09 June
On 09 June 2024, the news agency KosovaPress published an interview with the Head of Mission of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Giovanni Pietro Barbano. The main focus was the security situation in northern Kosovo.
Barbano confirmed that the general security situation in northern Kosovo is calm but fragile: “Particularly in the north we have concerns about the continuous occurrence of crisis and possible reasons for tensions,” he pointed out.
In particular, quoting the strong call of EU High Representative and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell to break the vicious cycle of crises and tensions, Barbano, enhanced the imperative need to engage and move forward on the dialogue.
Barbano drew also attention to the violent events that happened in Banjska/Banjskë on 24 September 2023, noting that they proved the fragility and the vulnerability of the area, which therefore requires particular attention.
“The perpetrators of the Banjska/Banjskë attack must be subject to justice,” clearly stated Barbano, also highlighting the necessity of increasing awareness and vigilance from all security actors to prevent similar events in the future, confirming the steadfast commitment of EULEX in this regard.
Requested to comment about the possible initiative to open the bridge in Mitrovica, Barbano confirmed that: “This is something we are concerned about, because it could have serious implications for security.”
When asked to assess the Serbian community’s boycott of the last elections in the four northern municipalities, he highlighted that EULEX regrets the missing opportunity of Kosovo Serbs citizens to exercise their rights in recalling the mayors”.
English summary of the interview available at: EULEX's concerns: The opening of the Bridge could have serious security implications • KosovaPress
Full interview in English with subtitles in Albanian at:
