Milan Radojević, the mayor of North Mitrovica, has accused Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti of pursuing policies aimed at merging North Mitrovica with the southern part of the city, claiming that such moves are not acceptable to the local Serbian population.
In a statement to RTS, Radojević said residents of North Mitrovica “want to live in North Mitrovica” and not in a unified municipality, arguing that international actors should exert pressure on Pristina to prevent what he described as attempts to abolish the separate municipal structure.
He claimed that recent actions by Kosovo institutions and the newly elected leadership in South Mitrovica demonstrate what he called an “aggressive approach” toward the northern municipality, including initiatives and visits he says fall outside their jurisdiction.
Radojević also criticized a recent commemorative march organized in South Mitrovica, alleging that it had political implications and that children were involved in activities used for political messaging. Local authorities in South Mitrovica stated the event was held to honor missing persons from the war period.
He further claimed that plans to establish a “Museum of Genocide of Serbs against Albanians” in the northern part of Mitrovica represent a politically sensitive issue, and said Serbian representatives had proposed alternative cultural projects that were rejected by Kosovo institutions.
The mayor also warned that the closure of health clinics in northern Kosovo villages, including Banje and Suvo Grlo, represents what he called a “red line,” urging the European Union and the United States to intervene and ensure that healthcare and education issues are addressed within the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.
International institutions have previously stated that normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia includes discussions on healthcare, education, and other community services.
