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Tear Gas Released In Kosovo Parliament During Fierce Debate

Tear Gas Released In Kosovo Parliament During Fierce Debate

Opposition MPs were trying to block a border demarcation deal with Montenegro

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Warring politicians in Kosovo debating a bill in parliament have taken their battle up a notch after the opposition released tear gas cannisters.

The Self-Determination Movement party was trying to delay the parliament from ratifying a border agreement with Montenegro - something that has been in the pipeline since it was signed in 2015.

They're against the idea of handing over 8,000 hectares of land to their neighbour, which was a European Union commitment that would grant Kosovans free travel within the Schengen zone. While Montenegro has approved the bill on their side, Kosovo's parliament has yet to agree to the terms.

When the three cannisters were released, some politicians seemed pretty unfazed by the whole situation and calmly evacuated the room, however there were others who seemed clearly affected by the chemicals.

The session has been adjourned until the room can be ventilated.

PA

It's not the first time tear gas has been used in relation to this specific bill - in fact the tactic has been used repeatedly in the Kosovan parliament in recent years.

Kosovo's European Union ambassador Nataliya Apostolova has written on Twitter: "Appalled by tear gas release in Kosovo Assembly! Shocked that members of a parliament in Europe are resorting to dangerous tactics pulling Kosovo backwards.

"Call on all MPs and all parties to go back to Assembly to defeat such unacceptable practices that go against democratic society and the future of the Kosovo people. MPs, vote for the future, not for the past!"

United States Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delawie released a statement saying: "Today so far has been a real disappointment to me. People with bankrupt ideas resort to political violence to try to achieve their goals.

"This should not be happening in Kosovo. Kosovo is better than this. This should not be happening in a European country. Tear gas is not a European thing.

"I would encourage all the Members of Parliament to return to the Assembly Chamber. I would urge them to vote yes on the Border Demarcation Agreement. I encourage them to vote yes for Europe. I encourage them to vote yes for progress for Kosovo."

PA

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, which, as of last month, has been recognised by the United Nations and 113 UN states.

Serbia however does not recognise the move.

In 2013, the Brussels Agreement was forged, which allowed the Serb minority in Kosovo to have their own police force and court of appeals - however, much like the border demarcation agreement, it has yet to be ratified by either parliament.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, News, Politics