Serbia sends letter of protest to the EU

“At the same time, the current security situation, particularly in northern Kosovo and Metohija, indicates that opening the bridge at this time would not be safe and would further increase the sense of insecurity among the Serbian population,” Petković stressed.

He recalled that the area around the main bridge over the Ibar had for decades been one of the most sensitive security points due to numerous attacks on Serbs in Kosovska Mitrovica and throughout Kosovo and Metohija.

He also pointed out that additional concern stems from the fact that members of the Kosovo Police themselves have been reported as perpetrators of ethnically motivated attacks, with cases documented involving allegations of brutal treatment and the covering up of attacks against Serbs. 

He also stressed that, as the facilitator of the Dialogue and guarantor of the implementation of agreements reached through the Dialogue, the EU is responsible for maintaining a neutral approach and creating conditions in which outstanding issues can be resolved through agreement between the parties.

“A decision to open the bridge can only be made after all previously undertaken obligations under the Dialogue have been fully fulfilled and a credible and sustainable security assessment has been carried out, ensuring that such a step will not endanger the security of the Serbian population, increase existing tensions or trigger a new crisis in northern Kosovo and Metohija,” Petković concluded.