De Rio points out that Italy is not against the opening of the bridge, but adds that this should be done in coordination with the European Union, the QUINT countries and the international community in general
The ambassador of Italy in Kosovo, Antonello De Riu, says that the opening of the bridge over the river Ibër must be done in coordination with international factors.
This action, according to him, reflects in terms of security and as such should be evaluated carefully.
De Rio emphasizes that Italy is not against the opening of the bridge, but adds that this should be done in coordination with the European Union, the QUINT countries and the international community in general.
The Italian ambassador has also spoken about the general security in Kosovo, for which he says that there is no great danger of the situation escalating.
In addition to these, De Riu says that an increasing trend of trade exchanges has been observed, raising Italian exports to Kosovo and Kosovar exports to Italy.
“The opening of the bridge, as has been said at the level of the European Union and Quint, must be a joint act through an operation coordinated with international factors. Therefore, what we require, as in many other situations, is that there be coordination with the international community. The opening of this bridge, having reflections under the aspect of safety, in our opinion, should be evaluated carefully. We are not against the opening of the bridge, but we request, as in many other situations, that there be a coordination with the European Union, with the QUINT countries and with the international community in general”, says De Riu.
According to him, at the moment there is no great risk of escalation of the situation in Kosovo, because according to him, KFOR soldiers are monitoring the borders of the country, guaranteeing stability and security.
“At the moment we do not see a great risk of escalation for the simple reason that we have KFOR soldiers who monitor the borders of the country and guarantee the stability and security of Kosovo. And I want to remind you that within the KFOR contingent, the largest number of national contingents within the KFOR forces are Italians, with 815 Italian soldiers who monitor the security of Kosovo and will continue to do so” , says De Rio.
Among other things, De Riu also talks about the liberalization of visas in Kosovo, which he hopes will bring an increase in visits by Kosovar citizens to Italy, because this can also increase the number of flights to Italy.
“The liberalization of visas has enabled – finally – many Kosovar citizens to travel to Europe for tourism or even to meet their loved ones, and this undoubtedly also happens in Italy, where there are over 46,000 Kosovar citizens living in the country mine. Of course, it is also an incentive for tourism and we hope that the liberalization of visas will bring an increase in the visits of Kosovar citizens to Italy and this may also increase the number of flights to Italy, currently limited only to the city of Milan, only twice per week. We are working to increase the number of flights to other cities as well”, emphasizes De Riu.
The Italian ambassador in Kosovo, Antonello De Riu, says that last year’s data show that the number of Italian exports to Kosovo has increased and vice versa.
He adds that work is being done to increase interaction between Kosovar and Italian businessmen.
“It is still too early to say for sure, but the data of the last year (2023) reflect an increasing trend of trade exchanges, increasing Italian exports to Kosovo and also Kosovar exports to Italy. Currently, in my opinion, with still very incomplete data, it is difficult to make predictions on how much the increase in visits by Kosovar citizens for tourist reasons can affect our commercial exchanges. We are still working to increase the interaction between Kosovar and Italian businessmen in order to create greater opportunities for business and investments, also here in Kosovo”, De Riu emphasizes./KP
