Kosovo-Serbia territorial exchange, dangerously paved road

Ashdown says such an idea would create precedent for Albanians in Macedonia, for the Hungarian-Serbian border, and even for Russian President Vladimir Putin, to take part of Ukraine.

Ashdown and two other former international representatives in Bosnia, Carl Bildt and Christian Schwarz-Schiling, wrote an open letter to the European Union's foreign policy chief, Federica Moghrini, and the foreign ministers of EU member states this week, urging them to give up plans for “the territory's” between Serbia and Kosovo.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Ashdown, can your letter to EU foreign policy chief Federica Moghrin, in which you and two other international representatives warn against “of territory” between Kosovo and Serbia?

Ashdown: You can use any word. It is a declaration -- important warning for people designated in the Balkans and the European Union who have jointly chosen this dangerously paved road.

What do you care most about Bosnia?

Paddy Ashdown: It's all on paper. This supposedly refers, not to setting the precedent, but to exchanging territories. Whoever knows the Balkans, as I think we know it, well knows that this will give self-confidence and support to those who want to dismantle Bosnia.

REL: What do you think the idea for the so-called correction of the border between Serbia and Kosovo has come from?

Paddy Ashdown: I think these are dangerous circumstances. I think it will launch a series of similar requirements for reforming borders, which will cause minority migration and destabilise several countries, including Bosnia. For example, Macedonia is on the verge of an important referendum on its future and the possibility of EU membership. But I have no dilemma that if Presheva joins Kosovo, Albanians in Tetovo and Gostivar can say they want to join Kosovo. All of this would harm the effort to achieve the integration of the Western Balkans.

REL: On paper write that the EU is willing to support an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia that would include the exchange of territories. Who agrees with this idea in European circles? German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said there can be no change of borders in the Balkans. Even your country, Britain, is against changing borders.

Paddy Ashdown: I can only tell you what I heard. I understand that EU High Representative, (Federica) Moghrin, is willing to support this idea. I think the European Commissioner for Enlargement (Johannes Hahn) is less enthusiastic about this option, but always willing to support it. However, the question is whether Mogher has a mandate to do so if the most important European countries, especially German Chancellor Merkel, are against such a solution. Despite this, Moghrin has hinted that the EU is ready to accept the option. I really hope that's not true.

What about the U.S. position? The White House National Security Adviser's announcement, Michael Bolton, that they are willing to accept any solution between Kosovo and Serbia is a little surprising, right?

Paddy Ashdown: Not very surprising for two reasons. They do not understand the consequences (of change in the land) and do not understand complexity. So that the United States, with this administration, is more likely to do so and less likely to know what is happening on the ground, it does not surprise me. Second, I assume that (American President Donald) Trump, as a supporter of reaching agreements at any price, sees this as “this is the” agreement. If this is viewed only as an agreement and is not thought of the very dangerous consequences, it may be tempting to accept, but it will be a big mistake if they agree.

REL: You're worried about consequences not only in Bosnia, but also in other countries and not only in the Balkans?

Paddy Ashdown: Absolutely. A person who would like to rub hands, if that happens is Russia's President Vladimir Putin, because that's exactly what he wants to see in Ukraine: solve Ukraine's problem by giving part of it to Russia. That is what he wants to see - a precedent that would help. If we start changing borders, this will continue. Will we now change Macedonia's borders, exchange the Albanian population west of Macedonia with Kosovo, rewrite the Hungarian-Serbian border in the Vojvodina area, speak of Sandzak? If you want to form one-ethnic pockets in the Balkans, then you have to rewrite many boundaries and eventually end up with ethnically clean states that can't do anything but conflict with neighbours.