KFOR has announced that it will begin gradually withdrawing its permanent presence from the main bridge over the Ibër River in Mitrovica, citing the improvement of the security situation in Kosovo.
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At the same time, the Kosovo Police has begun assuming responsibility for security at the bridge, while other responsibilities are also being transferred in the area surrounding the Deçan Monastery.
The process is considered important for increasing the role and capabilities of Kosovo’s institutions in guaranteeing security throughout the territory. At the same time, it is also seen as a political message to Belgrade and to actors who oppose the consolidation of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.
Albanian-American activist Agim Aliçkaj described KFOR’s announcement as very positive news for Kosovo. Speaking to “Bota sot,” he said the development demonstrates the functioning of the state and the expansion of its institutions’ responsibilities in the field of security.
“KFOR’s announcement on the gradual transfer of oversight of the main Ibër Bridge, as well as the gradual involvement of the Kosovo Police in securing the Deçan Monastery, is very good news for the state of Kosovo. Although the establishment of the institutions has been accompanied by problems, caused mainly by blockades from those who lost the elections, the state continues to function. In such cases, many voices emerge seeking to claim this major achievement for themselves, since, as they say: ‘Success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.’ Nevertheless, the main credit belongs to Prime Minister Kurti and the Kosovo Police,” Aliçkaj declared.
He also focused on the symbolic importance of the Ibër Bridge, which he described as a key element for the unification of Mitrovica and for incorporating northern Kosovo into the functioning of the state.
According to him, bridges have a unifying role, while the Ibër Bridge represents the unification of Mitrovica and northern Kosovo, as well as Kosovo’s functioning as a strong and unified state throughout its internationally recognized territory.
“After the risk of a confrontation with KFOR over the main bridge across the Ibër, the Government of Kosovo made a strategic retreat. It took a measured and very wise decision to build new bridges over the Ibër River. The project was completed quickly and professionally,” Aliçkaj said.
He said the construction of the new bridges had diminished the importance of the main Ibër Bridge, while their use had shown that movement and connections between the parts of Mitrovica could develop normally without endangering the communities living in the north.
“The new bridges reduced the importance of the bridge controlled by KFOR. At the same time, they demonstrated that they function normally and pose no danger to the people of northern Kosovo, including the Serb minority. On the contrary, they are in everyone’s interest, as they make life easier for people regardless of nationality. The Kosovo Police is proving every day that it is organized, professional and capable of guaranteeing the security of the people of Kosovo. This significantly assists KFOR, creating opportunities for it to reduce the troops engaged in internal security and focus them on protecting the borders of the state of Kosovo,” Aliçkaj declared.
Regarding the Deçan Monastery, Aliçkaj said the gradual transfer of responsibilities to the Kosovo Police was a sign of growing international trust in the country’s institutions and their ability to protect sites of cultural importance.
“Historically, the Deçan Monastery has always been guarded and protected by Albanians, as it represents a national value, despite having been forcibly and illegally appropriated by the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Kosovo Police has earned international trust that it is capable of protecting Kosovo’s cultural heritage,” he said.
The Albanian-American activist also commented on the Serbian List’s reactions to KFOR’s decisions. According to him, these positions demonstrate the party’s opposition to the strengthening of Kosovo’s institutions and convey a clear message to Belgrade.
“The Serbian List’s reaction against KFOR’s decisions was expected. It is proving every day that it is a hostile organization, controlled and established by the Serbian regime for the destruction of Kosovo. The message to Belgrade is clear: its plans to reconquer Kosovo cannot be realized. The sooner the Serb minority breaks away from the Serbian List and Serbia, accepting and serving the state of Kosovo, the better it will be for them,” Aliçkaj said.
According to him, this issue is also expected to affect the domestic political debate, particularly relations with the opposition and the way the achievements of Kosovo’s institutions are assessed. Aliçkaj stressed that political clashes should not undermine the functioning of the state.
“Kosovo’s opposition continues to boycott the state, ignoring and denying this achievement, as well as every other success of Prime Minister Kurti and his coalition. He won the people’s votes to govern for a third time as well. Instead of respecting the will of the citizens, enabling normal governance and voting for a consensual non-partisan president, they continue with the same destructive actions, which the people understand and punish. The sooner the opposition leaders break away from Rama, Grenell, the oligarchs and the press sold out to Kosovo’s enemies, the better it will be for them and for the Republic of Kosovo,” he declared.
In conclusion, Aliçkaj said developments in the security sector should be assessed beyond partisan interests and as part of the process of strengthening the state of Kosovo.
“People’s votes cannot be won without having any positive and realistic program for governance. It is not right to harm the state in the hope that this will weaken the political opponent. Without a state, there are no political parties,” Agim Aliçkaj concluded in comments to “Bota sot.”
