Kosovo, Macedonia sign border deal

Kosovo, Macedonia demarcate disputed border

(AP)  PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - Kosovo's authorities said Friday they have demarcated a disputed border with Macedonia, a scene of tensions in the past.

The deal, which will define several miles (kilometers) of border between the two countries follows months of negotiations. It is expected to pave the way to setting up diplomatic relations between the two countries, which Macedonia refused to set up before the agreement was reached.

A statement from the office of Kosovo's Prime Minister said the deal strengthens Kosovo's statehood and "deepens regional cooperation and stability." It follows months of negotiations.

The top European Union official in Kosovo, Pieter Feith, hailed the agreement as "a historic step that enhances regional stability."

The move however is likely to be met with anger from Kosovo Albanians who own some 6,100 acres (2,500 hectares) of land defined as part of Macedonia. The border was initially demarcated between Macedonia and Yugoslavia in 2001, when Kosovo was under U.N. administration. At the time ethnic Albanians set up roadblocks to protest the move.

The area is close to where ethnic Albanians started their insurgency in Macedonia in 2001. It is still patrolled by some 1,000 US peacekeepers, deployed in Kosovo as part of the NATO-led peacekeeping force since 1999.

The U.S. Ambassador in Kosovo, Christopher Dell, welcomed the deal "as the result of good faith" on both sides.

"This agreement opens the door to the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two countries," Dell said in a statement.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia last year, despite objections from Serbia and its ally Russia.

So far 62 countries have recognized Kosovo's independence, including the U.S. and most nations in the EU. Serbia has vowed to block more recognitions and has asked the International Court of Justice to give a legal opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence, claiming it was illegal under international law.