The European Union has confirmed that NATO informed it of the gradual transition of KFOR’s permanent presence away from the Ibar Bridge in Mitrovica.

In response to the matter, the EU called on the Kosovo Police to ensure security for all communities.

“It is up to NATO to decide on the deployment of the NATO mission in Kosovo. We can confirm that the EU has been informed by NATO. The EU’s position on the bridge has always been clear and based on the need to ensure that it serves all the communities and municipalities it connects and contributes to cooperation and good relations among them,” an EU spokesperson said in a response to KOHA.

The EU official said that following the transfer of power in the northern municipalities, cooperation between the municipalities concerned and central-level institutions needs to improve.

“It is important for the Kosovo Police to provide security and protection for all communities, in accordance with democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law, so that everyone feels safe,” the response said.

“All decisions concerning the bridge must take into account the interests and concerns of all communities.”

The post KFOR Announces Withdrawal from Ibar Bridge, EU Responds: We Have Been Informed; Kosovo Police Must Ensure Security for All Communities appeared first on Albeu.com.

Halil Geci has responded in harsh terms to the opposition, accusing it of applying different standards to issues concerning northern Kosovo and the Mitrovica Bridge. In a Facebook post, he recalled the opposition’s earlier criticism of Albin Kurti’s government over the establishment of institutional authority in the north, stressing that today, as developments surrounding the bridge have changed, Kurti’s opponents are no longer using the same critical language.

According to Geci, opposition to the prime minister was not always related to the decisions themselves, but to the fact that they were being made by Kurti. He claims that in the past the opposition justified withdrawal or inaction by arguing that it was demanded by international pressure, while it did not use the same explanation when it was in power, reports “Bota sot”.

Referring to the political history of the north and Mitrovica, Geci calls on the opposition to explain its current position on the presence of institutions and the authority of the Kosovo state in that part of the country.

He interprets the opposition’s silence as an indication that, in his view, political attacks against Kurti have been placed above the state interest.

THE OPPOSITION DEMANDED WITHDRAWAL FROM THE NORTH YESTERDAY, BUT IS SILENT ABOUT THE MITROVICA BRIDGE TODAY!

In 1999, Thaçi spoke about a divided Mitrovica. Even after 27 years, the question remains open: who has actually worked to overcome this division?

Yesterday, the claim was that “America is not allowing us,” while today, when reality has taken a different direction, the opposition’s silence, according to Geci, shows that the problem was not always state policy, but the person implementing it.

When Kosovo sought to establish its sovereignty in the north, the opposition and several international representatives called for the withdrawal of the Kosovo Police. Today, when KFOR has withdrawn from the bridge and Europe has approved this step, the same critics are not reacting.

Do you remember? For those who may have forgotten, I will repeat it.

Do you remember when Hashim Thaçi held press conferences and declared: “Unfortunately, Mitrovica is divided”? The interpreter, Vlora, conveyed the message, while Thaçi asked protesters to leave the bridge, saying that the matter was under KFOR’s supervision.

After so many years, according to Geci, the question arises as to why the authorities of that time accepted in practice the division of Mitrovica under international administration and supervision.

Because Thaçi himself was an “agent of the French.”

Do you remember that Isa Mustafa’s LDK also followed the same political approach?

But let us focus on recent years. Do you know what kind of pressure Albin Kurti faced from international actors and the domestic opposition to remove the Special Police from the north?

During that period, the opposition and some of the international partners insistently demanded the withdrawal of the Kosovo Police. For some of them, it appeared that preserving momentary calm was more important than establishing state authority in every part of Kosovo.

Kurti took a step back at that moment, but, according to Geci, he did not abandon the idea of unification.

He chose to build other bridges, while also conveying a clear political message: “I am for bridges that connect, not barriers that divide.”

Today, KFOR has withdrawn from the Mitrovica Bridge, and this development has also been accepted by the European side.

What is the opposition doing in the meantime? It is silent.

Geci believes that this silence speaks louder than all the noise it made in the past. When Kurti was trying to extend the authority of the state, the opposition’s call was: “Remove the Police!” Now, when a new development at the bridge has also been accepted by international partners, virtually no reaction can be heard.

