The German Embassy in Kosovo has urged the Government of Kosovo to show restraint regarding the planned construction of two new bridges over the Iber River in Mitrovica, warning that the project could lead to escalation and that more urgent priorities should be addressed.
The call comes just as foundation stones are expected to be laid today for both a vehicular and a pedestrian bridge, to be built parallel to the main bridge.
“We fully support the EU’s call to the Government of Kosovo to refrain from constructing two additional river crossings over the Iber in Mitrovica,” said Christian Bottcher, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy.
“Instead of uncoordinated and potentially escalating steps, such as building two new bridges, more pressing challenges need to be addressed for the benefit of citizens,” he stated.
The embassy stressed that public resources should be reoriented toward investments that improve citizens’ wellbeing, highlighting social priorities such as universal healthcare, education funding, and strengthening social safety nets.
“Redirecting Kosovo’s public resources toward the government’s own social priorities would bring far greater benefits,” the embassy noted. “Introducing universal health insurance would expand access to care and protect families from high medical costs; increasing education spending to European and regional averages would better prepare youth for the labor market; and reinforcing social safety nets would promote cohesion across communities and shield families from economic shocks.”
Germany reaffirmed its commitment to assist Kosovo in achieving these long-term goals, encouraging budget reorganization in line with sustainable prosperity.
“Such a shift would bring tangible improvements to daily life, reinforce stability, and pave the way toward lasting prosperity,” the embassy concluded.
