Ethnic Albanians now push for separate region in southern Serbia
A region inhabited by ethnic Albanians in southern Serbia separate region inside Serbia, since existing administrative divisions do not protect minority rights, the president of a local municipality, Shaip Kamberi, said.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, October 07, 2009
"Even though the Serbian government disagrees, we consider that a region, which would recognise language, religious and other diversity, would be a mechanism for ethnic Albanians from Presevo to [gain] their legitimate rights," Kamberi said.
"Presevo Valley" is an Albanian name for the region between the municipalities of Presevo and Bujanovac in southern Serbia. The region borders Kosovo and Macedonia, where ethnic Albanians form a majority.
The area experienced armed clashes in 2000 and 2001 between Serbian security forces and ethnic Albanians insurgents, that were ended with the mediation of the international community and NATO.
Kamberi said that ethnic Albanian leaders cooperate with officials in Tirana and Pristina, even though the official Serbian stance is non-recognition of Kosovo's independence.