Therefore, the question arises: where did the problem lie back then?

According to Geci, the issue was not only the bridge. He claims that the problem lay with the opposition, which, when it made mistakes, justified itself by saying: “America is not letting us.” Meanwhile, every action taken by Kurti was immediately criticized.

When he acted, they attacked him. When he withdrew because of pressure, they criticized him again. Even when he built bridges and tried to connect Mitrovica, opposition to him continued.

Thus, for the opposition, the problem was not always what Kurti did, but the fact that it was Kurti who was doing it.

Even when Kosovo gained institutional ground in the north, criticism did not stop. Under these circumstances, the question is what the opposition really wanted: a stronger Kosovo or simply another opportunity to attack Kurti?

Do not forget that for more than two decades, you who are in opposition today have had the opportunity to lead this country. Apart from stealing, we have seen nothing else from you.

You have governed, made decisions, negotiated and concluded agreements.

According to your critics, many of those years were characterized by poor governance, corruption, controversial privatizations and abuse of power.

When you were held accountable for what was happening, the response was: “America has it in its hands. Whatever it wants, that is what we do.”

But do you also remember another moment? In the center of Pristina, through the voice of President Bill Clinton, Kosovo received a clear message: “We brought you freedom; you build the state and peace.”

This meant that freedom was not given to Kosovo so that it would remain permanently dependent on others. It was given the opportunity to build its own state.

Today, you should be asked several questions. If yesterday you demanded Kosovo’s withdrawal from the north on the grounds that “this is what the internationals are asking for,” why are you silent today when developments are taking a different direction?

If you considered the establishment of Kosovo’s institutions in the north dangerous back then, why do you not accept today that the state should be present throughout its territory?

And if you have nothing to say today, then do not tell us tomorrow that you were right, spinning tales with drums.

Politics does not mean shouting whenever your opponent acts and remaining silent when reality disproves your criticism. It requires vision, responsibility and memory.

Geci also offers the opposition some advice: Let the boy work. If you cannot help him, at least do not obstruct him.

If you have no alternative, do not label every action he takes as treason. And if you believe that you know more about politics than he does, then prove it through a program, not by shouting on television.

Kosovo needs a strong opposition, but not an opposition that judges every issue solely on the basis of its electoral interests.

The country needs people who know how to build political, institutional and national bridges, not people who feed on divisions.

The Mitrovica Bridge represents more than concrete and steel. It is a symbol.

History will show who worked to connect Albanians with their state and who practiced politics by keeping them divided.

Kosovo does not need nostalgists for division. It needs a state, sovereignty, justice and unity.

The post Geci accuses the opposition of double standards toward the north and the Mitrovica Bridge appeared first on Albeu.com.

Viktor Buzhala has reacted to the latest developments concerning the opening of the main bridge over the Ibar River, which has remained closed and separated Kosovo from Serbia for 27 years. He interpreted the development as an achievement in Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s favor.

In a Facebook post, Buzhala commented ironically on Kurti’s relationship with the European Union, claiming that the prime minister had managed to persuade the EU to open the bridge as well.

“Albin is gradually winning over even the European Union. Imagine, he managed to persuade them to open, after 27 years, a bridge that had been designated to serve as a border crossing between Kosovo and Serbia until 2020,” he wrote, according to “Bota Sot.”

His reaction came after the European Union confirmed that the necessary conditions had been met for the opening of the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica.

This confirmation followed KFOR’s decision to begin a gradual transition of its permanent military presence at this location.

The post Albin Is Winning Over the EU Too” – Viktor Buzhala Comments on the Opening of the Ibar Bridge and His Relationship with Kurti appeared first on Albeu.com.

Former President Vjosa Osmani welcomed the opening of the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica, as well as the transfer of responsibilities to the Kosovo Police.

In a Facebook post, Osmani said these actions mark an important step toward the full integration of all parts of Kosovo’s territory and the strengthening of law and order.

