Municipality of North Mitrovica: The aim of Kurti’s visit is to impose the will of central institutions where they lack legitimacy

The Municipality of North Mitrovica announced that the purpose of today’s visit by Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to the municipality is more than clear—namely, the imposition of the will of central institutions in a place where they lack legitimacy. It was also noted that his visit was unannounced and not coordinated with representatives of the local self-government.

“Today’s visit by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, accompanied by several ministers and the Mayor of South Mitrovica, was unannounced and uncoordinated with the legal and legitimate representatives of the Municipality of North Mitrovica. The aim of the visit is more than clear—to impose the will of central institutions where no such legitimacy exists, and contrary to the will of the majority of citizens,” the statement of the Municipality reads.

It is emphasized that the will of the majority of citizens has been clearly expressed in local and parliamentary elections.

“All visits were also attended by the Mayor of South Mitrovica, who has neither legitimacy nor legal authority on the territory of our municipality,” the statement adds.

For this reason, they are calling for a reaction from representatives of the international community in order, as they warn, to prevent the dissolution of the Municipality of North Mitrovica.

“We once again call on representatives of the international community to react in order to prevent unilateral actions that have a clear objective—the dissolution of the Municipality of North Mitrovica and the disregard of the will of the majority of citizens expressed democratically in elections. Such actions by central institutions do not create conditions for reconciliation among communities; on the contrary, they deepen mistrust,” the statement concludes.

In North Mitrovica, an office of the Kosovo Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development was opened this morning in the presence of Prime Minister Albin Kurti, but once again without the participation of Mayor Milan Radojevic. In addition to Kurti, the opening was attended by the line minister Armend Muja, as well as ministers Xhelal Sveçla and Elbert Krasniqi, and the Mayor of South Mitrovica, Faton Peci.

When asked by Serbian-language media why Mayor Milan Radojevic was not present, Kurti replied: “You should know that everyone should care more about ordinary citizens.”

The Ministry of Agriculture office was opened in a facility that previously housed the Serbian Post, which was closed on 22 November 2024.

Kurti had also visited North Mitrovica on 8 April, when, responding to a question as to whether he had invited Mayor Milan Radojevic during that visit, he stated that “there will be an opportunity.”