Partition of Kosovo

Map of North Kosovo, in orange, showing the divided city of Kosovska Mitrovica

The partition of Kosovo has been suggested as a solution to the Kosovo issue between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Kosovo[a]. The possible partition would be the division of Kosovo along ethnic lines, such as separating Serb-inhabited North Kosovo, and possibly some enclaves in the south, from the rest of Albanian-inhabited Kosovo. The partition was proposed several times, even before the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence,[1] although the question has most recently been raised after the North Kosovo crisis.

However, after the signatory of the 2013 Brussels Agreement between the governments of Kosovo and Serbia, Serbia dropped its support for a possible partition of the territory, and agreed to create an association of Serb municipalities in Kosovo. Its assembly will have no legislative authority and the judicial authorities will be integrated and operate within the Kosovo legal framework. The association was expected to be formed in 2015, but opposition riots and a petition signed by over 203,000 citizens slowed it down.[2] The Constitutional Court of Kosovo ruled that the formation of the Association was in compliance with the constitution of Kosovo, but that certain aspects of its proposed implementation were not.[3]

History

On April 30, 1999, Margaret Thatcher gave a speech in which she opposed a partition.[4]

The policy of partitioning Kosovo and unification of Republika Srpska with Serbia was seen as offering "long-term security and stability for the region", according to Aleksandar Jokic (2003).[5]

In 2005, part of the Serbia-Kosovo negotiation was the Serbian side's call for the establishment of Serb municipalities and constitutional and legal protection of Serbs.[6] UN Special Representative (UNOSEK) Jessen-Petersen and Kosovo speaker Daci reiterated the ruling out of partition.[6]

The Community of Serb Municipalities is planned to be established according to the Brussels Agreement (2013).

Drawing the line

Hypothetical future territory of the Republic of Kosovo, with part of North Kosovo going to the Republic of Serbia

The partition of Kosovo generally refers to dividing Kosovo south of the Ibar River.[7][8] North of the river is a predominantly ethnic Serb majority area, whereas south of the river is a predominantly ethnic Albanian area.[9] There are also several Kosovo Serb enclaves south of the river Ibar, which have been proposed to be included in a possible partition of Kosovo. North Kosovo is controlled by the 'Assembly of the Community of Municipalities of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija', a regional government loyal to Belgrade;[10] whereas the rest of Kosovo is administrated by the government of the 'Republic of Kosovo'.

Reactions

See also

Notes and references

Notes:

a. ^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence on 17 February 2008, but Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. The two governments began to normalise relations in 2013, as part of the Brussels Agreement. Kosovo has received recognition as an independent state from 110 out of 193 United Nations member states.

References:

  1. ↑ Kosovo partition 'on the table' BBC
  2. ↑ "203000 people signed the petition against the Association". Indeksonline. 31 October 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  3. ↑ "The verdict of the Constitutional Court". GJK. 23 December 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  4. 1 2 MEMORANDUM TO: OPINION LEADERS - April 30, 1999, at the site of Project for the New American Century
  5. ↑ Aleksandar Jokic (26 February 2003). Lessons of Kosovo: The Dangers of Humanitarian Intervention. Broadview Press. pp. 180–. ISBN 978-1-55111-545-0.
  6. 1 2 Niels van Willigen (18 July 2013). Peacebuilding and International Administration: The Cases of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. Routledge. pp. 177–. ISBN 978-1-134-11718-5.
  7. 1 2 "Kosovo partition on the table". BBC News. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  8. ↑ "Serbia Formally Proposes Ethnic Partition of Kosovo". New York Times. 25 March 2008. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  9. ↑ BBC, Could Balkan break-up continue?, 22.02.08
  10. ↑ "Serbs form rival Kosovo assembly". BBC News. 2008-06-14. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  11. ↑ "Albania: Ethnic Division of Kosovo Is Absurd Idea". novinite.com. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  12. ↑ "Partition possible solution for Kosovo problem". B92. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  13. ↑ "Partition of Kosovo is unacceptable". B92. 10 August 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  14. ↑ [http://www.smedia.rs/vesti/vest/76960/Djordje-Ivanov-Predsednik-Makedonije-Kosovo-Srbija-Ivanov-Podela- Kosova-moze-da-destabilizuje-region.html "Ivanov: Podela Kosova može da destabilizuje region"] Check |url= value (help). SMedia (in Serbian). 06.10.2011. Retrieved 7 October 2011. line feed character in |url= at position 104 (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ↑ "Montenegro "repaid Albanians for support"". B92. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
  16. ↑ Podela Kosova - jedno od mogućih rešenja (Serbian)
  17. ↑ "Partition of Kosovo only solution, minister says". B92. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  18. ↑ "Kosovo partition only solution, ex-Yugoslav president says". B92. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  19. ↑ Подела Косова је логично решење (Serbian)
  20. ↑ "Ivor Roberts: Partition is the best answer to the Kosovo question". The Independent. 5 December 2007. Retrieved 3 October 2011.
  21. ↑ WikiLeaks cables: Kosovo sliding towards partition, Washington told Guardian
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