According to her, for more than 27 years, the division of Mitrovica not only caused insecurity and difficulties in upholding the rule of law, but also created opportunities for the ethnic cleansing of Albanians and the seizure of their properties. At the same time, she stressed, this situation served Serbia as a pretext to pursue its hegemonic ambitions to partition Kosovo.

Osmani said that freedom of movement across the main bridge over the Ibar, beyond bringing people closer together, represents above all a historic moment in countering Serbia’s attempts to seize territory.

She added that although this development has come after significant delays, it will help raise the level of security and strengthen lasting peace in the country.

Finally, Osmani expressed gratitude to all the institutions that have worked over the years to reach this point, singling out the Kosovo Police, which, she said, continues to bear the primary responsibility for security in every part of the territory and for every citizen of the country.

The post Osmani: Opening of the Ibar Bridge a Historic Moment in the Face of Serbia’s Attempts to Partition Kosovo appeared first on Albeu.com.

Security at the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica has begun to pass into the hands of the Kosovo Police. At the same time, the institution is also being entrusted with new duties in the area surrounding Deçan Monastery.

The changes are being implemented as part of a gradual transition from KFOR’s permanent presence toward greater involvement by the Kosovo Police in the security structure. The process is being viewed as an important step in strengthening the local institutions responsible for law and order and security.

In an interview with “Bota sot,” lawyer Gazmend Halilaj discussed the political and institutional significance of this development, the message it sends to Belgrade, and its potential impact on domestic political discussions in Kosovo.

Halilaj said the phased transfer of responsibilities to Kosovo’s institutions does not represent a weakening of security or the international presence. According to him, it shows that the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have increased their capacities and are ready to assume greater responsibility.

Referring to KFOR’s decision to gradually modify its permanent presence at the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica, in line with the improved security situation, he described it as a particularly important development for Kosovo. According to Halilaj, the process demonstrates that the security structures and institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are consolidating and assuming an increasingly significant role in guaranteeing law and order and security throughout the country.

He emphasized that KFOR continues to be of great importance to stability in Kosovo and the region. However, according to him, the objective of every democratic state is for local institutions to be capable of efficiently fulfilling their responsibilities. For this reason, KFOR’s gradual shift from a permanent presence toward a more flexible role should be understood as an indication of greater stability and stronger local capacities, rather than as a threat to security.

The lawyer also attached particular importance to the gradual integration of the Kosovo Police into KFOR’s security architecture at Deçan Monastery.

In his assessment, this step shows that the Kosovo Police’s role is expanding and trust in it is growing, especially in places where security issues have often been intertwined with political and ethnic tensions.

Halilaj said the phased integration of the Kosovo Police into KFOR’s security system at Deçan Monastery carries considerable institutional significance. He stressed that the Kosovo Police is increasingly being treated as a professional institution of importance to security in the Republic of Kosovo, which is particularly significant in areas where security has often been exploited as a tool to fuel political and ethnic tensions.

According to Halilaj, the latest developments also contain a direct message for Belgrade: responsibility for security in Kosovo rests with the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

He explained that institutional strengthening should not be presented as a measure directed against any community. On the contrary, according to him, it is about strengthening Kosovo’s constitutional order and institutional organization.

The lawyer said Belgrade must clearly understand that every step that strengthens the institutions responsible for security in Kosovo contributes to long-term stability. He reiterated that the process is not directed against any community but aims to consolidate the country’s constitutional and institutional order.

Regarding political actors within Kosovo that oppose or downplay the strengthening of state institutions, Halilaj said this development should serve as evidence that building professional and functional institutions benefits all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or political affiliation.

Speaking about the political impact, he said the Kosovo government may also present this development as a political achievement. However, Halilaj stressed that strengthening the security institutions cannot be considered the achievement of only one particular government or party.

According to him, security is a matter of state interest, so any progress made in this regard should be regarded as a shared success of Kosovo’s institutions.

Halilaj said that growing confidence in local capabilities and the strengthening of security structures are positive developments for the state, and it is therefore natural for the Kosovo government to also regard them as a political success. Nevertheless, he called it unfair for such an institutional process to be appropriated by one government or political force, because the security of the Republic of Kosovo is a state interest and the results in this sector belong to the country’s institutions as a whole.

