on Iber é instruct him to invest in education and health insurance

The German Embassy has called on Kosovo's incumbent government for restraint in connection with the construction of two bridges over Iber ão parallel to the main bridge, whose cornerstone will be launched this afternoon.

“We fully support the European Union's call to the Kosovo government to refrain from building two new Iber River crossings in Mitrovica. Instead of uncoordinated and potentially escalating actions, such as building two other bridges, much more urgent challenges must be addressed, Gazeta Express Christian Bötcher, deputy head of Mission at the German Embassy, told the newspaper.

The embassy instructed the government in office to invest money instead in things that enhance the welfare of citizens.

“Reorienting Kosovo's public resources towards the government's own social priorities would bring much greater benefits. The introduction of universal health insurance would enhance access to care and protect families from high medical costs; increased spending on education at average European and regional levels would better prepare young people for the labour market; and strengthening social safety networks would foster cohesion in all communities; and would protect families from economic shocks”, the German Embassy for Gazette Express said.

She urged the Government of Kosovo, which by working closely with international partners, to reshuffle its budget around these past goals, adding that Germany will help in this direction.

Such a change would bring tangible improvements in everyday life, reinforce stability and pave the way for sustainable prosperity. Germany continues to be ready to assist Kosovo in achieving these” goals.

The wash for these bridges came shortly after the establishment of the Joint Board between South Mitrovica and North Mitrovica. The establishment of this board was supported by the incumbent Government of Albin Kurti.

The Vetevendosje Movement then published the project to build two new bridges over the Iber River that connect south and northern Mitrovica.

This project will facilitate citizens' circulation and serve as infrastructure for communication, integration and development between two parts of the city”, Kurti's party said.

In response to this news, the European Union in a response to the Express newspaper the other day said neither is it aware nor is it involved in the project

The European Union said any construction decision regarding this bridge should be made carefully and including communities.

“The EU is neither aware nor involved in this project. Any decision to build infrastructure on the Iber River should be carefully and inclusively taken, including fully all affected communities”, an EU spokesperson for Express has said.

The construction of these two bridges was seen as an attempt by Kurt's government to replace the failed plan to open the Ibër Bridge for vehicle flow, which stood by the international community.

Last summer on the Ibër Bridge, procedures were initiated for testing the Ibër Bridge's supporting power as a step ahead of its opening for vehicle flow, and heavy - weighted trucks were sent there.

For the opening of the Ibër Bridge, the internationals demanded that it be discussed at the dialogue table and the same position had been held by KFOR, who is located on the bridge.

However, these efforts ended without any results./Periscopi/