Osmani: 'Kosovo should not ask Serbia about the Ibar bridge'

(Patria) - Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said that Kosovo should not ask Serbia about opening the bridge on Kosovo's territory and should not accept discussions on this issue in the Brussels dialogue.

According to her, the latest statements by the European Union (EU) on this topic are "racist" and in that regard should be fully coordinated with the US.

"As for the European Union, the statements of its officials are racist, I do not believe they deserve attention from my side. I oppose in every way the discussion on opening the bridge in Brussels. We have nothing to ask Serbia," she said.

The European Union's envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajčak, said on Wednesday, August 14, that suggestions that the EU is against opening the main bridge over the Ibar River or that it has changed its stance on the issue are misleading.

"Good governance understands the sensitivity of minorities. How to implement the agreement on opening the bridge, we will discuss at the next meeting in Brussels," Lajčak said.

This bridge, which separates South Mitrovica with a majority Albanian population from North Mitrovica with a majority Serbian population, is open for pedestrians but not for cars.

Can the bridge in Mitrovica be opened without KFOR's consent?

The NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR, warned that it will not hesitate to react to developments related to security.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani also said on Thursday that Kosovo must ensure that the bridge in the north is opened in a way that does not cause conflict with the country's allies, nor increase the presence of the NATO mission in Kosovo, KFOR.

Addressing the media after a meeting with the mayor of Vitina, Sokol Haliti, Osmani, however, said that Kosovo should not discuss the bridge issue with Serbia in Brussels.

"The bridge must be opened, but we must ensure that when it is opened it always remains open, and not that when it is opened it encourages a much larger NATO presence on it. Is it in Kosovo's interest to see a conflict between Kosovo police and an American soldier? I do not believe there are Albanians who agree with this. We have no reason to clash with allies, they saved us," Osmani said.

The government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti has insisted on opening the bridge for vehicle traffic, despite constant opposition from the international community and local Serbs.

Kurti's further consultations on opening the bridge in Mitrovica a 'positive step'
The bridge is currently open only for pedestrians, although it was agreed within the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue that it should be opened for vehicle traffic as well.

US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier said on Tuesday in an interview with Radio Free Europe that there is a real risk that opening the bridge in Mitrovica at this time could affect the security of NATO soldiers, including American ones.

"We believe this risk increases the threat, the possibility of violence and other problems, both for the local community and for NATO soldiers, including American soldiers working to ensure peace and security in Kosovo," Hovenier said.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Wednesday that he will continue consultations with international partners on opening the bridge, but reiterated that its opening "is not against anyone."

During the 2021 elections, Osmani and Kurti participated in a joint ticket, but have recently had opposing views on several issues, one of which is coordination with Kosovo's closest allies such as the United States.