Opposition party leaders in Kosovo dropped what appeared to be a smoke bomb in parliament Wednesday in an effort to thwart a vote ratifying a border deal with neighboring Montenegro.
The opposition MPs threw multiple smoke canisters into Kosovo’s Parliament, located in the capital city of Pristina. The tear gas was released as lawmakers were preparing to vote for the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, according to reports.
The tear gas attack forced lawmakers to leave the chamber.
Opposition MPs in Kosovo release tear gas into Parliament to prevent a vote pic.twitter.com/8mm6yLdhmc
— The Independent (@Independent) March 21, 2018
Reuters reported the Vetevendosje party, the opposition party, opposes the agreement, as it believes Kosovo will cede roughly 30 square miles of territory to Montenegro. The party has used similar tactics before.
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci signed the border deal in 2015, but it requires approval from the country’s parliament. Approval of the deal would allow citizens of Kosovo to travel visa-free to the European Union.
The U.S. ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delawie denounced Wednesday’s events.
“Violence as a political tool has no place in #Kosovo. I urge MPs to reconvene and finish the vote today,” he tweeted.
Violence as a political tool has no place in #Kosovo. I urge MPs to reconvene and finish the vote today.
— Amb. Greg Delawie (@USAmbKosovo) March 21, 2018
“I would urge MPs 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. This issue has tied things up for too long now. It is time for Kosovo to move forward,” Delawie said in a subsequent tweet.
I would urge MPs 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. This issue has tied things up for too long now. It is time for Kosovo to move forward. https://t.co/qh0GZiDhPP pic.twitter.com/lpnFdPGQDi
— Amb. Greg Delawie (@USAmbKosovo) March 21, 2018
