Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, defended the actions taken by Kosovo authorities on August 5th, when nine branches of the Serbian Post were closed in the Serb-majority northern region of Kosovo.
During a visit to North Mitrovica, Sveçla was asked by journalists about the operation, which was criticized by the United States and the European Union.
“What Kosovo’s institutions are doing is very normal. They did not have a license,” said Sveçla.
A day earlier, Kosovo Police stated that the operation was conducted after receiving information from the Regulatory Authority of Electronic and Postal Communications (ARKEP) that unlicensed economic operators were operating in Kosovo without being registered with the Kosovo Business Registration Agency (ARBK).
Authorities closed three offices in North Mitrovica and Leposaviq, two in Zvečan, and one in Zubin Potok.
The European Union criticized the operation, calling it a unilateral and uncoordinated action by Kosovo authorities.
The EU argued that such actions violate the dialogue for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, which is mediated by the EU.
The United States also expressed “deep disappointment” over the closure of the Serbian Post branches.
The U.S. Embassy in Pristina stated that Kosovo’s “uncoordinated actions put Kosovo citizens and KFOR soldiers at great risk, provoke unnecessary escalation of regional tensions, and undermine Kosovo’s reputation as a reliable international partner.”
The closure was also condemned by Serbian Post officials, the Serbian List, and Serbian state institutions.
During his visit to North Mitrovica, Sveçla was asked whether the bridge over the Ibër River, which separates the Albanian-majority South Mitrovica from the Serb-majority North Mitrovica, should be opened to vehicle traffic.
“The bridge will be opened; there is no reason for it not to be. Now, when it will be opened is a matter of expert evaluation,” he said.
The Kosovo government recently reiterated its position that the bridge should be opened for traffic.
In early August, Kosovo’s Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, presented the government’s plan for opening the bridge over the Ibër River to QUINT and EU diplomatic representatives.
“The plan includes infrastructure stability testing of the bridge, risk assessment and natural disaster risks, visual revitalization of the bridge with access for all, discussions with citizens and interest groups, and a comprehensive information campaign about the benefits and goals of opening the bridge,” the government stated on August 2nd.
However, the opening of the bridge is opposed by the international community. The EU is calling for the bridge issue to be part of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.
As part of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, both sides agreed that the bridge should be opened to traffic, but this has never been implemented in practice. Only one side of it has been opened for pedestrians.
Discussions about the bridge have intensified in recent months following calls in the North Mitrovica Municipal Assembly for the bridge to be fully opened to traffic. This municipality in northern Kosovo is led by Erden Atiq from the ruling party, Lëvizja Vetëvendosje.