In conclusion, Halilaj called on the opposition to approach this development with a sense of responsibility toward the state. He said opposition to the government should not become an obstacle to processes that strengthen the security institutions.

According to him, the interests of the state, rather than party gains, should take priority because governments and parties change, while state institutions continue to exist.

He stressed that the opposition may criticize the government on many issues, but improved security, the strengthening of the Kosovo Police, and the expansion of the responsibilities of the Republic’s institutions should not be turned into an ordinary clash between political parties.

Gazmend Halilaj concluded his statement to “Bota sot” by reiterating that parties enter and leave the political stage and governments change, while state institutions remain. For precisely this reason, according to him, this is a case in which the interests of the state must be placed above party interests.

The post KFOR Begins Transferring Responsibilities to Kosovo Police at the Ibar Bridge and Deçan Monastery, Halilaj Explains the Significance appeared first on Albeu.com.

KFOR’s permanent presence on the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica will undergo a gradual transition. The mission justified the decision by citing the improved security situation in Kosovo.

As part of this process, the Kosovo Police have begun taking over security on the main bridge over the Ibar. They are also gradually being given new responsibilities in the area surrounding the Deçan Monastery.

The transfer of these duties is considered an important development in strengthening the capacity of Kosovo’s institutions to guarantee security throughout the territory. At the same time, it is also seen as a political signal to Belgrade and those who oppose the strengthening of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

Albanian-American activist Agim Aliçkaj, speaking to “Bota Sot,” described KFOR’s announcement as very positive news for the state of Kosovo. According to him, the move demonstrates that state institutions are continuing their work and assuming an increasing number of responsibilities in the security sector.

Aliçkaj said the gradual transition of oversight of the main Ibar Bridge from KFOR, together with the Kosovo Police’s gradual involvement in securing the Deçan Monastery, represents very good news for Kosovo. He emphasized that the state is functioning despite the difficulties in establishing institutions, which, according to him, have been caused mainly by blockades imposed by the election losers.

He added that in such cases, many voices emerge seeking to claim credit for a major achievement, recalling the saying that success has many fathers, while failure remains an orphan. Nevertheless, according to Aliçkaj, Prime Minister Kurti and the Kosovo Police deserve most of the credit for this development.

Analyzing the symbolic importance of the Ibar Bridge, Aliçkaj described it as a key point for unifying Mitrovica and integrating northern Kosovo into the functioning of the state.

According to him, bridges serve to bring people closer together, while the Ibar Bridge symbolizes the unification of Mitrovica and northern Kosovo, as well as the country’s functioning as a strong and unified state throughout its internationally recognized territory.

Aliçkaj recalled that, following the risk of a confrontation with KFOR over the main bridge across the Ibar, the Government of Kosovo made a strategic retreat. He described the decision to build new bridges over the Ibar River as prudent and very wise, adding that the project was implemented quickly and professionally.

In his assessment, the new bridges have diminished the importance of the bridge controlled by KFOR. Their operation, according to Aliçkaj, has shown that links and traffic between the different parts of Mitrovica can proceed normally without creating any risk for residents of northern Kosovo, including the Serb minority.

He emphasized that these bridges are in everyone’s interest because they make life easier for citizens regardless of their ethnicity. Aliçkaj also said that the Kosovo Police are demonstrating every day that they are organized, professional and capable of guaranteeing the security of the people of Kosovo.

According to him, the work of the Kosovo Police significantly eases KFOR’s duties. This allows the mission to reduce the number of troops assigned to internal security and redirect them toward protecting the borders of the state of Kosovo.

Regarding the Deçan Monastery, Aliçkaj said the gradual assumption of responsibilities by the Kosovo Police demonstrates growing international confidence in local institutions and their ability to protect sites of cultural importance.

He stated that the Deçan Monastery has historically always been guarded and protected by Albanians because it represents a national treasure, despite, according to him, having been forcibly and illegally appropriated by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Aliçkaj added that the Kosovo Police have earned the international community’s trust in their ability to protect Kosovo’s cultural heritage.

