The Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, namely its public information office, issued a press release today about the result of talks between delegations from Pristina and Belgrade in Brussels on the issue of barricades in Mitrovica. During the meeting, EU representative Fernando Gentilini confirmed the position of the EU that barricades must be removed, freedom of movement must be secured for all and that Kosovo laws and agreements need to be fully implemented.

Director of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) Marko Djuric stated that the Peace Park built by the Kosovska Mitrovica Serbs will remain until further notice on the bridge over the Ibar River which connects the northern (Serb-populated) part and the southern (ethnic Albanian) part of the city in northern KiM.

The Commander of NATO Allied Joint Forces Command Naples, Admiral Bruce W. Clingan, said that NATO will continue to implement its mission in Kosovo in maintaining peace and stability and a  secure environment for all citizens.

Admiral Clingan made the comments in a farewell meeting with Kosovo President, Atifete Jahjaga.

The Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Marko Djuric, said today in a talk with UNMIK chief Farid Zarif in Kosovska Mitrovica that Belgrade’s key interest in Kosovo is stability. He added that Serbia, with the “reinforced power” it has gained from entering the provincial government and parliament of Kosovo, will continue to fight for the rights of its citizens. 

Goran Rakic, Mayor of Mitrovica North municipality, stated that the decision of Mitrovica North Municipal Assembly for construction of the “Peace Park” at the area from the bridge at River Iber/Ibar to the “Bosniacka Mahalla” will not be annulled.

He has denied the statements of the Minister for Environment and Spatial Planning, Dardan Gashi, that there is a signed memorandum that suspends construction of squares in the north, reported KTV.

Mayor of North Mitrovica Goran Rakic urged the Minister of Spatial Planning in the government of Kosovo Dardan Gashi, not to test the good will of people and the management of the northern part of the city, and to solve problems peacefully and in civilized manner.

"You cannot advocate for an agreed solution and to threat. This is contradictory. I think that threats of demolishing the Peace park are part of rhetoric of the past, that are behind us and we do not want to repeat ," said Rakic, reacting on the latest views of the outgoing Minister of Spatial Planning.

Experts from the Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning, Ministry for Local Government and those from Mitrovica North and South, will meet on Tuesday in Pristina. The news was confirmed for Radio Free Europe by the Minister for Environment and Urban Planning, Dardan Gashi.

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - A several concrete blocks with a sign saying KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army) Square have been placed in northern Kosovska Mitrovica, along the road leading to the multiethnic village of Suvi Do.

According to a Tanjug correspondent from the spot, the sign saying KLA Square (Sheshi UCK in Albanian) and an Albanian flag were placed at an intersection leading to Suvi Do on Thursday evening.

Albanian residents of the north have constructed another square called “UÇK” (KLA), in Mitrovica North. They finished their works last night at around 22:30 hours.

They set six concrete vases and the national flag at the “Three Skyscrapers” road which leads to Suhodoll.

A resident told KosovaPress that the vases were put in a position which would not block the traffic completely, in order not to tension the fragile situation in Mitrovica.

Following the erection of the ‘Adem Jashari Square’ in Bosniak Mahala, Municipality of Northern Mitrovica announced that all construction works which are carried out without the approval of the Municipal Assembly will be considered illegal and will be removed.