The European Commission (EC) said on Tuesday that it expects “effective coordination and meaningful consultations between the affected municipalities and the central institutions of Kosovo” for the opening of the main bridge over the Ibar River – which connects South Mitrovica, inhabited by an Albanian majority, and North Mitrovica, inhabited by a Serb majority.
EC spokeswoman Anita Hipper said at a press conference on August 18 that the European Union's (EU) position on the bridge is clear.
"What we also ask for is that the Kosovo Police guarantee the security of all communities, in accordance with democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law, so that everyone feels safe," Hipper stated.
Speaking about the current situation, she recalled that the bridge is open to pedestrians, but not yet to vehicle traffic.
"We have made our assessment, steps have been taken in this direction. and our position remains that we still expect effective coordination and meaningful consultations, which need to be improved," Hipper said.
Her statement comes after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) peacekeeping mission in Kosovo - KFOR, announced on August 10 that it has begun the "gradual transition" of its permanent presence on the bridge.
KFOR said the decision is related to the improvement of the security situation, and that the process will be gradual and depending on conditions. The mission, however, will continue to maintain a visible presence in South and North Mitrovica, as well as in northern Kosovo in general.
The main bridge over the Ibar was blocked after the 1999 war and, over the years, has been a hotbed of ethnic tensions.
Kosovo and Serbia agreed to open the bridge as part of the EU-mediated dialogue. According to the implementation plan, agreed in 2016, the bridge was to be opened to traffic in January 2017.
Its revitalization works, in which around 1.5 million euros were invested, were completed in 2018. However, the bridge was never opened to vehicles.
In 2024, the Kosovo Government's efforts to open it up sparked opposition from local Serbs, and demands from the international community that any action be taken through coordination./REL
