International governments are divided on the issue of recognition of the independence of Kosovo from Serbia, which was declared in 2008.[1][2] The Government of Serbia does not diplomatically recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state,[3] although the two countries have enjoyed normalised economic relations since 2020 and have agreed not to try to interfere with the other's accession to the European Union.
In 2013, the two sides began to normalise relations in accordance with the Brussels Agreement. In September 2020, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to normalise economic ties.[5][6] Serbia also agreed to suspend its efforts to encourage other states to either not recognise Kosovo or to revoke recognition for one year, while Kosovo agreed to not apply for new membership of international organisations for the same period.[7] In February 2023, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to a proposed normalisation agreement in European Union mediated dialogue and through further negotiations accepted a roadmap and timescale for its implementation the following month. Under the terms of the agreement, Serbia committed to not oppose the membership of Kosovo in international organisations and recognised Kosovo's national symbols and official documents including passports, diplomas, vehicle registration plates, and customs stamps.[8][9][10]
A number of states expressed concern over the unilateral character of Kosovo's declaration, or explicitly announced that they would not recognise an independent Kosovo. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) remains divided on this issue: of its five members with veto power, three (France, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have recognised the declaration of independence, while the People's Republic of China has expressed concern, urging the continuation of the previous negotiation framework. The Russian Federation (which has close ties with Serbia[11]) has rejected the declaration and considers it illegal,[12] and does not recognize Kosovo's independence.[11]
Although EU member states individually decide whether to recognise Kosovo, by consensus the EU has commissioned the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) to ensure peace and continued external oversight. Due to the dispute in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the reconfiguration of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and partial handover to the EULEX mission met with difficulties. In spite of Russian and Serbian protests, the UN Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon proceeded with the reconfiguration plan. On 15 July 2008, he stated: "In the light of the fact that the Security Council is unable to provide guidance, I have instructed my Special Representative to move forward with the reconfiguration of UNMIK... in order to adapt UNMIK to a changed reality." According to the Secretary-General, the "United Nations has maintained a position of strict neutrality on the question of Kosovo's status".[14]
On 26 November 2008, the UNSC gave the green light to the deployment of the EULEX mission in Kosovo. The EU mission is to assume police, justice, and customs duties from the UN, while operating under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (UNSCR 1244) that first placed Kosovo under UN administration in 1999.[15]
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Recognition of Kosovo by UN member states over time (total members 193)
Within the EU, key supporters of Kosovo's statehood include France[19] and Germany.[20] The strongest opponents to Kosovo's statehood within the EU include Spain[21][22] and Greece.[23] The Spanish non-recognition of Kosovo is linked to the Spanish government's opposition to the Basque and Catalan independence movements,[21] while the Greek non-recognition of Kosovo is linked to the Cyprus dispute and Greece's historic relationship to Serbia.[23]
Due to Serbian claims that Kosovo is part of its sovereign territory, its initial reactions included recalling ambassadors from countries that recognised Kosovo for several months, indicting Kosovar leaders on charges of high treason, and litigating the case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Serbia also expelled ambassadors from countries that recognised Kosovo after the UNGA vote adopting Serbia's initiative to seek an ICJ advisory opinion.[24]
In December 2012, as a result of European Union mediated negotiations on Kosovo's status, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić agreed to appoint a liaison officer to Kosovo.[25] In March 2013, Dačić said that while his government would never recognise Kosovo's independence, "the Serbian president cannot go to Kosovo, nor the prime minister, nor ministers, nor the police or army. Serbs can only leave Kosovo. That's how much Kosovo is ours and what our constitution and laws mean there".[26]
In April 2013, Kosovo and Serbia reached an agreement to normalise relations, and thereby allow both nations to eventually join the European Union.[27] On 17 June 2013 Kosovo and Serbia exchanged liaison officers.[28]
However, the process of normalisation stalled in November 2018, after which Kosovo imposed a 100 percent tax on importing Serbian goods. On 1 April 2020, Kosovo withdrew the tax.[29]
In September 2020, under an agreement brokered by the United States, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to normalise economic ties.[5][6] Serbia also agreed to suspend its efforts to encourage other states to either not recognise Kosovo or to revoke recognition for one year, while Kosovo agreed to not apply for new membership of international organisations for the same period.[7]
In February 2023, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to a proposed normalisation agreement in European Union mediated dialogue and through further negotiations accepted a roadmap and timescale for its implementation the following month. Under the terms of the agreement, Serbia committed to not oppose the membership of Kosovo in international organisations and recognised Kosovo's national symbols and official documents including passports, diplomas, vehicle registration plates, and customs stamps.[8][9][10]
In December 2023, the head of Serbia's office for Kosovo, Petar Petkovic, announced that the Serbian Government has made a decision to enable the free movement of all vehicles with Kosovo plates into Serbian territory, starting from Jan. 1, 2024.[30][31]
On 27 March 2008, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić said Serbia would request the International Court of Justice to review the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence.[32] On 8 October 2008, the UN General Assembly adopted Serbia's resolution,[33] with 77 votes in favor, 6 votes against and 74 abstentions.[34] The court delivered its opinion on 22 July 2010; by a vote of 10 to 4, it declared that "the adoption of the declaration of independence of 17 February 2008 did not violate general international law because international law contains no 'prohibition on declarations of independence', nor did the adoption of the declaration of independence violate UN Security Council Resolution 1244, since this did not describe Kosovo's final status, nor had the Security Council reserved for itself the decision on final status.[35][36][37]
Positions taken by UN member states and other entities
According to a 2020 study, states which have stronger ties to the United States are more likely to recognise Kosovo, whereas states with stronger ties to Russia are less likely to recognise Kosovo.[38]
Countries which recognise Kosovo as an independent state
Member states of the United Nations
same day recognitions are sorted alphabetically by default