Commenting on the Serbian List’s objections to KFOR’s decisions, he said such a reaction was expected and reflected opposition to the strengthening of Kosovo’s institutions. According to him, the development sends a clear message to Belgrade.

Aliçkaj described the Serbian List as a hostile organization installed and controlled by the Serbian regime with the aim of destroying Kosovo. He said Belgrade’s dreams of reoccupying Kosovo cannot be realized. According to him, the sooner the Serb minority distances itself from the influence of the Serbian List and Serbia, accepts the state of Kosovo and serves it, the better it will be for the community.

This process is also expected to become part of the domestic political debate, particularly in relation to the opposition and its position toward the achievements of Kosovo’s institutions. Aliçkaj said clashes between political parties should not obstruct the functioning of the state.

He accused Kosovo’s opposition of continuing to boycott the state, as well as denying and disregarding this achievement and every other result achieved by Prime Minister Kurti and his coalition. Aliçkaj emphasized that Kurti received the votes of citizens to govern for a third time.

According to him, instead of implementing the will of the people, enabling normal governance and voting for a consensual, nonpartisan president, the opposition is continuing the same destructive actions, which citizens understand and punish. He stated that the sooner opposition leaders distance themselves from Rama, Grenell, the oligarchs and the press that has sold itself to Kosovo’s enemies, the better it will be both for them and for the Republic of Kosovo.

In conclusion, Aliçkaj called for developments in the security sector to be assessed beyond party interests and as part of the process of strengthening the state of Kosovo.

He concluded his statement to “Bota Sot” by saying that citizens’ votes cannot be won without a positive and realistic governing program. According to Agim Aliçkaj, the state must not be harmed in the hope that doing so will weaken a political opponent, because without a state there can be no political parties.

The post KFOR Begins Gradual Withdrawal from Ibar Bridge, Aliçkaj: Kurti and Kosovo Police Deserve Most of the Credit appeared first on Albeu.com.

Kosovo Police have begun taking over security duties on the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica. At the same time, additional responsibilities in the area surrounding Decani Monastery are also being transferred to them.

The process is part of a gradual transition from KFOR’s permanent presence toward greater involvement by Kosovo Police in the security architecture. The change is being viewed as an important step in consolidating local security institutions.

Lawyer Gazmend Halilaj spoke to “Bota sot” about the political and institutional significance of this development, the message it sends to Belgrade, and its potential effects on Kosovo’s domestic political debate.

Halilaj said the phased transfer of responsibilities to Kosovo institutions does not represent a weakening of security or of the international role. On the contrary, according to him, it shows that the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have expanded their capacities and are assuming greater responsibility.

“KFOR’s decision to gradually adjust its permanent presence on the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica, following an improvement in the security situation, is of particular importance to Kosovo. Above all, this development should be understood as evidence that the security structures and institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are becoming stronger, while continuously taking on more duties to maintain order and security throughout the country.

KFOR’s role remains extraordinarily important for the stability of Kosovo and the region. However, the objective of every democratic state should be to enable its own institutions to fulfill their responsibilities efficiently. Therefore, the gradual transition from KFOR’s permanent presence to a more flexible engagement does not mean less security, but reflects a more stable situation and greater local capacity,” Halilaj stated.

The lawyer also highlighted the gradual inclusion of Kosovo Police in KFOR’s security architecture at Decani Monastery.

According to him, this process shows that the role of Kosovo Police and trust in the force have increased, particularly in areas where security issues have often been intertwined with political and ethnic tensions.

“The step-by-step integration of Kosovo Police into KFOR’s security architecture at Decani Monastery also carries considerable institutional significance. This change demonstrates that Kosovo Police are increasingly being recognized as a professional and important security institution in the Republic of Kosovo. This is particularly important in areas where security has often been used as a tool to fuel political and ethnic tensions,” he said.

Halilaj went on to emphasize that the latest developments also send Belgrade a clear message: the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are responsible for security in Kosovo.

