Kosovo ratifies agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro

PRISTINA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The assembly of Kosovo ratified on Wednesday the agreement on border demarcation agreement with Montenegro.

Out of 120 MPs of the assembly, 80 voted in favor and 11 abstained, to reach the two thirds of the required votes.

However, the ratification happened amid violence actions inside the assembly as the MPs of the opposition party Vetevendosje used tear gas in the Kosovo Assembly four times to prevent the vote.

Contrary to the ruling coalition and the other opposition party LDK, Vetevendosje considers the agreement harmful to Kosovo, by which allegedly Kosovo loses a part of its territory.

Foreign Minister of Kosovo Behgjet Pacolli welcomed the decision of the assembly, saying, "This is a landmark decision that opens the path to visa liberalization regime with the European Union (EU) and re-confirms the friendly relations with Montenegro."

The ratification of the agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro signed in 2015 was one of 95 benchmarks for Kosovo set by the European Commission in the visa liberalization process.

By May 2016 Kosovo fulfilled 93 benchmarks, therefore the European Commission proposed visa liberalization on the understanding that by the day of adoption of this proposal by the European Parliament and Council, Kosovo will have ratified the border/boundary agreement with Montenegro and strengthened its track record in the fight against organized crime and corruption.

EU officials have announced a swift review of the fight against organized crime and corruption following the ratification of the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. After the ratification Kosovo citizens expect a quick delivery from the EU in order to enjoy visa free travel to the Schengen Zone.

Kosovo is a southern province of Serbia which unilaterally declared independence in 2008. Enditem