↑ In June 2018, following a meeting between Liberian Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Milton Findley and Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia was published which stated in part that it "annuls its letter of recognition of Kosovo."[78] A few days later, Liberia's MFA posted a notice on its website saying that it wished "to refute reports in some international and social media of its revocation of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kosovo."[79]
↑ In a letter dated 21 November 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau informed Kosovo that it had withdrawn its recognition.[114][115][116] On 2 February 2018, Kosovo's MFA announced that it had received a new note verbale from Guinea-Bissau stating that the previous note revoking recognition had no effect.[117][118][non-primary source needed]
The Serbian Foreign Ministry claimed in March 2020 that a total of 18 countries had withdrawn their recognition: aside from the 10 listed above, Serbia also mentioned: Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Palau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Suriname.[196][197][198] In some of those cases, Kosovo's foreign ministry has called it "fake news" and "Serbian propaganda".[199][200][201][202]
Several of these withdrawals have been disputed by Kosovo, whose foreign ministry continues to list the following as countries that recognise the independence of Kosovo:[120]
Ghana recognized the independence of the Republic of Kosovo in 2012. Media reports in 2019 claimed that Ghana had withdrawn recognition of Kosovo. However the 2022 Kosovo Diplomatic List states that the Ghanaian embassy in Ankara, Turkey is accredited to the Republic of Kosovo with the Ghanaian ambassador in Ankara being described as "Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary - Non resident in Pristina".[203]
The Comoros recognised the independence of Kosovo in May 2009. In November 2018 it was claimed by Russian and Serbian sources that Comoros had withdrawn recognition of Kosovo following a meeting between its foreign minister and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. In February 2021, former President of Kosovo Behgjet Pacolli released a note verbale from the foreign ministry of Comoros stating that Comoros continues to recognise the independence of Kosovo.[204][failed verification][97]
In October 2018, Serbian foreign minister claimed that Lesotho had withdrawn it recognition, however later that month the Prime Minister of Lesotho refuted these claims and confirmed his country still recognized Kosovo and wanted to deepen relations between both countries.[205] In December 2023, President Vjosa Osmani met King Letsie III of Lesotho, stating they were committed to deepening relations between their countries and working to address global challenges.[206]
Guinea-Bissau withdrew recognition in November 2017, but in 2018 reversed this decision and sent a note verbale to the government of Kosovo stating that the previous note revoking recognition had no effect.[118] Relations between the two countries were again confirmed in January 2023.[207]
Just a few days after media reports emerged of its withdrawal of recognition in June 2018, the government of Liberia issued a statement saying that "the Republic of Liberia wishes to refute reports in some international and social media of its revocation of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kosovo" and stating that such reports were false.[208][209]
Suriname recognized the independence of Kosovo on July 8, 2016. On 27 October 2017, the Serbian Foreign Minister at the time, Ivica Dačić, claimed that the recognition was withdrawn on October 27, 2017.[210][211][212][213] On June 10, 2022, Kosovo's Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz met with her Surinamese counterpart Albert Ramdin, where, according to Kosovo, they talked about enhancing the cooperation between the two countries.[214] However, during his visit to Belgrade in July 2023, minister Ramdin said that his country supports Serbian territorial integrity.[215]
On January 21, 2019, the Serbian Foreign Ministry claimed that Palau had withdrawn its recognition of Kosovo. However, on September 23, 2022, the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, met with Palau's Foreign Minister Gustav Aitaro and both sides reconfirmed their bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation.[216][217][218] In October 2022, Palau's Vice-President Uduch Sengebau Senior made an official visit to Kosovo, where she met with President Osmani, and the sides confirmed their willingness to further deepen their bilateral relations.[219] Kosovo's ambassador in Tokyo, Sabri Kiçmari, presented credentials to the president of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr., in October 2023, confirming formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.[220][221][222]
There were conflicting reports on whether Oman has recognised Kosovo, or de-recognised it.[223][224] In February 2011, Kosovo announced that it received a note from Oman which stated that it "will welcome Kosovo's membership to the United Nations, as well as to other international and regional organizations" and that the countries had established diplomatic relations.[223] However, in September 2011 Kosovo's deputy Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi stated that "Oman never recognised us".[225] Later that month, Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Oman's Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah had informed them of his country's recognition of Kosovo.[224] Kosovo's chargé d'affaires in Saudi Arabia was quoted in 2012 as saying that Oman had not recognised Kosovo.[226] In September 2022, the foreign ministry of Oman officially issued a press release explicitly stating that the Omani foreign minister had met with the president and foreign minister of the "Republic of Kosovo", implying that Oman does indeed recognise the Republic of Kosovo as an independent state.[121]
Other recognition withdrawal claims by Serbia
On 4 January 2023, Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić claimed that nine new countries had withdrawn recognition: Antigua and Barbuda, Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Gabon, Guinea, Libya, Maldives, Saint Lucia, and Somalia.[227] Kosovo's foreign ministry said they had no notification of any recognition withdrawals claimed by Vučić.[228] Following the claims, Kosovo diplomats met with diplomats from Eswatini, Gabon, Libya, the Maldives, Somalia and Antigua and Barbuda and stated that those countries had not derecognised Kosovo, refuting Vučić's claims.[229][230] A spokesperson for the president of the Maldives refuted Serbian claims that the Maldives had de-recognised Kosovo, explicitly labeling Serbia's claims as "false".[231] Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu also sent greetings to the president and prime minister of Kosovo on the occasion of Kosovo's independence day on 17 February 2024, confirming the continuation of diplomatic recognition.[232] On 11 December 2023 Kosovo's president Vjosa Osmani met Abshir Omar Huruse, the foreign minister of Somalia, and the sides reaffirmed their bilateral relations.[233]
Countries which have not recognised Kosovo as an independent state
Diplomatic recognition is an explicit, official, unilateral act in the foreign policy of states in regards to another party. Not having issued such a statement does not necessarily mean the state has objections to the existence, independence, sovereignty or government of the other party. Some states, by custom or policy, do not extend formal recognitions, on the grounds that a vote for membership in the UN or another organisation whose membership is limited to states is itself an act of recognition.
