Correction of the border with Serbia, to the detriment of the territory of Kosovo, is not accepted for Presevo Valley. Its representatives demand for their political problem to be resolved during the dialogue process with Serbia in order to reach a historic comprehensive agreement. However, they claim that the solution should safeguard Kosovo’s sovereignty. They want the Kosovo political spectrum to be united when the discussions with Serbia are concerned. According to them, the population in the Valley is willing to unite with Kosovo however, in no case they want this to cause its division. Shaip Kamberi, mayor of Bujanovac municipality, told Radio Kosova that it is important for Kosovo not to be divided in this process. “We are aware of the situation in Kosovo, and political divisions there. If Kosovo assesses that correction of the border would be harmful, then it is on us to request from Kosovo to finally take over a responsibility in these discussions and insist for reciprocity of rights for Albanians in Presevo Valley, equal to those that Serbs enjoy in Kosovo,” he said.
The leader of the National Council of Albanians in Presevo Valley, Ragmi Mustafa, also told Radio Kosova that they are ready to contribute to this process without interfering in the internal debate. “A pro et contra debate has opened in Kosovo, however, we consider that we should not be involved in this debate, while we are waiting also on the platform that the dialogue group is going to present, which we consider that should by all means treat the issue of the Presevo Valley as well,” he said.
Shpetim Arifi, mayor of Presevo municipality, is against detriment of Kosovo’s territorial integrity.
“Some of the new conditions are not to divide Presevo Valley, the second is no territorial exchange and the third is to definitely have the international, EU and U.S. support. In this respect, I want to stress that we do not want to harm the Republic of Kosovo, we want protection of its territorial integrity and sovereignty,” he said.