evidence: Serbia’s own aspirations to join the EU have been held back by its refusal to recognize Kosovo. Belgrade believes a territorial agreement would benefit Serbia’s prospects for accession to the EU while proponents of the plan in Kosovo view it as an opportunity to garner international recognition that would allow Kosovo to join the United Nations and pave the road to EU accession. [...] The United States and the EU have long opposed the idea of land swaps to resolve the dispute between Kosovo and Serbia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently said "the territorial integrity of the states of the Western Balkans has been established and is inviolable." [...] Haradinaj: We have a lot of interest to work together on the economy. Recognition [of Kosovo by Serbia] will open the door for partnering between ourselves and also to a longstanding peace. The wounds of the past are still present. A peace treaty between us and Serbia will really open not only the gate to the EU, but also to the stability of our region.