Serwer: Correcting borders is division, brings instability to Balkans

Serwer told Voice of America that the exchange of territories between Kosovo and Serbia would destabilise the Balkans and beyond.

“can strengthen political support for those inside Kosovo who oppose Kosovo as a state and who want joining Albania can weaken moderates in Serbia. And it would have a broader negative impact on Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina because Republika Srpska would like to adjust its borders and join Serbia and then have Russian ambitions to control South Ossetia and Abkasia in Georgia, Transnistrian in Moldova and Crime and Donbas in Ukraine”, he said.

He calls the idea that if called correction, he will avoid opening an Pandora Box.

It's a split, said University “Johns Hopkins” expert in an interview for the Voice of America. First of all, he is proposing division for a part of Serbia, he is not proposing giving up the four northern municipalities, but Serbia will propose it in exchange (for Presevo). Therefore, it is the division of Kosovo and Serbia, it is no border correction”.

In the past, Washington and Brussels have voiced opposition to division or exchange of territory, stressing that states cannot be formed on the basis of ethnic affiliation, but with the principles of respect for minorities. But Serwer admits that this attitude may have changed.

This discussion wouldn't have been opened if Brussels and Washington hadn't said it might be discussed, because in the past we had said they couldn't be discussed and they all understood the reasons. And they will understand this reason when they talk about that goal, how difficult and problematic it will be”.

Serwer adds that one of the factors that the West may have modified position may have to do with waves of populism on both sides of the Atlantic and what it calls a more ethno-nationalist trend.

I think the idea like this that would have been sacrilege for a Clinton administration (former President Clinton) and even an Obama administration and certainly for an administration of Hillary Clinton are more acceptable in a world of Trump or Orbanit”.

But he adds that opening such a discussion would open big problems.

<x) You can never have all the people on the right side of the border. ”

Republika Srpska (Republika Srpska) President Milorad Dodik said today that if Kosovo takes a seat in the UN, Republika Serpska would demand the same. But Serwer said he does not believe that Kosovo will receive UN membership, even if it is agreed to a change of territory, or correction, as China will not accept and Russia may not accept.

“For Russia is enough to destabilise the Balkans and prevent Bosnia and Macedonia from joining NATO”, he said.

Serwer adds that this conversation could have a negative impact on the adoption of the referendum in Macedonia, where Macedonians may feel threatened and vote against.

Balkan analyst says forces like Vetevendosje would reopen the topic of joining Albania and seek until referendum on this purpose, and opening this topic would cause problems for Albanian politicians.

President Thaci's great credit has been independence and the establishment of the state of Kosovo. Why would he open the door to join Albania, it's a mystery to me”.

Although Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has spoken publicly on this topic very often, it is the first time President Thaci or a senior Kosovo official has spoken out about it. And Serwer thinks it's not his initiative, but Serbia's and is receiving the American administration's blessing.