He noted that institutional strengthening should not be perceived as an action directed against any community, but as a reinforcement of the state’s constitutional and institutional order.

“Belgrade must clearly understand the message that responsibility for security in Kosovo lies with the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo and that every step that strengthens them serves long-term stability. Such a process should not be interpreted as an action against any community, but as the consolidation of Kosovo’s constitutional and institutional structure.

This development should also serve as an argument for all political actors in Kosovo who oppose or downplay the strengthening of state institutions: building professional and functional institutions benefits every citizen, regardless of ethnic or political affiliation,” Halilaj emphasized.

Regarding the political impact, Halilaj said the Kosovo government could present this development as a political success. However, he stressed that the strengthening of security institutions should not be attributed solely to one government or one party.

In his assessment, security is a matter of state interest, and therefore any progress in this area should be considered an achievement of Kosovo’s institutions as a whole.

“For the Kosovo government, this process can naturally also be regarded as a political achievement, because increased confidence in local capacities and the strengthening of security institutions are beneficial developments for the state. However, it would not be right for an institutional process of this kind to be claimed solely by one government or political entity. The security of the Republic of Kosovo is a matter of state interest, while achievements in this sector should be credited to Kosovo’s institutions as a whole,” he said.

In conclusion, Halilaj also called on the opposition to approach the issue with a sense of responsibility toward the state. He said criticism of the government should not turn into opposition to processes that strengthen security institutions.

According to him, the interests of the state must be placed above party interests because parties and governments change, while state institutions remain.

“For this reason, the opposition must also approach this issue with a sense of responsibility toward the state. The government can be criticized over many issues, but the strengthening of Kosovo Police, improvements in security, and the expansion of the responsibilities of the Republic’s institutions should not be turned into an ordinary partisan clash.

Ultimately, governments change and parties come and go, but state institutions continue to exist. This is precisely a case in which the interests of the state must be placed above party interests,” Gazmend Halilaj concluded for “Bota sot.”

The post KFOR Begins Transferring Responsibility for Ibar Bridge and Decani Monastery to Kosovo Police, Halilaj Explains the Significance appeared first on Albeu.com.

Responsibility for security at the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica has begun to be transferred to the Kosovo Police, which is also taking on new duties in the area surrounding Deçan Monastery.

The handover is taking place as part of the gradual transition from KFOR’s permanent presence and the greater integration of the Kosovo Police into the security architecture. This process is being viewed as an important step toward consolidating local security institutions.

In an interview with “Bota sot,” lawyer Gazmend Halilaj discussed the political and institutional significance of this development, the signal it sends to Belgrade, and its potential impact on the domestic political debate in Kosovo.

Halilaj said the gradual transfer of responsibilities to Kosovo’s institutions does not mean a weakening of security or of the international role. According to him, it shows that the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have expanded their capabilities and are assuming greater responsibility.

He said KFOR’s decision to gradually adjust its permanent presence at the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica, following an improvement in the security situation, represents a particularly important development for Kosovo. In his view, this move demonstrates that the security structures and institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are growing stronger and assuming increasing responsibility for maintaining order and security throughout the country.

Halilaj stressed that KFOR continues to be of great importance to stability in Kosovo and the region. However, according to him, every democratic state should aim for its own institutions to effectively exercise the responsibilities that belong to them. For this reason, the transition from KFOR’s permanent presence to a more flexible role should not be understood as undermining security, but as an indication of a more stable situation and stronger local capabilities.

The lawyer also emphasized the importance of the gradual integration of the Kosovo Police into KFOR’s security architecture at Deçan Monastery.

According to him, this process shows that the role of the Kosovo Police is expanding and confidence in it is growing, especially in areas where security issues have often been intertwined with political and ethnic tensions.

Halilaj said the gradual integration of the Kosovo Police into KFOR’s security system at Deçan Monastery carries significant institutional weight. He said the police are increasingly being regarded as a professional and important security institution in the Republic of Kosovo, something that takes on particular significance in areas where security has often been used as a tool to fuel political and ethnic tensions.