In March 2008, Mourad Medelci, Algerian Foreign Minister, stated that while Algeria sympathised with all Muslim countries, it believed that international laws had to be adhered to.[234] A year later, Medelci reaffirmed the Algerian position of Kosovo being an integral part of Serbia.[235]
On 23 June 2008, Angolan president José Eduardo dos Santos sent a message to his Serbian counterpart, Boris Tadić, regarding Kosovo's declaration of independence. It reiterated the solidarity of dos Santos and Angola to Serbia in regard to the preservation of its sovereignty and integrity.[236]
In February 2008, Argentine Foreign Minister, Jorge Taiana said "if we were to recognize Kosovo, which has declared its independence unilaterally, without an agreement with Serbia, we would set a dangerous precedent that would seriously threaten our chances of a political settlement in the case of the Falkland Islands".[237] He said that Argentina will not recognise it because it "supports the principle of territorial integrity", and he stressed that UNSCR 1244 called for the mutual agreement of both parties to solve the dispute.[238] At the International Court of Justice, the Argentine delegation argued that Kosovo's declaration of independence "breaches the obligation to respect the territorial integrity of Serbia, the obligation of peaceful settlement of disputes and the principle of non-intervention", and that any solution "did not, and could not, abolish Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo".[239]
On 12 March 2008, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan stated that Armenia's possible recognition of Kosovo's independence would not strain Armenia–Russia relations, but also noted that "Kosovo recognition issue needs serious discussion... Armenia has always been an adherent to the right of nations to self-determination and in this aspect we welcome Kosovo's independence",[240] but in September 2008 Sargsyan stated that Armenia had not recognized Kosovo's independence because "Armenia can not recognize another entity in the same situation as long as it has not recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic".[240][241] On 4 April 2011 Sargsyan said that Armenia would not recognise the independence of Kosovo against Serbia's interests.[242]
In February 2008, a spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, Khazar Ibrahim, said "We view this illegal act as being in contradiction with international law. Proceeding from this, Azerbaijan's position was clear: it does not recognise [Kosovo's] independence".[243] Azerbaijan has also withdrawn peacekeepers from Kosovo.[244] In 2009, Azerbaijan said, regarding Kosovo, that entities that declare secession while violating the internal laws of the state can not be considered to be states, and that a fait accompli may not be accepted.[245] In May 2010, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated that the proclaimed independence of Kosovo was unilateral and an illegal move.[246]
In April 2010, Bahamian Foreign Minister Brent Symonette said "We have considered and continue to consider the situation on the ground on both sides and maintain a status of awaiting the outcome of negotiations between Kosovo and its neighbouring countries before committing support to either of the two countries".[247] On 26 September 2012, the Bahamian Foreign Minister, Frederick A. Mitchell, said that his state had sympathy for the independence of Kosovo, and that the Bahamas would support the state of Kosovo.[248]
In February 2008, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko wrote in a letter to Serbian President Boris Tadić that "Belarus expresses its solidarity with the Serbians' intention to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity".[249] The National Assembly of Belarus had issued a statement condemning the declaration of independence and encouraged all nations to call the move "illegal" under international law.[250][251]
In February 2008, Bolivian president Evo Morales refused to recognise Kosovo's independence and compared Kosovo separatists to the leaders of four eastern Bolivian states who had demanded greater autonomy from the federal government.[253] In a 4 December 2009 hearing at the ICJ, the Bolivian delegation said that Kosovo was an integral part of Serbia, that the Republic of Kosovo did not exist, and that a "unilateral declaration of independence cannot change the international regime established by the UNSC resolution, or decide the outcome of negotiations".[254]
Bosnia and Herzegovina's reaction to Kosovo's independence has been mixed. Bosniak and Croat members of the Presidency want to recognise it, but Serb members refuse it, citing the possibility of secession of Bosnia's Republika Srpska on the same grounds of national self-determination (the Kosovo precedent).[255]
In October 2010, Botswana's foreign minister Phandu Skelemani said that Botswana had not yet made a decision on recognition of Kosovo pending a ruling of the European Union, and that Kosovo had promised support in the establishment of a medical school in return for its recognition.[256]
Brazil has not recognised the independence of Kosovo, stating that any change should be reached under the auspices of the United Nations and the legal framework of UNSCR 1244.[citation needed]
On 6 October 2008, the Europe Department Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, Kao Samreth, stressed that Cambodia does not wish to encourage secession in any country and therefore does not support the independence of Kosovo. Kao drew parallels to independence claims for South Ossetia and stated that Cambodia would not encourage tension within a country by supporting independence claims.[citation needed]In February 2009, Secretary of State at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, Ouch Borith, reiterated an earlier Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement that Kosovo was a sensitive issue which they are studying carefully. Borith questioned, "if Kosovo is recognized, what about South Ossetia?"[citation needed] In April 2009, it was stated that Cambodia had no plans to file a brief (either supportive of Serbia or Kosovo) in the ICJ case.[citation needed]
In January 2011, the General Secretary of Cameroon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, reportedly said that his government could not deny that Kosovo's independence was irreversible, but that it would have to be careful on how to proceed in order not to create a situation that would damage Cameroon's interests and position in the world.[citation needed] In 2018, Cameroon was one of 51 countries to vote against Kosovo's bid to joint Interpol, effectively blocking it from becoming a member country of the organization.[257]
In December 2010, Cape Verde's National Director of Political Affairs and Cooperation, José Luis Rocha, said that his country will wait until there was consensus at the United Nations Security Council before considering its position.[258]
On 29 February 2008, writing in his personal "Reflections of Fidel" column, which was published in the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba, Granma Internacional, Fidel Castro accused Javier Solana of being the ideological father of Kosovo's "independence" (Castro's quotes) and, by doing so, of putting at risk the ethnic cohesion and the very state integrity of Spain or the UK, both of which experienced separatist movements of their own.[261]
On 11 February 2008, the Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, stated that "Cyprus will never recognize a unilateral declaration of independence outside the U.N. framework, and in particular by side-stepping the role of the Security Council".[262] This stance was reiterated in October 2009 by The President of Cyprus Dimitris Christofias, who said Cyprus would not recognise Kosovo, even if all other EU members did so.[263] Cyprus recognises travel documents issued by Kosovo.[264]
In response to a request from the University of Oxford regarding the analysis of developments related to the independence of Kosovo, in August 2008 the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry stated that there should be "unrestricted compliance with the rules and principles of the United Nations Charter and International Law".[265]
On 1 September 2010, Equatorial Guinea's Permanent Representative to the UN, Anatolio Ndong Mba, said during a press conference that his country's foreign policy favours Kosovo's independence.[266] In September 2011, the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is reported to have responded positively to a request for recognition by Kosovo.[267] During a visit of Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue to Belgrade on 8 June 2022, it was stated that Equatorial Guinea has not changed its position about not recognizing Kosovo.[268]
On 4 September 2008, the Director of the Euro-Americas Division at the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tsehaye Fassil, said that his Government had not decided whether it would recognise Kosovo's independence.[citation needed]
In January 2009, Ethiopia's Ambassador to Austria reportedly stated that the Ethiopian government would come to a decision over the recognition of Kosovo "at the right time".[269] According to Serbia, Skënder Hyseni, Kosovo's Foreign Minister, and other members of his delegation were denied entry into Ethiopia in January 2010. They allegedly wanted to attend an African Union summit in order to lobby African nations to recognise Kosovo. The Serbian Foreign Minister, Vuk Jeremić, said that their visas were denied after pressure by the Serbian government. Jeremić, who attended the summit, thanked his Ethiopian counterpart for denying the visas and supporting Serbia's cause. However, Kosovo's Foreign Ministry denies that they submitted any requests for visas.[270] In December 2014, amid a diplomatic dispute with Serbia, Ethiopia threatened to recognise Kosovo.[271]
