Rohde: We support the EU's position that Kosovo authorities should refrain from building two new bridges over the Ibar

German Ambassador to Kosovo Jorn Rohde stated that he supports the European Union’s position urging Kosovo authorities to refrain from building two new bridges over the Ibar River, Gazeta Express reports.

In response to caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s plans to lay foundation stones for two new bridges over the Ibar, the German Embassy in Pristina conveyed a clear message to Kosovo authorities to reconsider these intentions.

“We fully support the European Union’s call for Kosovo authorities to refrain from constructing two new crossings over the Ibar River in Mitrovica. Instead of uncoordinated and potentially escalatory steps such as building additional bridges, the focus should be on addressing much more urgent challenges,” the embassy said in a statement to Gazeta Express.

The embassy suggested that the Government of Kosovo should redirect limited public resources toward areas that directly improve citizens’ lives, such as: introducing universal health insurance—which would improve access to healthcare and protect families from high medical costs; increasing investment in education—to better prepare youth for the labor market; and strengthening social protection—to enhance social cohesion and shield families from economic shocks.

“Such a shift would bring tangible improvements to citizens' daily lives, strengthen stability, and pave the way for sustainable prosperity,” the embassy emphasized, adding that Germany remains ready to support Kosovo in achieving these goals.

Kosovo's caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti is planning to travel from Skopje to Mitrovica today to lay the foundation stones for the construction of two new bridges over the Ibar, parallel to the main bridge that connects the northern and southern parts of the city.

Kurti is pushing ahead with this initiative despite the EU’s appeals to refrain from unilateral actions.