Speaking about the message to Belgrade, Halilaj emphasized that recent developments make it clear that responsibility for security in Kosovo belongs to the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

He added that institutional strengthening should not be interpreted as an action against any community, but as a reinforcement of the country’s constitutional and institutional order.

According to Halilaj, Belgrade must clearly understand that every step strengthening the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo contributes to long-term stability. He reiterated that this process is not directed against any community, but is intended to consolidate Kosovo’s constitutional and institutional order.

He also said this development should serve as an argument for political actors within Kosovo who oppose or downplay the strengthening of state institutions. According to him, building professional and functional institutions is in the interest of all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or political affiliation.

As for its political impact, Halilaj said the Kosovo government could present the development as a political success. However, he emphasized that the strengthening of security institutions cannot be credited solely to one government or one party.

In his assessment, security is a matter of state interest, and progress in this sector should therefore be regarded as an achievement of Kosovo’s institutions as a whole.

Halilaj said the strengthening of security institutions and growing confidence in local capabilities are positive developments for the state, and the Kosovo government may therefore also view them as a political success. However, according to him, it would not be right for such an institutional process to be treated as the exclusive property of a political party or government, because the security of the Republic of Kosovo is a state interest and successes in this area belong to the country’s institutions as a whole.

In conclusion, Halilaj called on the opposition to approach this development with a sense of responsibility toward the state. He said criticism of the government should not turn into opposition to processes that strengthen security institutions.

He stressed that the state interest must be placed above party interests because governments and parties change, while state institutions remain.

According to Halilaj, the opposition may criticize the government on many issues, but the strengthening of the Kosovo Police, improvements in security, and the increased responsibilities of the Republic’s institutions should not be turned into a routine partisan dispute.

“Bota sot” concluded the interview with Gazmend Halilaj’s position that this is precisely a case in which the state interest must prevail over party interests, since governments change and parties come and go, while state institutions remain.

The post Kosovo Police Take on New Responsibilities at the Ibar Bridge and Deçan Monastery, Halilaj Explains the Significance of the Development appeared first on Albeu.com.

On Monday, a Kosovo Police vehicle was seen on the Ibar Bridge in Mitrovica.

The police vehicle’s presence comes after KFOR announced that it had begun the gradual process of transitioning its permanent presence away from the bridge. The mission linked the move to the improved security situation in Kosovo and the more efficient deployment of its forces.

Although it had previously been reported that the issue had been under discussion for a long time, the change has not been widely discussed publicly in recent months.

Following these developments, the German Embassy in Kosovo emphasized that Berlin remains committed to contributing to KFOR and implementing the mission’s mandate, which aims to ensure a safe and stable environment in Kosovo.

“Germany remains committed to its contribution to KFOR, as mandated by the Bundestag, as well as to KFOR’s mission to maintain a safe and stable environment for all people living in Kosovo,” the German Embassy said in a statement.

The post KFOR Begins Gradual Withdrawal from Ibar Bridge, Germany Reaffirms Commitment appeared first on Albeu.com.

The improved security situation in Kosovo has prompted KFOR to announce the gradual relocation of its permanent presence from the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica.

Alongside this process, the Kosovo Police have begun taking over security responsibilities at the main Ibar Bridge. Other responsibilities in the area surrounding the Deçan Monastery are also being gradually transferred to the police.

The development is considered a significant step toward strengthening the ability of Kosovo’s institutions to guarantee security throughout the country. At the same time, it is also seen as a political signal to Belgrade and to those who oppose the strengthening of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

Commenting on the issue for “Bota sot,” Albanian activist in the United States Agim Aliçkaj said KFOR’s announcement was extremely positive news for the state of Kosovo.

In his assessment, it demonstrates that Kosovo’s institutions are continuing their work and assuming an increasing number of responsibilities in the security sector.

Aliçkaj said the gradual transfer of oversight of the main Ibar Bridge and the step-by-step involvement of the Kosovo Police in securing the Deçan Monastery were very positive developments for Kosovo. According to him, although the formation of institutions has faced problems caused mainly by obstruction from the election losers, the state has not ceased to function. He added that, in such cases, many voices attempt to claim a major achievement for themselves, recalling the saying that success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan. Nevertheless, Aliçkaj stressed that most of the credit belongs to Prime Minister Kurti and the Kosovo Police.