The Foreign Minister of Georgia, David Bakradze, said on 18 February 2008 that Tbilisi would not recognise Kosovo's independence,.[272][273][274] On 29 March 2008 the prime minister, Lado Gurgenidze, gave a recorded interview in Estonia, in which he clearly said in English that as Georgia's friends have recognised Kosovo, it was only natural that eventually Georgia would do likewise. The printed publication of the interview elicited demands by the opposition to impeach him, and the government spokesman stated that the prime minister was misinterpreted, after which the Estonian paper Postimees, which conducted and printed the interview, released the audio publicly.[275]
As of 2022, Greece does not recognise the independence of Kosovo. In 2018, Greece was one of 51 countries that voted against Kosovo's bid to join Interpol.[257] Greece recognises travel documents issued by Kosovo.[264]
In March 2008, the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Haroldo Rodas, had said that he had objected to the recognition of Kosovo in deference to Russian concerns.At a meeting on 26 March 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the Ambassador of Guatemala to the UN, Gert Rosenthal, said that his country's government was carefully studying the developments in Kosovo, and the ongoing preparations to present a case to the ICJ. He also said that Guatemala was working with others in Latin America to reach a decision.[276]
Indonesia's reaction to Kosovo's independence has been mixed. In 2018, Indonesia was one of 51 countries that voted against Kosovo's bid to join Interpol.[257]
On 13 March 2008, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran, after considering the region's issues and conditions, had not recognized the independence of Kosovo.[277]
At a meeting on 28 May 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of Iraq to the UN, Hamid Al Bayati, reportedly said that Kosovo deserves to be recognised by other states and that Iraq's decision to recognise would come at a suitable time.[278]
The Jamaican Government in 2009 refused a request from the United States to recognise Kosovo. On 23 July 2009 the Under Secretary for Multilateral Affairs at the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Vilma McNish, indicated that she expected no change in the government of Jamaica's decision not to extend formal diplomatic recognition to Kosovo.[279]Following April 2010 meetings with Jamaican officials, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić stated that Serbia could count on Jamaica's continued support in the "preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity".[280]On 20 February 2020, the president of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi issued a statement on Twitter thanking Jamaica for recognizing Kosovo as a sovereign and independent country. However, this was denied by Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson-Smith the same day.[281][282][283]
Kazakhstan has opposed the independence of Kosovo and has taken Serbia's position on the issue. In December 2008, Kazakh prime minister Karim Masimov stated that "We have an official position. Kazakhstan did not recognise Kosovo and does not recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We consider that borders are defined and Kazakhstan will not recognise any new states".[284]In 2022, during a public discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, while stating that Kazakhstan would not recognise the independence of breakaway states of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in Eastern Ukraine, also stated that Kazakhstan will also not recognise the independence of Kosovo and other states with limited recognition, claiming that "if the right to self-determination is put into practice all over the world, then there would be chaos."[285]
At a meeting on 30 July 2008 between Kenyan and Serbian Foreign Ministers, Moses Wetangula and Vuk Jeremić, Wetangula spoke of Kenya's principled position regarding Kosovo and the territorial integrity of Serbia.[286] Following a September 2010 meeting with Kenyan politicians, Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha said that Kenya had promised to decide positively regarding recognition of Kosovo.[287] In March 2023, Kenya accepted that passports issued by Kosovo are valid travel documents.[288] In September 2023, during the UNGA 78th session, President William Ruto of Kenya and President Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo held a bilateral meeting. Kosovo's president thanked her Kenyan counterpart for recognizing Kosovo's passports and the parties discussed the possibilities of further deepening their cooperation.[289] Kenyan foreign affairs minister Alfred Mutua confirmed his country's readiness to formally recognize Kosovo stating "117 countries have already recognized Kosovo as an independent state. We do not see any problem with recognizing Kosovo."[290][291]
In February 2008, a statement issued by Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry stated that Kyrgyzstan would not recognise Kosovo's independence and considered it a dangerous precedent for separatist organisations in the world.[293][294]
On 27 February 2008, the Lao Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that "The Lao PDR urged all sides to respect the resolution of the UN Security Council No 1244, dated 10 June 1999, recognizing Kosovo as a Serbian province".[295]
On 29 November 2018, Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil visited Belgrade and affirmed in a joint press conference with his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dačić, that Lebanon supported "the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Serbia.[296][297]
Following the August 2012 publication of a note verbale recognising Kosovo's independence, purportedly signed by acting President of Mali, Dioncounda Traoré,[298] state run media in Mali issued a statement in which the Presidency of Mali denied recognising Kosovo and claimed that the document was a fabrication.[299] Pacolli claimed that the Malian Army, who had recently seized control of the state in a coup d'état due to dissatisfaction over the government's handling of their own separatist uprising in Azawad, had intervened to reverse the recognition granted by the civilian president.[300] On Pacolli's return to Mali to seek clarification on the issue, state leaders promised to reconfirm their recognition.[301]
On 8 May 2008, Mauritian Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, Anand Neewoor, stated that the Government of Mauritius would not recognise Kosovo any time soon because of their concerns that it would have implications for their "fight to regain the Chagos Islands".[citation needed] In June 2009, the Mauritian prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam reportedly called the US embassy in Port Louis to say that he had decided that Mauritius would recognise Kosovo, despite opposition from his foreign ministry.[citation needed] However, the recognition did not take place.
On 19 February 2008, the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Mexico was closely paying attention to the situation as it develops in order to adopt, at an opportune moment, a position on the declaration of independence. The same statement called on all parties to agree peacefully, through dialogue, on the final status of Kosovo and to reach an agreement on the rights of minorities and the maintenance of peace and security in the Balkans.[302] Mexican government officials have since then said that Mexico does not intend to recognise Kosovo.[303]
Kosovo's declaration creates "deep concerns in the Republic of Moldova," the Moldovan government said in a February 2008 statement, and that Moldova would not recognise Kosovo's independence.[304] In December 2013, Moldovan Defence Minister Vitalie Marinuta stated on a visit to Serbia that Moldova will not recognise Kosovo.[305] In the lead up to the 2nd summit of the European Political Community which Moldova is to host on 1 June 2023, legislation has been progressed in the Moldovan parliament that if enacted will recognize Kosovar passports as valid travel documents allowing holders to apply for electronic visas to enter Moldova.[306]
On 8 May 2009, Kosovo's president Fatmir Sejdiu met Nyamaa Enkhbold, the Mongolian Deputy Parliament Speaker, to request recognition of Kosovo by Mongolia. Enkhbold reportedly promised to deal with the request once he had returned home.[307] In a 17 July 2012 meeting with Kosovo's deputy prime minister, Edita Tahiri, both the Mongolian president and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and Gombojav Zandanshatar, said that Mongolia would consider recognising the independence of Kosovo.[308]
In June 2011, Moroccan government representatives explained that they had difficulty in recognising Kosovo due to the political context of Western Sahara.[309]
In February 2008, Mozambican Deputy Foreign Minister Henrique Banze said in reference to Kosovo's declaration of independence, "We shall wait for the appropriate moment. It's a very sensitive matter and like all matters of this kind, it demands a lot of thought. Our government will work so that it may make the most appropriate decision in this case".[310] In September 2012, Mozambique's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-Operation, Oldemiro Julio Marques Baloi, said that his government would reconsider recognising Kosovo.[311]
In January 2014, it was reported that Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent a note to officials in Kosovo informing them of that they had recognised Kosovo's independence. However, Pacolli and Hoxhaj quickly denied that they had received any such note.[312]
In September 2010, following talks with Namibian officials, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić stated that Namibia has no intentions of recognising Kosovo. The Foreign Minister of Namibia Utoni Nujoma said that the most important thing was to continue to search for a peaceful solution to the problem of Kosovo and that the opportunities should be sought for reconciliation between nations in the Balkans.[313]
