Vujinovic: The opening of the new bridge is part of Kurti’s political campaign against Serbs

Security studies researcher Nikola Vujinovic told Kosovo Online that the construction of the new bridge in Mitrovica is a continuation of Albin Kurti’s policy directed against the Serbian community.

“This is just a continuation of Albin Kurti’s policy toward northern Kosovo and toward the Serbian community in general. It is an attempt to turn the symbol of the bridge in Kosovska Mitrovica into something ordinary, because the closed bridge, whose reopening the European Union insists against, has become a symbol of the Serbs’ resistance to that Albanian state. This is just one in a series of such moves—we have seen murals painted over, private property seized, arrests without basis. All of it is part of Albin Kurti’s political campaign against the Serbian community,” Vujinovic said.

He emphasized that he also sees a tactical element in all of this ahead of the continuation of negotiations.

“I would add one more thing—I see all of this as preparation for the upcoming talks, because in this way he will create space to avoid dealing with the Community of Serb Municipalities, and instead shift the focus to things like ‘we will close the bridge’ or ‘we will allow the murals to be repainted.’ In that way, the EU will claim that he has made some concessions. We are in a hostile environment that constantly pressures the Serbs, and for Albin Kurti and the Albanian community this amounts to victory on all fronts. On the one hand, they force the Serbian community to leave—a silent exodus that is still ongoing—and on the other hand, they present themselves to their so-called sponsors as being compliant. We can note that this entire issue of the bridge arose despite the EU’s opposition. We can see how much importance Albin Kurti attaches to it.”

Vujinovic argued that the opening of the new bridge increases security challenges for the Serbs in the north.

“It is certainly a greater security problem than it was before the bridge was opened, because now you have an additional passageway—mechanized police units or KSF forces can cross into northern Mitrovica. The fact is that Serbs were always prepared to gather and defend themselves around the closed bridge. This is now a new reality, and we will see how the Serbian community responds. In any case, I believe there is no need for fear or excessive worry. Just as we prepared for everything else, we will prepare for this as well—with patience and the belief that in the end there will be something like an agreement,” Vujinovic concluded.