Kosovska Mitrovica: Two new bridges over the Ibar

Pokret Samoopredeljenje Aljbina Kurti published an illustration of two new bridges in Kosovska Mitrovica – left and right of the central one Mosta across the Ibar, which has been closed to traffic for years for political reasons, reports KoSSev. The Albanians tried on several occasions to have this bridge completely open, but they met with the rejection of the international community.

Just a few days after the municipalities North i South Mitrovica formed a Joint Committee, the first inter-municipal memorandum was signed - the construction of two new bridges over the Ibar River.

The document was signed by the mayor from the north, Erden Atić, the deputy mayor from the south, Arijanit Tahiri, and the Kosovo Minister for Infrastructure in the technical mandate, Ljiburn Aljiju.

No one formally asks the Serbs because they boycotted the last local elections according to the directive from Belgrade.

"We started the memorandum by signing a joint project for the construction of two new bridges over the Ibar River, projects that will facilitate the movement of citizens of both municipalities and serve as an infrastructure for communication and cooperation between citizens, strengthening social integration and economic development on both sides," he told Alji.

This initiative was wholeheartedly welcomed by Prime Minister in technical mandate Aljbin Kurti and Minister of Internal Affairs, also in technical mandate, Dzheljalj Svečlja, while marathon negotiations on the formation of a new government are underway after the parliamentary elections held on February 9.

Semi-official, semi-unofficial

Kurti's Self-Determination has released an illustration of what the two new bridges should look like and where they should be built, which all look pretty crazy.

 On the other hand, portals in the Albanian language and pages on social networks publish statements about where these bridges will supposedly be built.

"Jepi ze" claims that one of these bridges will be built near Three Solitaires, and the other near the North Mitrovica Municipality.

"Mitropol", which published the same allegations after the announcement of Self-determination, accuses this party of deceiving citizens with its photo, that is, a sketch of these bridges.

However, with the exception of the still-ruling party, there is still no official information on the construction plan for the announced bridges.

What will happen to the main bridge?

For years, the central bridge over the Ibro symbolized the division between the northern, predominantly Serbian, and the southern, predominantly Albanian part of the city.

The authorities in Pristina have repeatedly launched initiatives for the complete opening of the bridge, stating the need for freedom of movement and normalization of life in the city.

The topic of opening the bridge was brought up for the last time by the current municipal leadership, which came to power after the Serbs left the Kosovo institutions, as well as the local self-government, at the end of 2022. They were especially persistent in this in the summer of last year, when renovation of the surface on the bridge itself and around it was carried out, as well as a check of technical durability.

The initiative was supported by Kurti's government (now in technical mandate), whose officials frequently announced the opening of the bridge during the summer of last year, and even tested the durability of the bridge and carried out surface works with the aim of rehabilitating the structure.

However, the bridge was not opened at that time, and in the meantime there was a lull, and this topic was talked about less and less.

Serbian authorities against the opening of the bridge

Unlike the current leadership of North Mitrovica and Pristina, the authorities in Belgrade and local Serbs are firmly opposed to the opening of the bridge.

Last year's announcements also met with numerous reactions from international actors, among which the most direct was KFOR, whose members are stationed 24 hours a day on this bridge.

This NATO mission said then that it would continue to guarantee security and freedom of movement, but also rejected the possibility of unilateral moves, pointing to the need for coordination in accordance with earlier agreements reached within the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina with the mediation of the EU.

Official Belgrade also insists on talks as part of the dialogue, but Pristina opposes it, claiming that it is an internal issue.

By the way, the southern and northern parts of the city are connected by a total of five bridges.

Source: KoSSev