A leaked 2009 cable from the US embassy in Kathmandu states that during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher, the Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Gyan Chandra Acharya, said that the Government of Nepal had yet to decide if it would recognise the independence of Kosovo. Acharya acknowledged that Nepal understood the US interest in Kosovo's recognition but could not make a decision at the time because of regional sensitivities.[citation needed]
In February 2008, Nicaragua's Foreign Minister, Samuel Santos, said that his country maintained a position of "observation" to the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo. "Nicaragua is watching the issue of Kosovo's independence, we have friends who are in agreement with this independence and other friends who disagree, there are some who are saying that [independence] is a threat to peace in that tender area. We just look at [this case and] we have no opinion on this issue."[314]
In July 2009, Umaru Yar'Adua, President of Nigeria, said that Nigeria will not recognise Kosovo as an independent nation. He said the decision not to recognise Kosovo was informed by Nigeria's historical experience of the civil war of 1967 to 1970.[315]
In February 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Paraguay published a statement saying that Paraguay took note of the independence declaration and was analysing the situation.[316]In April 2010, it was reported that the Paraguayan president had told Kosovan pilot James Berisha, who was on an awareness-raising journey around Central and South America, that Paraguay had already recognised Kosovo's independence but had not made this known so as not to jeopardise their relationship with Russia.[317][bettersourceneeded]
In February 2008, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said in a statement: "Considering the existing sensibilities in the region, continued dialogue should be encouraged among all the parties concerned to ensure regional stability". He also said the Philippines was not willing to recognise Kosovo as an independent nation.[318] On 19 February 2008, Romulo stated that recognition could complicate peace talks with Muslim separatists in Mindanao. He said that "while the Philippines does not oppose the idea of independence for Kosovo, it would prefer a settlement... taking into account the internationally accepted principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity".[319]In a November 2012 meeting with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, Rafael E. Seguis, pledged support for Kosovo, saying that his country has full understanding for the independence of Kosovo and that he would consider the request for recognition.[320]
On 18 February 2008, a joint session of the Parliament of Romania voted not to recognise Kosovo's independence by 357 to 27, with support from all parties except the UDMR. Furthermore, the President and the Prime Minister opposed recognition.[321][322] Still, in May 2015 Prime Minister Victor Ponta stated that "in 2008, Romania decided not to recognize Kosovo. However, things have changed since then. Governments have changed and some new decision on the recognition of Kosovo could be made... because many things have changed in Kosovo since 2008".[323] Romania recognises travel documents issued by Kosovo.[264]
Russia has strongly opposed Kosovo's independence. But in 2014, when it recognised the Declaration of Independence of the Republic of Crimea, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited Kosovo's declaration and the ICJ decision as evidence that unilateral declarations of independence are not inconsistent with international law[324] (the Kosovo independence precedent).
On 11 February 2009, the Director of International Organisations at Rwanda's Foreign Ministry, Ben Rutsinga, said that the African Union had no unified position on Kosovo independence and that Rwanda would not reach an "individual determination" in advance of such a unified position.[citation needed] On 18 September 2009, the Rwandan Foreign Minister, Rosemary Museminali, said that some countries would be likely to criticise a Rwandan recognition of Kosovo, accusing Rwanda of taking that stance in order to lay the basis for a similar breakaway by parts of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. She added that the Government of Kosovo had requested a meeting with her but she had not responded.[citation needed]
In February 2008, when asked about Kosovo, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, said that "if the people of a country want independence, then I think they should have it".[citation needed]At a meeting in August 2011 with U.S. Representative, Eliot Engel, both St. Vincent & the Grenadines' Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ralph Gonsalves and Louis Straker, took on board the case for recognition of Kosovo and promised to review the issue.[325]
In March 2012, São Tomé and Príncipe's Council of Ministers under then Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada adopted a resolution recognising Kosovo's independence.[326] In January 2013, President Manuel Pinto da Costa issued a communication stating that the recognition was invalid as he had not been consulted on the decision, as required by the country's Constitution.[327][328][329][330] New Prime Minister Gabriel Costa said that the process of recognition was an anomalous situation.[331] Kosovo Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, insisted that the recognition remains valid.[332] First Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Behgjet Pacolli said that he received a note verbale recognising Kosovo from Trovoada and that it was a closed issue.[333]
In September 2012, the Seychelles' Foreign Minister, Jean-Paul Adam, said that his country was not against Kosovo's independence, and that formal recognition would occur very soon.[334][335]In September 2014, Adam said that Seychelles would consider the recognition of Kosovo with utmost seriousness.[336]
Slovakia has not recognised Kosovo, but has given indications that its stance could change in the future, especially if independence will be agreed with Serbia.[citation needed] Slovakia recognises travel documents issued by Kosovo.[264]
In July 2011, Kosovo's First deputy prime minister, Behgjet Pacolli, was invited to attend South Sudan's independence ceremony.[337]In September 2012, South Sudan's vice-president, Riek Machar Teny, invited Kosovo's prime minister, Hashim Thaçi, to South Sudan to discuss building bilateral relations between the two countries.[338] During an October 2012 meeting with Pacolli, South Sudan's president Salva Kiir Mayardit stated his country's desire to maintain friendly relations with Kosovo. He reiterated the position that South Sudan supports the right of the citizens of Kosovo to build and consolidate their state.[339] In September 2013 the Foreign Minister of South Sudan, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, confirmed that the recognition of Kosovo was a matter of time.[340]In April 2014, Benjamin said that positive news in regards to improving relations with Kosovo should be expected.[341] In September 2014, Benjamin said that South Sudan was considering with seriousness the recognition of the independence and would follow all the procedures in order to do so.[342]On 2 March 2024, the Kosovo's president Vjosa Osmani met South Sudanese foreign minister James Pitia Morgan and discussed the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries.[343] A statement from the South Sudanese foreign ministry referred to Osmani as the "President of the Republic of Kosovo" implying acknowledgement of the Republic of Kosovo as a state.[344]
Spain has been the only major country in Western Europe that has not recognised Kosovo, originally because of objections to the legality of its unilateral declaration of independence under international law, and also due to concerns about possible implications regarding its own issues with domestic independence movements.[22] In 2022, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reaffirmed Spain's nonrecognition of Kosovo, stating that their declaration of independence violated international law.[345] In January 2024 with liberalisation of Visas for Kosovo passports in the Schengen area, Spain now recognises Passports of the Republic of Kosovo.[346]
In February 2008, the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka called Kosovo's declaration of independence a violation of the UN Charter and emphasised its concern that the act "could set an unmanageable precedent in the conduct of international relations, the established global order of sovereign States and could thus pose a grave threat to international peace and security".[347]
At the summit of the OIC on 10 March 2008, Sudan opposed adoption of the document, proposed by Turkey, that would lend support to Kosovo's declaration of independence.[348] On 28 August 2008, Sudan's envoy to the UN Abdelmahmood Abdelhaleem stated that his government remains opposed to the independence of Kosovo.[349]
On 13 May 2009, Syria's ambassador to Serbia, Majed Shadoud, reported that Syrian president Bashar al-Assad told Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić that his country continues to oppose the recognition of the independence of Kosovo. Shadoud quoted al-Assad as saying "Syria urges a political solution for the situation in the Balkans and the Middle East and is opposed to any kind of divisions in both regions, regardless of whether religious, ethnic or nationalist reasons are in question".[350]In April 2012 a Syrian opposition delegation (Syrian National Council) led by Ammar Abdulhamid visited Pristina and promised to recognise Kosovo immediately if they triumph in Syria.[351]
