Simic: Petition against the bridges is an appeal to international representatives to take action

Member of the Presidency of the Serb List, Igor Simic, stated today that the petition against the construction of two bridges over the Ibar River is a message and an appeal to international representatives to finally take active steps to protect all citizens in Kosovo, adding that its goal is to preserve peace and stability on the ground, RTV reports.

“The aim of the petition is to express the clear stance of the Serbian people regarding Kurti’s bridges on the Ibar River, which he plans to build in the coming period, all with the intent to exert further pressure on the Serbian population. The petition will be submitted to international representatives responsible for peace and security in Kosovo and Metohija, especially those with a mandate concerning the main bridge on the Ibar and the surrounding area where two new bridges are now being built—bridges that represent two new potential flashpoints for conflict between Serbs and Albanians,” Simic told Tanjug.

Simic emphasized that peace and stability on the ground run counter to the interests of Albin Kurti, who, he said, is doing everything to further escalate the situation and pressure the Serbian people.

He reminded that in the immediate vicinity of the existing pedestrian bridge over the Ibar, there are already three bridges used by both vehicles and pedestrians.

“Four bridges within just 400 meters are more than enough for a city of this size. This is a political maneuver by Kurti—on the one hand, to pressure the Serbian people, and on the other, to launch a campaign for the upcoming local elections in Kosovo and Metohija, scheduled for October 12,” Simic said.

He stressed that the petition sends a clear message that neither Serbian political representatives nor the Serbian people were consulted in any way when the decision to build these bridges was made.

“This is also, in a way, a slap in the face to international representatives responsible for security—those who, for valid reasons, have until today prevented normal traffic from being restored on the main bridge, fully aware of Kurti’s desire to provoke and further destabilize the situation,” Simic added.

He recalled that more than 900 different types of interethnic incidents have occurred since 1999 on the main city bridge, near which Kurti now plans to construct two new bridges. These incidents, he said, were usually initiated from the southern, Albanian side of the city.

“That is a place where dozens and hundreds of Serbs have been killed or injured simply for defending their homes. A place where the international community has failed, but where the Serbs decided to remain and persevere—to live in Kosovo and Metohija—and through their will, struggle, and sacrifice, preserved the multiethnic character of the region and the only truly multiethnic urban area, which is the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica,” Simic pointed out.

He added that, based on such experience, the fears of all the citizens signing the petition are justified—that opening new bridges would only lead to more incidents and an intensification of extremist attacks from the south to the north.

Simic said that in just seven or eight hours over the past two days, more than 1,000 signatures have been collected.

“The municipality of North Mitrovica is headed by an illegal and illegitimate mayor who, in the last election, won far fewer votes than the number of citizens who signed the petition in the last two days. The petition can also be signed tomorrow in front of the Serb List offices in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica from 8:00 to 12:00, after which it will be sent to international representatives primarily responsible for peace and security,” said Simic.

He stated that the petition will not be submitted to Pristina institutions, because the Serbian people absolutely do not trust them and do not regard them as legal or legitimate—especially considering all that those institutions have done to the Serbian people in recent years.

“Citizens are disappointed with the passivity of the international community, not just regarding the bridge, but also in relation to many other actions that have harmed the Serbian people—from the dinar ban, to the closure of Serbian institutional offices, and the prevention of normal life in the area, including the seizure of cultural, sports, and youth institutions. That’s why citizens are signing the petition—to awaken the international community from its inertia and make it clear that what is currently being done on the Ibar River is neither the will nor the need of the majority population in northern Kosovo and Metohija, where over 90% of residents are Serbs,” said Simic.

He emphasized that the petition is a message and appeal to international representatives to take real action—not just issue statements.

“We demand an end to actions aimed at marginalizing the Serbian people, which are part of a broader campaign of institutional violence being carried out against our people, particularly over the past three years. Citizens are determined to stay, but also to defend their democratic right to a normal life in this region. In this sense, we expect an adequate response from the international representatives to this appeal,” said Simic.

He stated that, at today’s meeting between the Serb List delegation and UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča and UNMIK colleagues, all these issues were discussed, including the issue of building new bridges.

Simic stressed that the Serb List demanded more decisive action from all international representatives, as well as a clear message from the UN regarding actions that violate the fundamental human rights of the Serbian people.

“We are calling for a more active role from UNMIK, even though we are aware that their personnel and resources are being reduced year by year. We still expect them to intensify their engagement,” Simic said.

He added that representatives of the Serb List were met with an understanding of their views and also noted the willingness of the UNMIK mission and the UN in general to monitor everything happening on the ground in Kosovo.

“We are not expecting a pro-Serbian stance—we are expecting an objective one regarding the problems of the Serbian people. And I believe that will be enough for the world to learn how Serbs live on European soil in the 21st century. I believe many would be ashamed of what the Serbs have to go through while they remain silent,” Simic concluded.