Bosnia fragmentation and Kosovo-Albania union: Genesis of document with modified Balkan borders

The document, which does not hold an official firm and allegedly reached even the highest circles of the European Union, proposes that Serbia, Croatia and Albania expand by devouring parts of Bosnia, northern Macedonia and Kosovo.

The idea, widely criticised in the region, is the resumption at the point where it banned Yugoslavia's wars and the creation of ethnic mono states -- in opposition directly to both the EU and international efforts to talk about multiculturalism in the Western Balkans.

Document published for the first time in Slovenian media suggests that Serbia get the existing entity Republika Srpska, one of the two main Bosnia administration units with Serb majority. While the Croat majority would join Croatia and Albania would unify with the majority of Albanian-speaking trains in Kosovo and northern Macedonia, while Kosovo's north and the Serb majority would receive special administrative rights.

Where did the controversial document come from?

The document, referred to by the EU as “non-paper” defined as a confidentially divided informal discussion point between governments or institutions, has emerged from Prime Minister Janez Jansa's office, which has refused to accept but also to deny claims after Euronews's interest.

While Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has confirmed his existence during an interview with a local media under the election campaign.

I've seen [the document]. I talked to the Slovenian prime minister some time ago. I talked to him about the idea in general and saw document”, Rama said.

What is the origin of this story?

Slovenia was the first state to secede from Yugoslavia before the wars that began after the federation was disbanded. After a brief conflict with the Yugoslav People's Army, the country declared independence in 1991.

Both the richest and northern part of the former federation, Slovenia immediately looked towards EU membership and has rarely turned its attention to seeing Balkan neighbours.

The suggestion that has prompted the most debate has been precisely the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina into a third of the current territory and enabling it to choose for a future between “The EU, not the EU (Turkey)”.

The comment has been described as completely racist and discriminating against the Bosniak majority who are of the Muslim religion.

It is also a reminder of the 1992-1995 bloody war when the country was divided by the ethno-nationalist wars when it declared independence after Yugoslavia's division.

Bosnians suffered the greatest losses and were constantly at the centre of the attacks because of their religious faith.

The whole event culminated with the Srebrenica genocide in July 1995, when over 8 thousand Bosniaks -- mainly men and children -- were massacred by the Bosnian Serb Army.

Later, the conflict between Serbian forces and Kosovo Albanians came, while Serbia still does not recognise Kosovo's sovereignty.

How important is this document?

For Robert Botter, editor of the Slovenian weekly Mladina, Jansa's refusal to accept or deny claims is a certain claim in itself.

We can't get a direct answer if he's the author because even when caught, Jansa always denies involvement”.

“Anyway, all circumstances are indications that the document is authentic”.

“Texa we can discuss the author's name, it's clear that it came from a circle of people like Jansa, Victor Orbam and Aleksandar Vucic”.

For Bosnia, the document comes at a time when the international community is distracted by other problems, such as the United States' new pandemic and administration.

According to Kurt Bassuener, associate professor at the Council of Democratic Policy, an expert association on political issues with headquarters in Berlin, most member states would favour proposed ideas, however, that does not make the content of this document less problematic.

“Ide that the breakup of Yugoslavia is an unfinished process is a completely revisionative view of what brought about the end of the country and a full of five conflicts, of which Bosnia suffered most. ”

Bassuener says the document on its entirety is clearly an indication of Jansa's ambitions to join among right-wing politicians such as Orban and Poland's Duda.

While Botter thinks the aim of the document is to create more conflict on the continent and destabilise the EU.

“15 years ago, Europe thought how one day the entire continent would be part of the European Union, including Turkey”, he said.

“Today, the process has halted, as conflicts continue to escalate to the borders of the province”.

“A strong European Union has never been in the interest of extreme right forces, as they have always been against a united and democratic Europe”.

The document has not been well received among Slovenian citizens.

“People in Slovenia are terrified and scared because we all know what change of borders meant 30 years ago in Bosnia”, he said.