The idea for exchange of territories between Kosovo and Serbia brings war to the Balkans

In an interview for Dnevni Avazı, Knaus, says the idea for exchange of territories is dangerous for the very people living in Kosovo and Serbia.

“Ide that the best solution to minority problems is removing minorities, moving borders or people has always been dangerous. This is a method to create new conflicts in the Balkans and turn the clock back in the 80s, where instead of discussing reforms, intellectuals and politicians in the former Yugoslavia were focused on borders and ethnic issues. We know how this ended. Anyone who knows history, should challenge that”, he said.

Knaus says Kosovo's president does not know what he is talking about and that he has no mandate from the Kosovo Assembly to discuss the exchange of territories. He says talking about the topic of exchanging closed-door territories could have similar results, like the 19th century Berlin Congress.

Well, there have been border corrections before, but everyone knows that this is not what Belgrade wants -- some uninhabited countries or forests in northern Kosovo. This is about real people who have already experienced traumatic things, in Kosovo and Serbia, and throughout the region. What we see is that two presidents discuss without transparency. To discuss the future of tens of thousands of people behind closed doors is something European diplomats did at the 19th century Berlin Congress. We know how it ended: much more wars in the Balkans, for a hundred years” it says, broadcast Express.

According to him, the debate over exchange of territories will only increase concerns and change the political agenda, but will not improve anything.

“Thaci has not received a mandate to exchange Kosovo's north and North Mitrovica. Vuciq also will not be able to give Kosovo Presevo and Bujanovac. That is why European countries must sit on the ground and encourage both countries to compromise. But yet some ways to resolve the minority issue are not acceptable, even if heads of state agree”, he adds further.

He says the idea of exchanging territories is not good even for Serbs living in other Kosovo countries who will not join Serbia in the event of any eventual border movement agreement.

Kosovo's “Serbs and Albanians in Serbia should not be hostage to their governments by discussing their fate”, potential Knaus.

Knaus has also spoken of the slight change in the position of Donald Trump's administration. According to him, Trump governance does not care for the Balkans at all.

As for Russia's position, Knaus says Moscow wants to prevent Balkan integration into the EU.

Russia would like a precedent for which it could refer to its conquered territories, from Crime to Caucasus. But the key to that does not lie in Washington or Moscow. It stays in the EU” adds Knaus.

For Knaus Brussels' statements that “whatever agreement the parties agree on is acceptable” is dangerous.

He says compromise is certainly good, but it must be achieved on a basis of pragmatism.

Knaus raises concerns about what would happen if both presidents agreed in exchange for people rather than territories.

“Brussels has forgotten that nationalists often reach unacceptable deal” he says.

As for the European Union, Knaus says it should be much clearer and reiterate the fact that Serbia will enter the EU only if it recognises Kosovo at its current borders, while Kosovo will join the EU only if it respects the commitments on minority rights and the protection of its Serb community envisioned in its constitution.