Correcting allows international law for examples show that some have worked, and some have led to disasters

The international community once again eyes on Kosovo and Serbia.

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Serbia's Aleksandar Vuciq have publicly said they can change borders in an effort to improve relations between the two countries.

Supporters of the idea say that if the countries agree, it cannot destabilise the region, nor do the dominoes.

While contestants say touching borders opens Pandora's box in the Balkans, where Bosnia and Macedonia will be affected first.

Mark Ellis, executive director of the International Bar Association in an interview for REL indicates whether the agreement is in principle with international law.

Rel: Mr. Ellis, how did you comment on the readiness of the EU and the US to discuss the idea of changing borders between Kosovo and Serbia?

Mark EllisThere is a divided opinion on this issue on the international stage. A number of countries are concerned that this type of division is incompatible with the strong desire of a country or more multicultural countries, Telegrafi conveys. But on the other hand are the US, Russia and several European Union countries that have said that this is a decision to be made by Kosovo and Serbia, and if they meet international standards and ensure minority rights, they can enter an agreement that will take in exchange for territories, it broadcasts Telegrafi.

Such a thing is not unprecedented, there are examples in history like India and Bangladesh, Greece and Turkey or the division of Czechoslovakia. But it is important that the population governed by another country is protected.

Rel: As you said, there are controversial voices that are called to international law as a barrier to changing borders. Does international law allow changing borders if the states themselves agree?

Mark Ellis: This is a new area in international relations, but international law supports the transfer of territories. International law is more protective of the population's transfer. International law is legal for states to agree to exchange territories, but protection of minorities in both territories is important.

Rel: Serbia still does not recognise Kosovo's border, how can this border change?

Mark Ellis: If Serbia enters this kind of dialogue, it suggests that in the end it will recognise the state of Kosovo if it does not now. That's what I think is for smoking to see some international factors. There are over 100 countries that recognise Kosovo independence. If these two countries come with an agreement on territorial exchange, Serbia will finally recognise Kosovo. If the countries agree to exchange, the international community will support them, but this should be done peacefully.

Rel: Have some examples of territorial exchanges in the world worked?

Mark Ellis: Some have worked and some have not, but there are generally examples that have worked. India's division with Bangladesh has worked, the exchange of territories between Turkey and Greece has worked, then Czechoslovakia is peacefully divided. I think in the end nobody wants ethnic division. That should not be my goal. But is it the sovereign right of the states to make such a decision?

Following are some cases of exchange of territories and population between countries.

India and Pakistan
The largest population migration has occurred from the division of these countries. Muslims have demanded the formation of a country because the Hindu leadership has provided no guarantee that the Muslim population will be treated equally to that Hindu.

After the British have quickly left these Hindu and Muslim territories that have found themselves in the wrong <x0-year-old” have moved largely, about 15 million. About a million people were killed during chaos and over 100,000 women were raped.

Turkey and Greece
Following the defeat of Ottomans in World War I, victorious allies maneuvered by dividing Ottoman territories.
In 1923 a treaty was signed in Lausanne, Switzerland, envisioning the expulsion of 1.5 million Orthodox Christians from Turkey and another number of Muslims from Greece.

Israel and Palestine
Israel had no borders from 1948, while Palestinians never had a state.

Czechia and Slovakia
The “Versatile Revolution” by 1989 has led to peaceful division between the two countries.

Scotland and Britain
Scotland has held a referendum to secede from Great Britain, but the Scottishs have decided to be part of the union.