Kurti: Everything we do is for the benefit of citizens, we haven’t given up on opening the main bridge on the Ibar

The acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, laid the foundation stone today for two new bridges on the Ibar River, stating that they are intended to serve all citizens and that the authorities in Pristina have not given up on opening the main bridge on the Ibar as well.

"Everything we do is legal, legitimate, and for the benefit of all citizens. We want more communication and circulation, more exchange and cooperation between these two municipalities. Here with me is the president of the northern municipality, as well as the vice-president of the southern municipality. The bridges are not against anyone; they are for all citizens—Albanians, Serbs, Bosniaks, Roma, and others. So rest assured that with two more bridges on the Ibar River, things will only improve," said Kurti.

He added that the authorities in Pristina have not abandoned their intention to open the main bridge on the Ibar.

"We haven’t given up on opening the main bridge—you know that Italian Carabinieri are stationed there, but the time for that will come as well. In the meantime, we are building two more bridges—one will be for both pedestrians and vehicles, and the other will be for pedestrians only. This one here, where we laid the foundation stone today, is being built together with other members of our government and those responsible for infrastructure development and citizen welfare. I repeat once again: regardless of ethnicity or religion," Kurti emphasized.

Asked whether the construction of the new bridges poses a security risk, Kurti said that anyone who has doubts or concerns about the work or intentions of the Kosovo authorities will be able to speak directly with the responsible officials.

"We will patiently respond to all such remarks. These two bridges will be built, and I believe that governments that build bridges are governments that deserve support. In that sense, we also expect the support of the European Union," Kurti concluded.

According to the contract award notice published by the Ministry of Infrastructure on the official public procurement website, the cost of the project is nearly three million euros.
The contract was awarded through a negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice, in which negotiations were conducted with five companies.