In February 2008, the Chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Tajik Assembly of Representatives, Asomudin Saidov, stated that Tajikistan will not recognise Kosovo's independence as it considers it to be the violation of legal norms and a danger for Europe.[352] According to leaked US cables, Tajikistan does not want to take a position on Kosovo due to concerns with the precedent for Abkhazia and South Ossetia.[citation needed]
On 20 February 2008, Trinidad and Tobago's Foreign Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon took a positive stance and promised the US Ambassador that she would pursue the matter of Kosovo's recognition.[citation needed]At a meeting on 25 March 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the UN, Maria Annette Valere, said that her country knows how important the process of international recognition is for Kosovo, and that the government of Trinidad and Tobago would address the request for recognition in the near future.[353]
At a meeting in October 2012 with Albanian Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Edmond Panariti, the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Rafik Abdessalem, said that his government was seriously considering the issue of the recognition of Kosovo.[354]
In a September 2010 meeting with Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha, Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow said that his country would consider the recognition of Kosovo at the right time.[355]
In February 2008, a senior Ugandan official said that the Ugandan government was carefully studying Kosovo's declaration of independence before it makes a decision to recognise it as a state or not.[356][357]On 30 July 2023, President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni visited Belgrade and was thanked by his Serbian counterpart for his support to Serbian territorial integrity.[358]
Ukraine has, as of August 2020, not recognised the independence of Kosovo. On 6 August 2022, a resolution was presented in the Verkhovna Rada by the European Solidarity party which would recognise Kosovo as an independent state if passed.[359][360]
According to Últimas Noticias, in March 2008 "Uruguay has not recognised Kosovo's declaration of independence, because doing so would not be in accordance with its required three pillars of recognition: the principle of territorial integrity of states, achieving a solution through dialogue and consensus, and recognition by international organisations."[361]On 27 September 2010, Uruguayan Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Conde, stated that Uruguay would never recognise the independence of Kosovo.[362]
In February 2008, the Uzbek government stated that questions of independence should be decided in the UN assembly. As for Kosovo, Uzbekistan has yet to come up with a final position.[363]
In February 2008, Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez announced that Venezuela did not recognise Kosovo's independence on the grounds that it has been achieved through United States pressure.[253] On 24 March 2008, Chávez accused Washington of trying to "weaken Russia" by supporting independence for Kosovo. He called Kosovo's prime minister Hashim Thaçi, a "terrorist" put in power by the United States.[364]
In February 2008, the Vietnamese UN Ambassador Le Luong Minh "reaffirmed Vietnam policy that the fact that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is not a correct implementation of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 and that will only complicate the situation in Kosovo and the Balkan region".[365]In a 23 February 2011 meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić, Vietnamese deputy prime minister, Pham Gia Khiem, reaffirmed Vietnam's position of supporting "Kosovo-related issues under the United Nations Security Council's decree to gain comprehensive measures in terms of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and assuring the benefits of involved nations".[366] In a 24 November 2011 meeting with Albanian deputy prime minister and Foreign Minister, Edmond Haxhinasto, Vietnam's Foreign Minister, Pham Binh Minh, said that Vietnam was following the developments in Kosovo, and that Serbia and Kosovo should continue the dialogue to find common ground that will be acceptable to both parties.[367]
In March 2008, Zambian Foreign Minister, Kabinga Pande, said that Zambia had not decided its position on the declaration of Kosovo's independence. Pande said the government needed more time to analyse the matter.[368] According to leaked US cables, Zambia did not want to take a position on Kosovo due to concerns with the precedent for the Lozi tribe, an ethnic group primarily inhabiting western Zambia, which had an active separatist movement for independence from Zambia.[citation needed]
In April 2011, Claudius Nhema, Deputy Director of Protocol in the Foreign Ministry of Zimbabwe, reportedly told Kosovan pilot James Berisha that Zimbabwe would be considering Kosovo's recognition, but that they should wait for a recommendation from the Zimbabwean UN representative who should bring it to the Foreign Ministry after which it would be taken to Parliament for ratification.[369]In February 2013, the then Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, said that he would consider recognising Kosovo.[370]
In February 2008 Abkhazian president Sergei Bagapsh, regarded "the promotion of Kosovo by the U.S.A. and some European states towards the declaration of independence as a visible demonstration of the policy of double standards". "Why does not the world community put any attention to the violent actions against ethnic minorities living in Kosovo..., the lack of interethnic reconciliation...", Bagapsh noted. "We are solidly convinced of the fact that [now] we have got an even wider moral base for the recognition of our independence."[371] On 5 September 2008, the Abkhazian Foreign Minister Sergei Shamba said he was ready to recognise Kosovo's independence, "if Kosovo agrees to recognize our own (Abkhazia) independence, we will certainly recognize them as well".[372][373]
In February 2008, the President of Northern Cyprus Mehmet Ali Talat welcomed Kosovo's independence, but a presidential spokesman said that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was not planning to recognise Kosovo.[377][378][379]
In February 2008, two senior Palestinian officials representing the Mahmoud AbbasWest Bank-controlling government, who also are part of the team negotiating with Israel, disagreed on what the Kosovo events implied for Palestine. Yasser Abed Rabbo said, "If things are not going in the direction of continuous and serious negotiations, then we should take the step and announce our independence unilaterally. Kosovo is not better than us. We deserve independence even before Kosovo, and we ask for the backing of the United States and the European Union for our independence". Saeb Erekat responded that the Palestine Liberation Organization had already declared independence in 1988. "Now we need real independence, not a declaration," said Erekat, "We need real independence by ending the occupation. We are not Kosovo. We are under Israeli occupation and for independence we need to acquire independence".[380] During a July 2009 state visit to Serbia, President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, when discussing both the situations in the Middle East and Kosovo said, "We are looking for a way to resolve these problems in a peaceful way, by upholding international law. We cannot impose solutions nor can we accept imposed solutions. That is why we must negotiate".[381][382] In September 2011, during the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Belgrade, the Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour said that Palestine was a "typical foreign occupation which cannot be compared to the issue of Kosovo" as confirmed by international law and the UN.[383][384]
The Polisario Front, which governs the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, has stated that the speedy recognition of Kosovo's independence by many countries shows the double standards of the international community, considering that the Western Sahara issue remains unsolved after three decades.[385]
In 2010, the President of Somaliland, Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo, said, "We are heartened by Kosovo and what's happened to Southern Sudan that means it opens the door for us. The principle that countries should remain as they were at the time of independence has changed so why should it not work for us as well".[386]
In February 2008, the South Ossetian president, Eduard Kokoity, stated that it is not fair to compare this breakaway region with Kosovo because South Ossetians have far more right to a state of their own than Kosovo Albanians. He said that "Kosovo Albanians got independence after NATO's aggression on Serbia. Americans and NATO member countries took away Serbia's province. I feel sincerely for the Serb people," and that "Serbs had a well-organized state that provided for a normal life for Albanians. For this reason, what Americans have done to the Serbs was injustice".[387]
Transnistria has no policy towards Kosovo, but the Transnistrian Foreign Ministry has said that "The declaration and recognition of Kosovo are of fundamental importance, since thereby a new conflict settlement model has been established, based on the priority of people's right to self-determination. Pridnestrovie [Transnistria] holds that this model should be applicable to all conflicts which have similar political, legal, and economic bases".[388]
Positions taken by intergovernmental organisations
Intergovernmental organisations do not themselves diplomatically recognise any state; their member states do so individually. However, depending on the intergovernmental organisation's rules of internal governance and the positions of their member states, they may express positive or negative opinions as to declarations of independence, or choose to offer or withhold membership to a partially recognised state.
