Minister for Communities and Return in Kosovo Government Dalibor Jevtic said that in the period from January till June 2014 returned 108 returnees. In next twenty days, the houses for 177 IDPs will be finished and as soon they return the total number will be 285 returnees.
He cited several obstacles for a large-scale return of displaced persons, noting that institutional cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina is required. “The real obstacle is the issue of usurped property and the lack of solving these cases within the judicial bodies and institutions dealing with the judiciary. There is also an economic aspect that influences people’s decision to return to Kosovo. There are sporadic problems related to security, especially in Metohija part, but fortunately they are not so severe,” said Jevtic.
Talking about the problem in Brdjani, in the northern part of Mitrovica, where the Serbs claim that Albanians who want to return have never lived there, Jevtic said that raising the tension does not suit anyone and that all solutions that will contribute to the normalization of relations between the communities should be found.
“In this direction the negotiating table is the only place to discuss and talk about this and similar issues, and so find a solution that will be acceptable to both parties,” said Jevtic. He noted that mayors of the northern and southern part of Mitrovica, with the help of Belgrade and Pristina, should sit at the negotiating table and start talks. “This process should be transparent instead of having diverse interpretations from both sides, while the citizens who live there suffer the damage,” said Jevtic.
