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BRUSSELS – The European Union plans to put the “bridge status” on the Ibar in Kosovska Mitrovica on the agenda of the next meeting within the framework of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, said European Commission spokesperson Nabila Masrali. In a briefing with reporters in Brussels, when asked by Tanjug whether and when the EU plans a new meeting within the framework of the dialogue and whether the bridge on the Ibar would be discussed at it, she emphasized that the issue of the bridge is part of the dialogue, despite the Pristina government’s contrary actions.
“This is part of the dialogue issue, despite the fact that the Government of Kosovo is acting contrary. The EU plans to put the status of the bridge on the agenda of the next meeting within the framework of the dialogue,” Masrali said. She added that it would be announced in due time when the new round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will be held.
The main bridge on the Ibar divides Kosovska Mitrovica into the southern part of the city, where Albanians live, and the northern part, where 95 percent of the population are Serbs. Albanians have repeatedly tried to cross this bridge to enter the northern part of the city where Serbs live, leading to clashes, and the bridge is continuously guarded by Italian Carabinieri from the KFOR contingent. Authorities in Pristina are announcing its opening, which has been strongly opposed by the EU, OSCE, EULEX, KFOR, and the USA, stating that this issue must be part of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina with EU mediation. (August 13)