In May 2009, the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, welcomed a request by Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, to establish regular communications.[389] At a meeting on 18 June 2009 with Hyseni, the representative of the Arab League to the UN, Yahya Mahmassani, said that the Kosovo issue was being discussed at the Arab League, and that there would be gradual movement towards recognition as most Arab states are supportive of Kosovo.[390]
In August 2010, Albanian Parliament Speaker Jozefina Topalli received a letter from the chairman of the Grenadian Parliament, George J. McGuire, stating that CARICOM members would soon make a joint decision on the recognition of Kosovo.[391] On 19 August 2011, it was reported that the CARICOM members had made a joint decision to recognise Kosovo, but that each state would announce official recognition separately.[392]
Member states (10 / 15)
Antigua and Barbuda† • Bahamas • Barbados† • Belize† • Dominica • Grenada† • Guyana† • Haiti† • Jamaica • Montserrat‡ • Saint Kitts and Nevis† • Saint Lucia† • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines • Suriname† • Trinidad and Tobago
† – Have recognised Kosovo.
‡ – British Overseas Territory; the UK (which recognises Kosovo) represents its foreign affairs.
Kosovo plans to apply for membership in the CoE since it considers that it fulfills the statutory requirements to do so. If Kosovo receives positive votes from 2/3 of the member countries, it will be admitted to the CoE. Kosovo has already been recognised by 2/3 of the CoE members, thus it should be able to join the organisation.[393][394][395] In May 2012, the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the CoE, Edmond Haxhinasto, pledged to work for a stronger role for Kosovo during the Albanian chairmanship of the Council.[396] Haxhinasto added that Kosovo would in the near future be a part of the family of states of the Council of Europe.[397] However, the Secretary-General of the CoE, Thorbjørn Jagland, commented that membership of Kosovo depends on the willingness of members.[398]
The Council of Europe Development Bank's board of directors voted in favour of Kosovo's membership on 14 June 2013 during their meeting in Malta.[399] In June 2014, Kosovo became a member state of the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe.[400]
On 24 April 2023, the first phase of Kosovo's bid to join the Council of Europe was completed, when it was accepted by the Committee of Ministers with a two-thirds majority.[401]
A resolution, agreeing to the membership of Kosovo in the EBRD, was approved by its Board of Governors on 16 November 2012, providing that, by 17 December 2012, it has completed the necessary internal procedures.[402][403] On 8 February 2013, Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, and the President of EBRD, Suma Chakrabarti, signed an agreement on economic cooperation and activities.[404]
The EU, like other IGOs, does not possess the legal capacity to diplomatically recognise any state; member states do so individually. The majority of member states have recognised Kosovo. To articulate a common EU policy of either support or opposition to Kosovo's independence would require unanimity on the subject from all 27 member states, which does not presently exist. On 18 February 2008, the EU officially stated that it would "take note" of the resolution of the Kosovo assembly.[405] The EU sent a EULEX mission to Kosovo, which included a special representative and 2,000 police and judicial personnel.[406][407] Although the European Parliament has not been formally vested with the authority to shape the EU's foreign policy, it was seen to be expressing its acceptance of Kosovan independence when it hosted the Kosovan Assembly in an interparliamentary meeting on 30 May 2008. This was also the first time Kosovo's flag was officially hoisted at an EU institution.[408][409] On 5 February 2009, the European Parliament adopted a resolution that encouraged all EU member states to recognise Kosovo. The resolution also welcomed the successful deployment of EULEX across Kosovo, and rejected the possibility of Kosovo's partition. It was passed with 424 voted in favour, and 133 against. Some Romanian and Communist representatives called for a new international conference on Kosovo's status or to allow the northern part of the country to join Serbia.[410][411] On 8 July 2010, the European Parliament adopted a resolution welcoming "the recognition by all Member States of the independence of Kosovo", and stating that EU member states should "step up their common approach towards Kosovo". The resolution rejected the possibility of a partition of Kosovo.[412] On 29 March 2012, the European Parliament adopted a resolution that urged the five EU member states that had not recognised Kosovo's independence to do so.[413]
On 15 July 2008, the IMF issued a statement saying "It has been determined that Kosovo has seceded from Serbia as a new independent state and that Serbia is the continuing state," thus acknowledging the separation of Kosovo from Serbia.[414] After their membership was approved in a secret ballot by 108 states,[citation needed] Kosovo signed the IMF's Articles of Agreement on 29 June 2009 to become a full member of the fund.[415][416]
To become a member of Interpol, a country would need the votes of 2/3 of Interpol's 195 members.[417] Kosovo has tried to join Interpol on three different occasions, most recently in November 2018, when it received positive votes from 68 countries, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed.[418]
At a meeting on 30 March 2012 with Kosovo's Deputy Foreign Minister, Petrit Selimi, deputy director of the IOM, Laura Thomson, expressed readiness to continue advanced discussions with the representatives of Kosovo to further advance the prospects for membership.[419]
NATO maintains that its ongoing Kosovo Force mission and mandate remain unchanged and that "NATO reaffirms that KFOR shall remain in Kosovo on the basis of UNSCR 1244, as agreed by Foreign Ministers in December 2007, unless the UN Security Council decides otherwise".[420]
