The “Besa” party in Macedonia, in favor of exchange of territories between Kosovo and Serbia

Afrim Gashi, leader of the Besa Movement in Macedonia, has been declared in favour of exchanging territories between Kosovo and Serbia as the eventual solution to the issue between the two countries.

In an interview for the news agency “Zurnal”, Gashi says that “even though at first glance the shift of news to the Balkans alludes to unrest and wars, this time my deep conviction is that this will not happen”.

“This conviction I support in the fact that these negotiations are under the leadership and supervision of top EU and US officials, who are also very interested that whatever agreement is reached between these two states is peaceful and agreed on by all sides, meaning that the prospects for destabilization are too small even in Kosovo and Serbia. Consequently, I am convinced that the effects of destabilisation cannot affect any other neighbouring country, the less Macedonia, which is located in the middle of the Balkans and whose destabilisation would have great effect”, Gashi has said.

Jurnal.mk: Can the exchange of Kosovo-Serbia territories destabilise Macedonia?

Africa Gashi: Kosovo and Serbia are going through a highly sensitive phase of negotiations, dealing with the fate of their states, but also of the entire region. There is no more secrecy than at the negotiating table, there is also the option of exchanging territories between these two countries. So even though at first glance the shift of news to the Balkans alludes to unrest and war, this time my profound conviction is that this will not happen. I support that belief in the fact that these negotiations are under the leadership and supervision of top EU and US officials, who are also very interested that any agreement reached between these two states is peaceful and agreed on by all sides, meaning that the prospects for destabilization are very small even in Kosovo and Serbia itself. Consequently, I am convinced that the effects of destabilisation cannot affect any other neighbouring country, the less Macedonia, which is located in the middle of the Balkans and whose destabilisation would have great effect.

Jurnal.mk: How specifically can Macedonia be destabilised?

Africa Gashi: Implementation of the Prespa Agreement in Macedonia and Greece and the closure of the 30-year dispute between these two countries has opened the door for Macedonia to become a NATO member very soon and has closed even the slightest possibility of destabilising this country. Not to say that this will never happen. Because, in politics, it never says “immediately”, however, I think that the destabilisation of Macedonia is almost impossible, much more after Macedonia closed open disputes with Greece and Bulgaria. In terms of domestic reactions, the pillar of stability in the country is the relationship between the two largest communities in the country -- that is, Albanians and Macedonians -- so I am convinced that day-to-day awareness of the Macedonian side is growing that without Albanians this country cannot become stable, secure and developed.

Jurnal.mk: How did you comment on the attitudes of Germany and Great Britain that the exchange of Kosovo-Serbia territories causes destabilisation of the Balkans?

Africa Gashi: Such statements are seen more in the prism of prevention and of raising concerns so that the worst will not happen. To deal with this, no one is naive to believe that the exchange of territories -- the more in the Balkans -- is an easy and tension-free process. So even the reactions of these countries are in this regard. Of course, the best solution would be to, through the final phase of the negotiations, Serbia recognise Kosovo and, as a result, close a very serious and multi-year-old conflict, but, to be honest, that is very difficult. Personally, I am for such a solution, but if other slightly more serious scenarios, but with international guarantees from the US and EU, I think the Kosovo side should think wisely and act for the benefit of its citizens and for the sake of the entire Albanian nation.

Jurnal.mk: Should Hashim Thaci give up these plans and save the region from destabilisation?

Africa Gashi: Kosovo chairman, Mr. Thaci, of course, is one of the main protagonists of this idea. However, I think the evental plan for exchange, mentioned recently in opinion, is not his personal idea. Therefore no one can expect him to give up, for he has not laid his own hand there. We need to know that this is a very complex process with many international actors and many players from great powers.

Jurnal.mk: Do you share Ilir Meta's concerns about the Thaci-Vucciq plan?

Africa Gashi: We are all concerned about the epilogue of the talks between Kosovo and Serbia, but I don't think that here we can talk about the personal plans of two political personalities, even those of Kosovo and Serbia. I think this process is complex and with many factors that interfere with the resolution of this dispute, including relevant factors from Washington, Brussels, Berlin, London, Moscow and Ankara. I am convinced that a long-term peaceful solution is required, which would calm the Balkans and bring it into a phase of stability from a security standpoint. This would create both economic and judicial security but also the establishment of new educational, cultural, scientific and welfare values in Kosovo, Serbia, but also across the region. We're tired of fighting each other. That's why I think it's the last time we look for him and find peace for us and our descendants for long-term.