Kosovo opposition fires teargas in parliament to stop vote on border deal

Kosovo’s opposition has fired teargas during a parliament session to disrupt a vote on a border agreement with Montenegro.

Lawmakers of the opposition party Vetevendosje, which translates as the Self-Determination Movement party, used teargas canisters in the hall where the vote on the 2015 demarcation deal was due to start on Wednesday. Deputies had to be evacuated from the Assembly building.

The European Union conditioned Kosovo’s possible accession to the European visa-free travel zone known as Schengen on accepting a border demarcation agreement with Montenegro and improved ties with Serbia, the country which has yet to recognize Kosovo, a former territory, as an independent state.

Montenegro recognizes Kosovo’s 2008 independence and accepts the demarcation agreement. However, opposition parties in Kosovo have rejected the 2015 deal, saying its ratification would result in Kosovo losing territory. International experts have dismissed the notion.

The opposition party has used teargas and similar tactics in the 120-seat parliament to prevent the ratification of the agreement in the past three years.

Opposition lawmaker Albulena Haxhiu said on Wednesday they were determined to stop the parliament passing the agreement.