Sveçla welcomes KFOR’s gradual withdrawal from the Mitrovica bridge: Kosovo has grown stronger

Acting Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla described the start of KFOR’s gradual withdrawal from Mitrovica’s Main Bridge as a positive development. According to him, the improvement in the security situation will also enable a reduction in the presence of the Kosovo Police at the bridge.

Sveçla said the change would be implemented in close cooperation with KFOR, which until now has been responsible for security at Mitrovica’s Main Bridge, while the capacities of the Kosovo Police are continuing to grow.

“It is undoubtedly good news. This process will take place in close coordination with KFOR, which until now has been responsible for security at this bridge,” he declared.

The acting minister emphasized that, alongside the improvement in security, the presence of the Kosovo Police would also be reduced. He described this as a short-term process aimed at ensuring that the bridge’s opening benefits everyone and has no negative consequences for anyone.

“The time will come when the next steps will be made public and seen, just as they are being seen today. What for 27 years has been a concern, but also a symbol of division, will remain a memory,” Sveçla said.

He added that the institutions were working to conclude the process in the best way possible, announcing that there would soon be other positive developments as well.

“We are all committed to ensuring that this process ends as well as possible, and very soon we will have more good news,” he said.

Speaking about statements coming from Serbia and recent developments in the security sphere, Sveçla said that Kosovo was no longer in the same condition as in the past, but had grown stronger and was ready to assume responsibility for guaranteeing the security of everyone.

“We are used to constantly hearing statements that undermine the sovereignty and threaten the security of the Republic of Kosovo. These positions do not surprise us, since Serbia has not changed and remains the same as it was in 1998-1999 and in earlier periods. Meanwhile, Kosovo is no longer what it once was. It is growing stronger, moving forward and is ready to assume all responsibility for guaranteeing security for everyone, as well as creating paths and opportunities for the further development and prosperity of the Republic of Kosovo,” he declared, reports RTKLive.

Regarding the declaration of the director of Telekom Srbija as persona non grata, Sveçla warned that similar measures could also be taken against other individuals who, according to him, pose a threat to Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Anyone who enters the territory of the Republic of Kosovo and acts or seeks to endanger its sovereignty or territorial integrity will face the same measures,” he said.