FYROM, Kosovo separatists swap “ambassadors”
Macedonia’s decision to establish diplomatic ties with the breakaway Serbian province of Kosovo has raised Belgrade’s eyebrow, Macedonian local media reported Monday.
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Sunday the move was “regrettable” and “there will be consequences.”
He said the move would endanger Skopje’s good neighborly relations with Belgrade, but restrained from specifying further actions that his country would take.
On Sunday, Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki issued a statement, saying the country decided to send its ambassador to Pristina, capital of Kosovo, which unilaterally declared independence in February 2008.
Hours earlier, the parliaments of Macedonia and Kosovo ratified a border agreement late Saturday night, ending a long dispute over the volatile region between the two sides.
Serbia strongly opposes Kosovo’s independence, backed by the United States and most of western European countries, and sees Kosovo as part of its own territory.
Belgrade argues that the border Macedonia has with the province should have been agreed upon between Serbia and Macedonia.
Macedonia has been under pressure to establish diplomatic ties with Kosovo, since one quarter of Macedonian population are ethnic Albanians who are closely tied with their kinsmen in Kosovo, in which ethnic Albanian majority accounts for 90 percent of its 2 million people.
However, Macedonia has strong economic ties with both Serbia and Kosovo, and the loss of either would have a significant impact on its economy.
The Macedonia-Serbia border in the part with Kosovo was left unmarked, due to a long-standing spat between Belgrade and Pristina over who has jurisdiction over the Kosovo side of the border.
Following the 1999 NATO military campaign against Serbia, Belgrade lost effective control of the province and Kosovo became an international protectorate.
Macedonia recognized Kosovo’s independence last October. However, Skopje demanded full demarcation of their mutual border before sending ambassador there.
The United States, Britain and the European Union praised the recent move by Macedonia and Kosovo as good for the stability of the Balkan region.
“This is good for both states and for the entire region,” U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia Philip Reeker told media on Sunday as a reaction to the border agreement.
“I congratulate both countries on this step forward that further enhances the stability of the region,” the British Minister for Europe Chris Bryant said regarding the Macedonia-Kosovo deal.
EU Ambassador to Macedonia Erwan Fouere saw the move as reflection of “mutual trust and responsibility of both governments.”
Albania also welcomed Macedonia’s move.
October 19, 2009
XINHUA
Of course the Macedonians are making nice with those scumbags.
The “Kosovars” have them by the throat. Serves them right too.
What goes around comes around
Screw them,the Albanians can have them.Lets hope their Albanian population wants their piece of FYROM,we should support THEM!Serbia should stand by our friends/brothers the Greeks in refusing to let them use the name Republic of Macedonia.As Veljkovic says WHAY GOES AROUND,COMES AROUND!(traitors)
The Macedonians deserve all they get,let’s hope the Albanians try and grab a slice of it,should be good for a laugh.
I have no use for the Macedonians now! They will be less than 50% of the total Macedonian population within 50 years as the Albanians continue their press for a greater albania through higher birth rates. Let the Bulgars and Greeks deal with these traitors now. The Macedonians have screwed the only country in the Balkans that was NOT seeking their territory.
Just to make things easier on you – it’s not the Macedonians or Kosovars/Albanians or whoever that meddled… It’s the big powers, USA, Russia and such. We are getting over it and playing by their rules
Refocus your anger, too. But that’s life, Macedonia asked Serbia for border demarcation for years, but it happened just few days ago under strong USA support.
BTW, some (un)official numbers say that there were 85 soldiers/policemen and 15 civilians killed in 2001 in Macedonia. Do you know the (un)official number on the other side? 8.000… Because they tried to do things out of USA control. Again, that’s life, not that I agree with above mentioned meddling, just telling.
Serbia shouldn’t have recognised the name of Macedonia, it was insult to the Greeks. Serbia should recall it’s recognition
AGREED!Serbia should never have recognised the name,IT IS an insult to our Greek brothers,and Serbia should renege on it…Immediately,no questions asked.
Kirev
The great powers meddle everywhere.The choice is still the nation/people who get pressured.But in the end WE ALL make our own beds,and lay in them the choice is theirs!
They (Macedonian govt) sold their souls. Greeks won’t have to worry about their hijacked name much longer – the Albanians will squeeze them out in a few generations. Maybe they should be called what they are, Bulgarians.
Maybe the Macedonians have a point by bowing to the meddling powers…after all, the Serbs didn’t bow and look what happened to them!
Macedonia-Serbian border agreement was signed 2001. Macedonia wanted to solve the border dispute as soon as possible and Serbia was the best partner for that. Eight years later, Serbia is still not in charge of Kosovo and chances are slim that it will happen in near future. How long should Macedonia side with Serbian interest in Kosovo while not getting any substantial Serbian backing in its own struggle against Greece. Serbian should look little further than their own narrow interest to understand the actions of the others.
The decision on Kosovo will be sonner then we all think. in the U.N.’s International court of Justice.