Mitrovica mayor Agim Bahtiri, in an interview for Indeksonline, said he had promised that barricades in Mitrovica would be removed and that this was done for the good of all communities and for their freedom of movement.

“Ever since my arrival in Mitrovica, my only goal was to remove the barricades. I made this promise when I ran for mayor of Mitrovica. This is in the interest of all citizens,” Bahtiri said. “I promised there would be a peaceful environment and without tensions. Some people were afraid there would be protests, but this did not happen and it will not happen in the future.”

Bahtiri also said, “barricades were removed so that all Albanians can return to their homes; people need to have freedom of movement. My goal is to work together in the future, to open jobs for all communities, both in the north and south.”