EU Commission warns Kosovo for more punitive measures

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - The EU Commission warned Kosovo on Thursday that more punitive measures could be imposed because of the government's recent steps that raised tension in the country.

"We hope that they will finally hear our message and stop us from thinking about what measures to take if the situation does not change," said spokesperson Peter Stano.

Stano answered questions at a news conference about Kosovo’s attempt to open the main bridge above the Iber River in Mitrovica, which separates the Albanian and Serbian areas of the city, to vehicle traffic; and the closure of nine branches of the Serbian Post Office in the north.

"Over the past few days, we have communicated our position to our counterparts in Kosovo very clearly, on many levels, in many ways and through many partners. Not only the EU but basically all of Kosovo’s international partners are telling the Pristina administration not to take these negative, unilateral and uncoordinated steps," said Stano.

He added that instead of taking steps that would reduce tensions, more and more unilateral steps are being taken that will escalate tensions.

A series of steps by the government have raised tensions, including making the euro the only legal currency in Kosovo, effectively outlawing the use of the Serbian dinar.

Nine branches of the Serbian Post Office, or Posta Srbije, which operates in northern Kosovo, were closed in an operation carried out by the country’s institutions on Aug. 5.

- Bridge divides public in Kosovo

Although it has been 25 years since the end of the war in Kosovo and 16 since the declaration of independence, Mitrovica, with Albanians in the south and Serbs in the north, remains a "divided city."

The main bridge above the Ibar River, which divides the city into south and north, has been closed to vehicle traffic since 1999 and only pedestrians can cross.

The bridge was often a place of conflict between Serbs and Albanians.

Kosovo wants the bridge opened to allow free movement between the majority-Serb north and ethnic Albanian areas in Mitrovica, which is divided into a northern and southern municipality.

The bridge is under the control of NATO's peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (KFOR) with a permanent troop presence and patrols in the area around the bridge.

Italian KFOR patrols with several vehicles are constantly stationed on the north side of the bridge, while Kosovo police patrol the south side.

KFOR warned Tuesday that it would respond to any possible deterioration of the security situation at the bridge.

About 600 Serbs protested Wednesday in North Mitrovica against Kosovo’s announcement that it would open the main bridge to traffic, saying they do not feel safe.

KFOR reiterated its position that all decisions on the opening of the main bridge in Mitrovica must be made through dialogue in Brussels.

The municipality of North Mitrovica held a public meeting Thursday to discuss the situation with citizens, civil society activists and local media representatives and inform the public about the advantages of opening the bridge, so representatives of Kosovo institutions would respond to their concerns.