Macedonian opposition: "Border" agreement with Pristina is unconstitutional
Macedonian opposition parties say the "border agreement" reached between Skopje and Pristina is unconstitutional.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) accused the government of undermining a 2001 border agreement reached by the late Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski and Serbia's head of state at the time, Vojislav Kostunica. The agreement pre-dated Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia.
Opposition MPs claim the government has ceded excessive amounts of Macedonian territory, more than allowed for by law.
"It is clear that the border is changed significantly," LDP Vice-President Andrej Zernovski said.
Objections are also being raised on procedural grounds. The LDP says such changes require approval by two-thirds of parliament, and that a citizens' referendum should be held. Instead, the agreement was backed by 72 members of the 120-seat parliament. The opposition is threatening to file suit at Macedonia's constitutional court.
According to SDSM leader Branko Crvenkovski, the deal was in "clear violation of the constitution and the rule of law".
"Given away are 300 metres which is more than the allowed 150," Crvenkovski said. "With this agreement, Kosovo gains 130 hectares while Macedonia gains 140 from Kosovo. It is not about a demarcation but about exchange of territories."
