44 minutes agoThe Guardian: The idea of exchanging territories under fire from all sides
Periskopi(8 years ago)
(8 years ago)Media giant “The Guardian” has written an article about the potential correction of the borders between Kosovo and Serbia, as an idea for normalising relations between the two countries. The British newspaper has stressed that despite the fact that American attitudes have changed during the recent administration, the idea of re-organising borders is facing opposition as it is inside [...]
The British newspaper has stressed that despite the fact that American attitudes have changed during the recent administration, the idea of re-organising borders is facing opposition both inside and outside the Balkans.
The plan to redefine Kosovo's borders is facing a host of criticism within the republic, the region and beyond.
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vuciq, have suggested that an exchange of territories may be part of an agreement that will pave the way for a final solution between Belgrade and Pristina.
Kosovo seceded from Serbia in 1999 and declared its independence in 2008, which Belgrade has not yet recognised. Thaci and Vuciq have met regularly under the auspices of EU foreign policy chief Federica Moghrini, to reach an agreement that could give Kosovo a seat at the UN and to put both countries closer to the EU.
Although neither Thaci nor Vuciq have yet to know the details of their plans. In a discussion held in Austria last week, both have confirmed that border changes were part of the discussion. A change would probably include the exchange of territory in southern Serbia, mainly populated by ethnic Albanians, for the part of northern Kosovo with a predominantly ethnic Serb population.
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton recently declared Washington would not stay on the road if Belgrade and Pristina reached an agreement, overturning a several-year US policy that praised that further border changes in the Balkans are unacceptable.
Vuciq is facing much opposition in Serbia, as some see such an agreement as acknowledging that Kosovo is permanently lost. There is also strong criticism within Kosovo, especially from Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who referred to this idea as catastrophic “ide”. In his Twitter account, he wrote that “Public discussion on re-Disecting borders and exchanging territories is an invitation for new tragedies in the Balkans”.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has rejected such an idea, and three former senior Bosnians representatives have sent a letter to Federica Mogher asking her not to support any plans involving exchange of territories.
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However, he fears that simply putting this matter back on the table would encourage those who wish to reopen the topics already resolved.
A large number of Albanians live in Macedonia and was the scene of interethnic clashes during 2001. Politicians have been careful about any agreement involving exchange of territories.
These ideas have sailed through all Balkan wars, and this country has always been very determined to support political solutions to problems that do not require ethnic borders. We must remember that the greatest atrocities were committed at this end, or with that excuse in mind” has said Macedonian Defence Minister Radmila Sekerinska.
Another key issue is Russia. Vucic is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin twice in the coming months, and so far Moscow has given little indication that it is ready to lift its long-standing opposition to Kosovo's independence.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, said it was Belgrade and Pristina's issue to agree to a deal, but stressed that the “agreement should reflect their interests.
