Kosovo’s Parliament ratifies border agreement with Montenegro

Further information:

A total of 80 of the 120 members of Parliament voted in favour of the ratification, fulfilling the requirement for a two-thirds majority. The session in the chamber was temporarily suspended due a tear gas attack caused by MPs of the Vetevendosje party, with the aim of delaying the vote yet again. The police later detained several members of the party.

Background information:

Ratification of the agreement, which was negotiated with Montenenrho in 2015, was repeatedly delayed by political disagreement in Kosovo. The Montenegrin Parliament swiftly ratified the agreement after it was reached.

In Kosovo, disagreement over this deal was among the main reasons for the collapse of a coalition government in 2017.

As a means of pressure, the European Union tied any agreement on visa-free travel and eventual full accession by Kosovo to the agreement being ratified.

+ Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo to Sign Border Deal, October 2014
+ Adoption of draft law on border demarcation by Kosovo's government, August 2016

The Kosovan Parliament ratified on 21 March 2018 an agreement with Montenegro over their shared borders, despite a tear gas attack during the parliamentary session.

EurActiv, 21.03.18: Kosovo ratifies Montenegro border deal despite tear gas attack https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/kosovo-ratifies-montenegro-border-deal-despite-tear-gas-attack/

Politico, 21.03.18: Kosovo MPs back border deal despite tear gas protest https://www.politico.eu/article/kosovo-mps-use-tear-gas-to-halt-parliament-vote-on-border-deal-montenegro-schengen/

Reuters, 21.03.18: Kosovo parliament ratifies border deal with Montenegro after stormy session https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1GX1GB

Balkan Insight, 21.03.18: Kosovo Parliament Approves Montenegro Border Deal http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/xx-kosovo-parliament-approves-montenegro-border-deal-03-21-2018

Deutsche Welle, 21.03.18: Kosovo passes Montenegro border deal after tear gas disruptions http://p.dw.com/p/2uiq9

Balkan Insight, 20.03.18: Kosovo Govt Frets as Montenegro Border Deal Vote Nears http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovo-to-vote-the-controversial-agreement-demarcation-timeline-03-19-2018

BBC News, 22.03.18: Kosovo parliament ratifies border deal despite tear gas http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43484684

European Commission: Joint statement on the ratification of the Border Demarcation Agreement between Kosovo and Montenegro http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-18-2343_en.htm

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