Stano on Osmani's claim that his statements are racist: It's in Kosovo's interest to listen to friends and allies

We really have nothing new to say on the topic of the re-opening of the bridge, nor on all the random comments you are referring to, EU Spokesperson Peter Stano said to Kosovo Online when asked to comment on the statement by Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani, who called his previous statements about the bridge "racist."

Stano further elaborated in his response:

"I can only recall for all those who have a problem with listening and understanding that all the friends and allies of Kosovo (EU, US, NATO, UK…) have said very clearly and unequivocally that it is in the interest of Kosovo to listen to friends and allies, otherwise, one runs the risk to be left alone and left behind. I can also repeat what we advised Pristina a number of times: Good governance means to reach out to and engage with communities, which are affected by specific decisions. To deal with the issue of the bridge within the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue means to discuss the modalities of the implementation of the agreements reached about the bridge, not new agreements. One should really listen and try to understand the unanimous, well-meant advice of all the friends and allies," Stano said in his response to Kosovo Online.

To remind, Osmani stated that Serbia has no say in the opening of the main bridge over the Ibar River, adding "just as Stano doesn't ask his neighboring countries for permission when crossing bridges in his own country," and she called his statements racist.

"As far as the European Union is concerned, the statements of its spokesperson are primarily racist, so I don't believe they deserve much attention from me. There is no reason for their racist statements, and I oppose the discussion about opening the Ibar Bridge in Brussels. Dialogue with Serbia on this issue should not be accepted by anyone, it would be against Kosovo's constitution and sovereignty, but dialogue with our rescuers is not only necessary but also in our best interest," Osmani said.