TIRANA, August 12 – NATO’s mission in Kosova, KFOR, met Serbian List President Zlatan Elek on Tuesday. The meeting followed the party’s opposition to a gradual reduction of KFOR’s presence on the main bridge over the Ibër River in Mitrovica.
Elek requested the meeting at KFOR headquarters in Film City Camp in Prishtina. Serbian List Deputy President Igor Simic, the party’s MP in the Kosova Assembly Jovana Radosavljec and North Mitrovica Mayor Milan Radojevic also attended. Meanwhile, KFOR said the sides discussed several issues. These included the security situation in northern Kosova and the announced process to optimise KFOR’s positioning.
KFOR commander Major General Ozkan Ulutash told Serbian List representatives that the optimisation process follows an improvement in the security situation in Kosova. He said the process would proceed gradually. The mission will base each step on conditions on the ground. At the same time, KFOR may return troops if future developments affect lasting security in Kosova and regional stability. The mission said it will remain equipped and positioned to respond to relevant developments.
KFOR described the gradual transition of its presence from the main bridge in Mitrovica as being in its initial phase. The mission also said it will maintain a strong presence in North Mitrovica and northern Kosova after the process ends.
Earlier, Serbian List opposed the announcement of a gradual reduction in KFOR’s presence on the bridge over the Ibër River. The party called for the measure to stop. It also requested an urgent meeting with the KFOR commander to convey concerns from the Serbian community in the north. Serbian List argued that authorities should handle any change in the security presence carefully because of the political and security situation and past tensions around the bridge. The party also said Serbs in the north do not trust the Kosova Police. It described KFOR’s presence on the bridge as an important stabilising factor.
The main bridge over the Ibër River connects predominantly Albanian South Mitrovica with predominantly Serbian North Mitrovica. KFOR troops have guarded the bridge since the end of the 1999 war. For years, the bridge has remained one of the most sensitive security points in northern Kosova. The bridge currently allows only pedestrian traffic.
Finally, NATO’s mission said it continues to fulfil its mandate under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. KFOR contributes to maintaining a safe environment and freedom of movement for everyone in Kosova. The mission said it will continue to operate impartially. It will also coordinate with the Kosova Police and EULEX in line with their respective security roles.
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