Former President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has welcomed confirmation from Brussels that the conditions for opening the main bridge over the Iber River in Mitrovica have been met.
She said that “the opening of the main bridge over the Ibar River and the transfer of responsibilities to the Kosovo Police are welcome developments that further contribute to the full integration of every part of our country’s territory.”
“For more than 27 years, the division of Mitrovica not only created insecurity and problems with the rule of law, but also enabled the ethnic cleansing of Albanians and the usurpation of their property, while simultaneously providing Serbia with an excuse to continue pursuing its hegemonic ambitions to divide Kosovo,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
Osmani said that the opening of the bridge and the free movement across it also represent “a historic step toward countering Serbia’s attempts at territorial expansion.”
“Therefore, free movement across the main bridge over the Ibar River is not only about bringing people together; above all, it is a historic step toward countering Serbia’s attempts at territorial expansion. Despite the significant delays, this step will help increase the level of security and sustainable peace in our country,” she wrote.
In conclusion, she expressed gratitude to the institutions that have worked on the process over the years, particularly the Kosovo Police.
“Gratitude to all institutions that have worked over the years to bring us to this point, and especially to the Kosovo Police, which continues to bear the primary responsibility for security in every corner of our territory and for every citizen of our country.”
