Vuciq in favour of partitioning Serbs, Albanians

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vucic, is already engaged openly in partitioning between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo, promoting even more debate in Belgrade and Pristina over the division of Kosovo. President Vuciq even said he promotes the policy of partitioning with Albanians.

In Kosovo, President Hashim Thaci, on the other hand, says that “does not have the land divisions of Kosovo”, but requires correction of the border that, according to him, implies joining Kosovo of the three Albanian majority municipalities in southern Serbia.

Vuciq: Common Territory a Source of Conflicts

I am in favor and this is my policy, for sharing with Albanians, because having a territory that is not known who treats it and who it belongs to is always a source of potential conflicts. It is not hidden from such a goal, but it is not known whether the Serbian people will accept it or not, and whether they will succeed, it does not depend only on Serbia”, Aleksandar Vuciq said.

But media in Pristina cite representatives of several more industrialized QUINT states, which have already voiced themselves against border movement, because, according to them, this could destabilise the Balkans.

Balkan Destabilisation?

The Great Britain Embassy, says that “We believe calls for modification of national borders can be destabilising. As we have always been clear, normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia is crucial to the security, stability and prosperity of both countries and the region as a whole. The British government believes this should be based on the recognition of independent countries within their current borders. We continue to support the facilitated dialogue by the European Union with the aim of finding a comprehensive and sustainable solution with which the two countries benefit”.

The media in Pristina also quote Germany's embassy in Kosovo, where it says that “Germany is against changing borders”.

“German State Minister Michael Roth, as well as Ambassador Christian Heldt in various interviews, have made clear the official position regarding dialogue for normalisation of relations”. The Kosovo daily Koha Ditore quotes part of a Roth interview given to this newspaper on the 10th anniversary of independence, which says that the <x2nd> movement of borders is very dangerous and can destabilise the entire Balkan region”.

Unchanged Attitudes

I would not offer either side concrete proposals from abroad, because the issues you mention are very complex and certainly not simple to resolve. But, generally I am confident that Kosovo and Serbia will overcome this obstacle, if for that there is political will. Although here I have to give a warning: border movement is extremely dangerous. We flatly oppose them”, Minister Michael Roth was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delaway has rejected rumours that the US administration has changed access to Kosovo.

The United States is one of the closest and supportive friends of Kosovo, despite what you can read in the media, this has not changed and will not change. The partnership between the two countries is deep and very dimensional”, US Ambassador Delawi said.

Dialogue Continues

However, Serbia and Kosovo will continue the political high-level dialogue in early September with the European Union's mediation. A binding agreement on normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia is being persistently sought by the EU. This is confirmed on Friday by European Commission spokesman Carlos Martin, who said that a permanent resolution of relations between Kosovo and Serbia should be realistic and sustainable”.

The European Union-brokered “Dialog aims to promote the achievement of permanent co-operation between both sides and to help them achieve progress on the road to Europe, improve the lives of their people. The final solution implies a permanent solution, meaning a realistic, sustainable and possible solution, in accordance with international law”, spokesman Carlos Martin said. / DW