The Mayor of Mitrovica North Goran Rakic explained that the decision to remove the barricade in northern part of the town was disturbing for many, while for some it was unexpected, however he believes that for the most of citizens it is a good decision which leads toward the reinstating of trust between Serbs and Albanians.
Rakic voiced expectation that Albanian side, but international community as well, will now how to value the motion of Serbian side which ‘extended its hand to their neighbors, Albanians’ and added that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija don’t want to live in fear any more, instead they want to live like all other normal world.
Minister for Communities and Return in the Kosovo government Dalibor Jevtic said that ‘we don’t need barricades’. “We need freedom of movement and all that presents the normal life” said Jevtic and hailed the decision of the local self-government in Mitrovica North.
Analysts in Pristina today reacted positively on removal of the barricade. The director of the Center for Balkan Studies Fadil Lepaja said that it presents a step toward the return of the faith that we could go to Europe together. Political analysts Fatmir Sheholli said that he understands it as a victory of progressive and pro-European forces on both sides.