Speaking about the significance of the Ibar Bridge, he described it as a key point for unifying Mitrovica and integrating the north into the functioning of the state of Kosovo.

According to Aliçkaj, bridges serve to bring people closer together, while the Ibar Bridge represents a symbol of the unification of Mitrovica and northern Kosovo, as well as of the country’s functioning as a strong and unified state throughout its internationally recognized territory. He said that after the risk of a confrontation with KFOR emerged over the main bridge across the Ibar, the Kosovo government made a strategic retreat. According to him, the executive made a measured and very wise decision to build new bridges over the Ibar River, a project that was completed quickly and professionally.

Aliçkaj said the new bridges had changed the significance of the main Ibar Bridge. Their operation, according to him, showed that traffic and links between the different parts of Mitrovica could function normally without posing a risk to the communities living in the north.

He said the construction of the new bridges diminished the importance of the KFOR-controlled bridge and, at the same time, demonstrated that their use is entirely normal and poses no threat to residents of northern Kosovo, including the Serb minority. On the contrary, according to Aliçkaj, they benefit everyone by making life easier for citizens regardless of ethnicity. He added that the Kosovo Police are increasingly demonstrating their organization, professionalism and ability to guarantee the security of the people of Kosovo. According to him, this significantly eases KFOR’s task, allowing it to reduce the number of troops assigned to internal security and focus them on protecting the borders of the state of Kosovo.

Regarding the Deçan Monastery, Aliçkaj said the gradual transfer of responsibilities to the Kosovo Police demonstrates growing international confidence in local institutions and their capacity to protect sites of cultural value.

He said that, historically, the Deçan Monastery has always been guarded and protected by Albanians because it constitutes a national treasure, although, according to him, it was forcibly and illegally appropriated by the Serbian Orthodox Church. Aliçkaj added that the Kosovo Police have earned the international community’s confidence in their ability to protect Kosovo’s cultural heritage.

Referring to the Serbian List’s objections to KFOR’s decisions, Aliçkaj said its reactions reflect opposition to the strengthening of Kosovo’s institutions. According to him, the development sends a clear message to Belgrade.

Aliçkaj said the Serbian List’s opposition to KFOR’s decisions was predictable. He described it as a hostile organization established and controlled by the Serbian regime with the aim of destroying Kosovo. According to him, Belgrade must clearly understand that its dreams of reoccupying Kosovo cannot be realized. He added that it would be better for the Serb minority to break away from the Serbian List and Serbia as soon as possible, accept the state of Kosovo and place itself at its service.

The issue is also expected to feature in the domestic political debate, particularly in relation to the opposition and its approach to the achievements of Kosovo’s institutions. In Aliçkaj’s assessment, clashes between the parties should not undermine the functioning of the state.

He accused the Kosovo opposition of continuing to boycott the state, as well as disregarding and denying this achievement and every other result achieved by Prime Minister Kurti and his coalition. Aliçkaj said Kurti won the votes of citizens to govern for a third term. According to him, instead of implementing the will of the people, enabling normal governance and voting for a nonpartisan, consensus president, the opposition is continuing the same destructive actions, which citizens understand and punish. He added that it would be in the interests of the opposition leaders and the Republic of Kosovo for them to distance themselves as soon as possible from Rama, Grenell, the oligarchs and the press that, according to him, has sold itself to Kosovo’s enemies.

In conclusion, Aliçkaj emphasized that the security developments should be assessed beyond party interests and as part of the process of consolidating the state of Kosovo.

He concluded his statement to “Bota sot” by saying that citizens’ votes cannot be won without a genuine and positive program for governing. According to Aliçkaj, the state must not be harmed in the hope that doing so will weaken a political rival, because without a state there can be no political parties.

The post KFOR Begins Gradual Withdrawal from Ibar Bridge, Aliçkaj Warns Belgrade: Kurti and Kosovo Police Deserve Most of the Credit appeared first on Albeu.com.