Construction in northern Kosovska Mitrovica interrupted

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - The construction of houses launched by ethnic Albanians in the Brdjani neighbourhood in northern Kosovska Mitrovica that caused alarm among Serbs have been interrupted after the talks between the mayors of the southern and northern parts of the city, Goran Rakic and Agim Bahtiri.

Kosovska Mitrovica has been a divided city since 1999. Its northern part is populated mainly by Serbs, while the southern part is home to ethic Albanians only.

In a statement for reporters, Rakic said that it has been agreed that all the works in Brdjani should be interrupted, and announced high-level talks in a week.

Ethnic Albanians began construction works on Friday, which caused alarm among local Serbs, who claim that ethnic Albanians never lived in the area before and that they now want to change the ethnic structure of the neighbourhood by moving in.

Some of the embassies in Pristina have been notified about the problem.

An intervention unit of the Kosovo police and members of EULEX police appeared on the site, but they withdrew in the meantime.

Photo Tanjug, N. Jovanovic (archive photo, illustration)