The acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has stated that Kosovo institutions are in constant communication with the NATO Mission in Kosovo, KFOR, regarding the issue of opening the main bridge over the Ibar River in Mitrovica to vehicle traffic.
During a media conference, where a social housing project was presented, Kurti announced that he would hold a meeting with the KFOR commander, Major General Ozkan Ulutas, where the issue of the Ibar Bridge is also expected to be discussed.
"For taking control of the bridge, we are in communication with KFOR. This afternoon I have a meeting with Ulutas at the Prime Minister's Office. So, we are in daily communication, both the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Interior," Kurti declared.
The acting head of government said that, after the construction of new bridges over the Ibar, there is no longer any reason for the main bridge to continue to be closed to vehicles.
"After the construction of the new bridges, it has become absurd to keep that bridge closed. The fact that citizens have freely circulated across these new bridges and there has been no increase in either incidents or tensions shows that the movement of people and goods is beneficial not only for the economy, but also for peace and security," Kurti stressed.
Kurti's statements come a few days after KFOR announced that it has begun the gradual withdrawal of its permanent presence on the Ibar Bridge in Mitrovica. According to the NATO mission, this process is taking place in line with the improvement of the security situation in Kosovo and is part of the optimization of the positioning of KFOR forces.
