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Emerging Europe (14 February 2019)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj has launched a fierce attack against the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for Federica Mogherini, saying that she is “listed amongst the enemies of Kosovo.”

Mr Haradinaj said on February 13 that Ms Mogherini had “deviated discussions” regarding international recognition of the country.

“Instead of talking about an agreement with Serbia for recognition, she has deviated the discussion on territories and borders. She is the enemy of my country,” said Mr Haradinaj, adding that he considers any discussions of Kosovo’s existing territory or borders to be an act of aggression.

“Ms Mogherini’s discussions have destroyed the EU’s opportunity to forge an agreement.”

Ms Mogherini said last year that she would support a redrawing of Kosovo’s border if doing so was in conformity with international law.

The President of Kosovo, Hashim Thaçi – an opponent of Mr Haradinaj – has suggested on a number of occasions that a territorial swap with Serbia could lead to the normalisation of relations between the two countries. The swap, dubbed by Mr Thaçi a ‘border correction’, would involve exchanging predominantly ethnic Serb areas in northern Kosovo, such as Mitrovica, with areas of southern Serbia that are populated predominantly by ethnic Albanians, such as the Preševo Valley. Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vučić, is believed to be in favour of the idea.

However, the proposed land swap has faced opposition from Germany and other EU nations, as well as three former High Representatives for Bosnia and Herzegovina, who wrote an open letter to Ms Mogherini last year. They fear that revising the border between the two countries could open the way for the revision of other borders in the Balkans, including the those of North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In his statement on February 13, Mr Haradinaj praised the stance taken by Germany, and what he called the “unshakable position” of the its chancellor, Angela Merkel.

https://emerging-europe.com/news/kosovo-pm-attacks-eu-commissioner-mogherini/