Milan Nic, expert with the German association “DGAP”, said on Deutsche Welle that the territory exchange is the first step towards a greater Albania, an old scenario mentioned often by Serbia and that is seen with concerns by the West.
Nic says that Germany and Washington are the ones who have changed with their stances about Balkan.
“John Bolton’s declaration, in my opinion, is a sign that America is looking for new alternatives because they are no longer interested on the region. They don’t see America’s as a leading role. For them, this is a European problem. Berlin is also disappointed with the role of Commissioner Hahn and that of the High Representative for f Foreign Policy, Mogherini. They have encouraged Serbia and Kosovo’s leaders to continue this path. They say that a historic agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is more important than smaller details, i.e borders.”
“But this was not the unified stance of the EU. They simply introduced the diplomatic line of Austria, not that of the European presidency. The option is considered realistic, as long as local leaders are determined to realize it, and foreign powers are ready to allow it“, he says.
“I am worried that this story will not be over with that”, he underlines. For Nic, the situation is more complex, and that there could be parallel agreements between Prishtina and Tirana as well. In the long-term, this territorial exchange might be seen in the future as the first step of a Greater Albania.
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