European Commission Calls for Coordination and Consultations on Opening Ibar Bridge

The European Union’s (EU) position regarding the main bridge over the Ibar River is clear, European Commission (EC) spokesperson Anita Hipper said during a press conference on August 18.

On Tuesday, the EC said that before the bridge linking Albanian-majority South Mitrovica with Serb-majority North Mitrovica is opened, it expects “effective coordination and meaningful consultations between the affected municipalities and Kosovo’s central institutions.”

Hipper also called on the Kosovo Police to ensure the safety of all communities. “What we are also asking is for the Kosovo Police to guarantee the safety of all communities, in line with democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law, so that everyone feels safe,” she said.

Referring to the current situation, the EC spokesperson noted that pedestrians are allowed to cross the bridge, while vehicle traffic has not yet been permitted.

“We have made our assessment, steps have been taken in this direction, and our position remains that we still expect effective coordination and meaningful consultations, which need to be improved,” Hipper said.

The statement follows an August 10 announcement by KFOR, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, that it had begun the “gradual transition” of its permanent presence on the bridge.

According to KFOR, the decision was made because of the improved security situation. The process will proceed step by step and will depend on conditions, while the mission will continue to maintain a visible presence in South Mitrovica, North Mitrovica and northern Kosovo in general.

After the 1999 war, the main bridge over the Ibar was blocked and, over the years, became a flashpoint for ethnic tensions.

Its opening was agreed between Kosovo and Serbia as part of the EU-mediated dialogue. The implementation plan, agreed by the parties in 2016, stipulated that the bridge would open to traffic in January 2017.

About 1.5 million euros was invested in work to revitalize the bridge, which was completed in 2018. Despite this, it was never opened to vehicle traffic.

Initiatives by the Kosovo government to open the bridge during 2024 were opposed by local Serbs. At the same time, the international community called for any step to be taken in coordination. / REL