The International Community is expressing clear concern that the situation in Kosovo could escalate due to actions taken by the Kosovo government, which they insist should first be agreed upon through negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina.
NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, Kosovo Force (KFOR). has strengthened its presence on the main bridge over the Ibar River, which separates the predominantly Albanian southern Mitrovica from the predominantly Serbian northern part.
KFOR has not provided a detailed explanation for the increased presence on the bridge. An Italian soldier from the mission said that they were there for “routine operations” and that they “do not expect anything special.” However, the increased presence comes a day after Kosovo authorities shut down five parallel Serbian institutions in northern Kosovo, following pressure on the Kosovo government not to open the Ibar bridge.
These moves have sparked strong reactions among politicians, the local population, and the international community. The larger foreign military presence on the bridge, which divides Albanians and Serbs in Mitrovica, is likely aimed at maintaining peace and preventing potential incidents.
The United States (U.S.) embassy in Kosovo sent a message to Prime Minister Albin Kurti, warning that such actions damage the partnership with the U.S. and undermine the reputation of Kosovo. They emphasized that the Kosovo government should not have closed the parallel institutions that the Serbs in that area rely on.
“Issues concerning Serbia-supported structures in Kosovo should be addressed through dialogue under the European Union’s (EU) auspices. This action was not coordinated with any element of the international community. The Kosovo government’s failure to respond to these requests reflects a real and growing deterioration in our partnership. As we have previously noted, the Kosovo government’s uncoordinated actions place Kosovo citizens and KFOR soldiers at greater risk, unnecessarily increase regional tensions, and undermine Kosovo’s reputation as a reliable international partner,” the statement read.
In recent months, Kosovo has shut down numerous institutions supported by Serbia. Following the cancellation of the Serbian Dinar and Serbian driver’s licenses, the re-registration of vehicles from KM to RKS, and the ban on the import of Serbian goods, Kosovo closed Serbian Post offices and other financial institutions a month ago. In all four municipalities in the north, buildings housing Serbian institutions, primarily municipal services, were shut down, as well as other related services. Two days ago, premises believed to have housed relocated municipal services in recent months were also closed.
In addition to the U.S., the EU has also repeatedly warned that such actions by the Kosovo government jeopardize people’s security and expressed disappointment that Kosovo authorities are ignoring this.
“The EU is disappointed by the continued lack of coordination with Kosovo’s security institutions and international partners… Serbian-backed offices are supposed to be addressed within the EU-led dialogue,” they stated.
Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani argues that the EU is biased in favor of Serbia, to Kosovo’s detriment, and believes that Serbia has already violated the agreement that the EU demands Kosovo to respect.
“Serbia continually strengthens illegal structures, turning them into mafia-like organizations that endanger Serbs in Kosovo. These are criminal groups funded by Serbia, and after incidents, like in September last year, Serbia provides them shelter and hides them… If there is no balance, no one should dream of implementing results. If one side withdraws from the agreement, then the other side has no obligations,” said Osmani, claiming that Serbia was the first to breach the agreement.
Namely, Kosovo authorities had previously planned to open the Ibar bridge, where KFOR’s presence has now increased. However, following multiple warnings from the international community that such a move could lead to conflict between the two communities, they postponed the opening, leaving the issue for the upcoming negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo.
Many believe that the closure of Serbian institutions is Kosovo’s response to pressure from the U.S. and EU, which led to the decision not to open the bridge. The bridge, along with the closure of Serbian institutions, will be a focal point in the next round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, though the date for these talks has yet to be announced.
