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Southeast Europe
May 12, 2017 www.intellinews.com I Page 13
In an interview with Montenegrin daily Pobjeda, Zaev said that Macedonia will become the 30th member of Nato – a move that will be sure to ran- kle with the Russians, who are widely suspected of involvement in stirring up the recent trouble in Macedonia.
Greece, which objects to the use of the name "Macedonia” as it is shared by a Greek province, has blocked Macedonia’s efforts so far to join the Nato since 2008. However, Zaev said he expects
Kosovo to hold early elections after government loses confidence vote
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Kosovo is heading for early elections after Prime Minister Isa Mustafa’s government lost a no-confi- dence motion on May 10. MPs from the Democrat- ic Party of Kosovo (PDK) – the coalition partner
of Mustafa’s Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) – sided with the opposition to vote in favour of the motion.
Kosovan politics has been deadlocked for months as the government repeatedly failed to persuade lawmakers to back a critical border demarcation treaty with neighbouring Montenegro, a step Pris- tina had to take to continue its path towards EU integration. Early elections could result in a less fragmented parliament, making it easier for the next government to ratify the treaty (which needs a two-thirds majority) as well as carry out other reforms.
The motion was supported by 78 lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament, 34 opposed it and three abstained, according to a parliament statement. Shortly after the vote, Kosovan President Hashim
Macedonia to solve the long-standing dispute with Greece through dialogue very shortly.
“Nato membership is important because the military alliance provides stability, security and inviolability of borders particularly in our Balkans region,” Zaev told Pobjeda.
If successful, the resolution of the name issue would also unblock Macedonia’s bid to start EU accession talks.
Thaci dissolved the parliament, and is expected to set a date for an early general election within the next 30-45 days.
The no-confidence motion was initiated by the opposition party Initiative for Kosovo (Nisma), and supported by fellow opposition parties, Veteven- dosje (Self-Determination) and the the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK).
The primary cause of the confidence vote was the agreement with Montenegro concerning the de- marcation of the border between the two coun- tries. The ratification of this border agreement
is also the sole unfulfilled requirement of the EU before it agrees to lift its visa requirement for the people of Kosovo. However, Kosovo’s three main opposition parties strongly oppose the move.
Vetevendosje, the AAK and Nisma, as well as border region residents, allege that the deal deprives Kosovo of several thousand hectares of land. Since the signing of the deal, the opposition