KFOR: The parties should refrain from unilateral statements and actions that could create tensions

The NATO-led peacekeeping forces in Kosovo said on Tuesday that it is essential that all parties refrain from unilateral statements and actions that could create tensions while reiterating that any decision to open the main bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica, it should be taken in the framework of talks facilitated by the European Union.

These statements were made through a press release of the KFOR mission, shortly after the meeting between KFOR commander Özkan Ulutaş and Prime Minister Albin Kurti, where the issue of opening the bridge over the Ibër River in Mitrovica was also discussed.

"We have a visible and flexible presence throughout Kosovo and the KFOR commander has the authority to adapt it as needed and will not hesitate to act in response to any significant security developments and in line with our UN mandate. " said in the communiqué of the peacekeeping forces.

KFOR reiterated the position that it maintains a presence of its troops on the main bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica and conducts regular patrols in the surrounding areas.

"It is essential that all actors refrain from unilateral statements and actions that could create tensions. This is the key to stable security throughout Kosovo, for the benefit of all people and communities and for regional stability", the KFOR mission communique says.

The Government of Kosovo in a press release said that the decision to open the bridge over the Ibër River is fair, necessary and useful.

The government communique states that Prime Minister Albin Kurti informed the KFOR commander Özkan Ulutaş "about the general works being carried out on the main bridge over the Ibër River and the results of the preliminary report of the assessment of the stability of the bridge, submitted by the economic operator to Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure".

The government communiqué quotes Prime Minister Albin Kurti as saying that he is convinced that freedom of movement and the rule of law, peace and security are all possible together and right.

The authorities in Kosovo said on Tuesday that they have received the technical report on the stability of the main bridge over the Ibar, in preparation for its opening to the movement of cars.

Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Hysen Durmishi said that according to the report, the bridge over the Ibër River is stable and functional.

"The report clearly concludes that the structure of the bridge over the Ibër River is stable and functional and as such can be used for use without any load restrictions," he wrote on social networks, underlining that the report is preliminary.

Plans to open the bridge are opposed by members of the Serbian community and have drawn criticism from the United States and the European Union.

The European Union said on Tuesday that it plans to decide the status of the bridge over the Iber River, which marks the dividing line of Mitrovica, at the next dialogue meeting between Kosovo and Serbia in Brussels.

"The issue of the bridge, as you know, this is part of the issue of dialogue, despite the fact that the government of Kosovo acts to the contrary", said the spokeswoman of the European Union, Nabila Massrali, during a press conference for journalists in Brussels.

Meanwhile, the European Union has warned that it may increase the punitive measures against Kosovo, which have been in force since June of last year, if the administration in Pristina continues with unilateral and uncoordinated actions in the north, inhabited by a majority of Serbs./VOA