The border demarcation between Kosovo and Serbia is lately mentioned as an idea that needs to be discussed in the process of dialogue between the two countries. The term ‘border correction’ seems softer compared to ideas for border correction, changes or exchange of territories. There are discussions and dilemmas nowadays in Kosovo when the border demarcation should happen. According to political commentators, border demarcation can happen only after an agreement for mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia. Otherwise, demarcation before mutual recognition is seen as a continuation of the idea for border changes.
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, who relies on the idea for border changes, says that through demarcation or correction he is trying to implement the unification of the three municipalities in southern Serbia – Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac – with Kosovo. Thaci said it is regrettable that Kosovo’s political class is failing to reach a united position on what he calls “the real ideal of Albanians living in Presevo Valley to join Kosovo”.
The majority of Kosovo’s political landscape does not agree with Thaci’s idea and are sceptical that the border demarcation process can be used as an opportunity to change borders. Political commentators argue that positions on the matter need to be clarified.
Ramush Tahiri, political commentator, told Radio Free Europe that the final settlement for the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia should include the border demarcation issue. “Where is Thaci’s idea in this respect? We will have to wait and see whether the demarcation process will include border changes or exchange of territories, or if it will be an ethnic correction or not,” Tahiri said.
“There is misunderstanding in the public opinion because some time demarcation implies new borders, border changes, and at times even exchange of territories and people, and there is no reason for this,” Tahiri added.
He added that an agreement on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia implies Kosovo’s existing borders without new ethnic lines, as has happened with all the countries that emerged from the breakup of Yugoslavia. “In a demarcation process, Serbia must recognize the existing borders and there needs to be a signed agreement. This is phase one. Phase two then can include border changes or exchange of territories, but this can happen only when Kosovo has its own position on the matter.”
Agron Bajrami, editor-in-chief of Koha Ditore daily newspaper, told RFE that border changes are not a demarcation process but rather an exchange of territories. “Before there is an act of recognition, any changes to borders is not a demarcation process, but rather an exchange of territories; it is interference in Kosovo’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and a serious violation of the Constitution. Therefore, it is absurd to say or pretend that border correction can be made through a border demarcation process,” he said. Bajrami added that claims for border demarcation between Kosovo and Serbia without a prior agreement can be seen as attempts to bring back to the table of talks the issue of Kosovo’s partition. “This can be an attempt to bring back to the political discourse the highly-detrimental idea of Kosovo’s partition … Demarcation is a normal process between two countries and it often has nothing to do with political issues,” he added.
