The European Union has reiterated its position that the Iber Bridge in Mitrovica should be opened, noting that the technical conditions for doing so have already been met. However, the EU stresses that better coordination and meaningful consultations between the municipalities concerned and central-level institutions are still needed to ensure that the bridge serves all communities, Rks News reports.
In its report published today, the EU said it had taken into account KFOR’s change of position regarding the bridge, but emphasised that its opening must be accompanied by institutional coordination.
Beyond the issue of the bridge, the EU has called on Kosovo and Serbia to implement all their obligations under the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation and its Implementation Annex, known as the 2023 Ohrid Agreement, as well as previous dialogue agreements, without delays or preconditions.
In particular, the EU stressed that Kosovo is expected to initiate the process leading to the establishment of self-management arrangements for the Serb community in Kosovo, while Serbia is expected, in parallel, to begin the process of recognising Kosovo’s documents, symbols and institutions.
According to the EU, neither side has made sufficient progress in fulfilling these obligations.
The report reiterates that the 2023 Ohrid Agreement remains valid and legally binding on both parties, and that formal issues relating to its approval or formalisation should not obstruct its implementation.
The EU has warned that the normalisation of relations and implementation of commitments made through the dialogue remain essential conditions for Kosovo’s and Serbia’s European integration processes. It stressed that both risk missing important opportunities in the absence of progress.
