Prishtina, 2 August, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the First Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, met today the Ambassador of the United States of America, Jeffrey Hovenier, the Ambassador of France, Olivier Guérot, the Ambassador of of Italy, Antonello De Riu, the Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, Tomáš Szunyog, the deputy ambassador of the United Kingdom, Paul O’Connor and the deputy ambassador of Germany, Matthias Conrad.
They discussed developments in the country and current topics. The Prime Minister informed them of the results of employment and welfare measures and policies in the four municipalities with a Serbian majority in the north of the country, specifically with the “Government for Families” measure, within which the employment of 231 people has been mediated and supported so far. these municipalities. Meanwhile, the interest of citizens from the ranks of the non-Serb majority community to be equipped with the documents of the Republic of Kosovo has increased in the last quarter of last year and especially in the first six months of this year, as evidence of the will and interest theirs for sustainable integration.
This meeting today took place exactly 8 years after the discussions that were held on August 2, 2016 in Brussels regarding the implementation of the Mitrovica Bridge Agreement within the dialogue in Brussels, which was then followed by the European Union Plan for the opening of the bridge of Mitrovica for pedestrians and vehicles in both directions. Prime Minister Kurti presented to the diplomatic representatives of the QUINT and EU countries the Government’s plan for the opening of the Mitrovica bridge over the Iber River. The plan foresees tests for the infrastructural stability of the bridge, assessment of risk and risks from natural disasters, visual revitalization of the bridge with access to the bridge for all, discussions with citizens and interest groups as well as a comprehensive information campaign on the benefits and goals of opening the bridge. bridge.
Consultations and coordination continue. As stated in the European Union’s plan for the revitalization of the bridge, the Mitrovica bridge over the Iber will become a symbol of the normalization of relations in Kosovo. In the same plan it is stated that “its revitalization will greatly contribute to facilitating contacts between all citizens of North and South Mitrovica and thus will contribute to exchanges and understanding”. So, the bridge must be opened. It is in the service of all, and is against no one. Freedom of movement and the rule of law do not endanger peace and security, on the contrary.
The bridge is a symbol of free movement, which is a fundamental value and freedom of the European Union. The bridge is a symbol of integration, which is the joint work of Kosovo with our partners.
The government is for both free movement and integration of citizens.
Last modified: August 5, 2024