Even tear gas didn’t stop this parliament from passing a border deal

Associated Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Lawmakers use tear gas in parliament to prevent vote Kosovo's opposition party threw tear gas to disrupt a parliament vote on a border demarcation deal with Montenegro.

PRISTINA, Kosovo –

Lawmakers in Kosovo approved a border demarcation deal with Montenegro despite the opposition’s use of tear gas to prevent a vote.

The 120-seat parliament voted 80-11 to endorse the deal, which required at least two-thirds, or 80 votes, to pass.

The deal is set as a precondition by the European Union for Kosovo’s citizens to freely travel within its visa-free travel zone known as Schengen.

The opposition Self-Determination party, which used tear in the Kosovo Assembly chambers to stop the vote, says Kosovo loses territory under the agreement. The previous government and international experts deny that.

The agreement first was reached in August 2015.

Montenegro, which has approved the deal, recognizes Kosovo’s 2008 independence from Serbia, which Belgrade still rejects.