Kosovo president decrees Montenegro border demarcation deal

PRISTINA, Kosovo – Kosovo’s president has agreed the country’s border with Montenegro, a development that takes Kosovo one step nearer to joining Europe’s free travel Schengen zone.

Montenegro has already approved the deal. Montenegro, which like Kosovo was part of the former Yugoslavia, recognized Kosovo’s 2008 independence. Serbia has not.

The journey to President Hashim Thaci’s decree Friday has been difficult. In March opposition lawmakers used tear gas in the chamber to prevent the vote. However, it passed.

The opposition in Kosovo claims the country loses territory under the deal, a claim denied by the government and international experts.