In February 2008, Secretary General of the OIC Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu said "Kosovo has finally declared its independence after a long and determined struggle by its people. As we rejoice this happy result, we declare our solidarity with and support to our brothers and sisters there. The Islamic Umma wishes them success in their new battle awaiting them which is the building of a strong and prosperous a state capable of satisfying of its people".[421] The OIC did not call on its individual member states to extend recognition, as some member states, including Azerbaijan, Egypt, Indonesia and Sudan, were firmly against any issuance of such a statement.[422] On 25 May 2009, at the OIC's 36th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Damascus, the 57 member states adopted a resolution that noted Kosovo's declaration of independence, upheld the role of the UN in Kosovo, reaffirmed the strong interest of the OIC regarding Muslims in the Balkans, welcomed the co-operation of Kosovo with the OIC Economic and Financial institutions, and called on the international community to continue contributing to the fostering of Kosovo's economy.[423] It has been reported that an earlier draft of the resolution (tabled by Saudi Arabia) had called for recognition of Kosovo by Islamic countries, but this was rejected by some member states, including Syria, Egypt and Azerbaijan.[424] The OIC mechanism is similar to the one adopted by the EU which leaves it up to member states to decide.[425] In June 2011, the OIC adopted a resolution calling on member states to consider recognising Kosovo but once again it left the recognition issue to individual member states.[426] In November 2012, the OIC adopted a resolution calling on member states to consider recognising Kosovo based on their free and sovereign rights as well as on their national practice.[427] İhsanoğlu expressed support for strengthening the international subjectivity of the Republic of Kosovo.[428] In February 2013, the OIC renewed the previous resolution and urged all of its member states to recognise Kosovo.[429]
On 19 February 2008, Chairman Ilkka Kanerva and OSCE Minorities Commissioner Knut Vollebæk called for Kosovo's government to vigorously implement agreed-upon frameworks regarding minorities.[430] Serbia has vowed to oppose OSCE membership for Kosovo and is calling for the organisation to condemn the declaration of independence.[431]
Member states (36 / 56)
Albania† • Andorra† • Armenia • Austria† • Azerbaijan • Belarus • Belgium† • Bosnia and Herzegovina • Bulgaria† • Canada† • Croatia† • Cyprus • Czech Republic† • Denmark† • Estonia† • Finland† • France† • Georgia • Germany† • Greece • Hungary† • Iceland† • Ireland† • Italy† • Kazakhstan • Kyrgyzstan • Latvia† • Liechtenstein† • Lithuania† • Luxembourg† • Malta† • Moldova • Monaco† • Montenegro† • Netherlands† • North Macedonia† • Norway† • Poland† • Portugal† • Romania • Russia • San Marino† • Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia† • Spain • Sweden† • Switzerland† • Tajikistan • Turkey† • Turkmenistan • Ukraine • United Kingdom† • United States† • Uzbekistan • Vatican City
Russia called an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on 17 February 2008, but the council members, given differences in stated position between permanent members, failed to reach a consensus. Russia requested another meeting on 18 February. In March 2008 the UNMIK mission in Kosovo told the Serbian government to cease its interference in North Kosovo after local Serbs burned down a customs office set up by the Republic of Kosovo.[432] In order for Kosovo to attain a UN seat, it would require the agreement of the five permanent members of the Security Council, of which only three currently recognise Kosovo: UK, France, and the US. On 17 January 2012, the President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, had a meeting with the President of the United Nations General Assembly, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, who stated that he will continue to support Kosovo in all initiatives and processes through which it is running.[433] On 11 July 2012, the elected President of the United Nations General Assembly, Serb Vuk Jeremić, said that Kosovo's move to join the UN during his upcoming presidency of the UN General Assembly would be "an act of pointless provocation". "As long as Serbia presides over the UN, and that's for the next year, this could only happen over my dead body," Jeremić said.[434] However, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that Jeremić should have stated this as an official of Serbia, not as the President of the UN General Assembly.[435] Member states (104 / 193)
Permanent members of Security Council (3 / 5)
China • France† • Russia • United Kingdom† • United States†
In August 2010, former Baloch separatist leader Jumma Khan Marri welcomed the independence of Kosovo and the ruling by the ICJ that the declaration of independence by Kosovo was not in violation of international law.[438] However, Jumma Khan Marri has since distanced himself from the movement and now advocates against secession.[439] In October 2010, former Minister of Fisheries and opposition member of the Balochistan Assembly Kachkol Ali hailed the decision of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo's declaration of Independence as "a glorious judgment for the national liberation movements". He said that it was a beacon of hope for enslaved nations.[440]
The regional Basque government, unlike the central Spanish government in Madrid, responded very positively to Kosovo's declaration of independence. A regional government spokeswoman said that "It's a lesson to be followed when it comes to peaceful and democratic solutions of the identity and allegiance problems... It shows that respect of the citizens' will is the key to solving difficult political problems".[441]
In July 2010, following the ICJ decision, the Catalan nationalist parties expressed that there are clear parallels between their case and Kosovo's. Joan Puigcercós, the President of the Republican Left of Catalonia, stated that the ICJ decision shows that Catalonia's independence could be legal and recognised at an international level. The Democratic Convergence of Catalonia party asked the Spanish Government to recognise Kosovo's independence and the right of self-determination of the people.[442] On 23 July 2010, José Montilla, President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, said that Catalonia and Kosovo have little in common.[443] In March 2012 during a fierce debate with Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy, Convergence and Union general secretary Josep Antoni Duran i Lleida asked for the immediate recognition of Kosovo by Spain, and stated that the reasons for non-recognition "are not international but internal".[444]
In June 2008, an article was published on the website of the Central Tibetan Administration saying that if Kosovo has a right to independence then Tibet has every right to become an independent nation and Tibetans are fully entitled to the right of self-determination.[445] In April 2010, the 14th Dalai Lama, then joint executive authority within the government in exile, sent a telegram of congratulations to Kosovo's prime minister, Hashim Thaçi, saying that he is satisfied with the independence of Kosovo and that he prays that Kosovo's democratic state will be a model for others to follow.[446]
Usman Ferzauli, the Foreign Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, said that his country "welcome the declaration of state independence by Kosovo and do not question the right of the people of Kosovo to distance themselves from the state that terrorized it".[447] The Prime Minister of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, Akhmed Zakayev, stated in an April 2010 interview that to him and his nation, Kosovo represented a hope, and also made reference to a letter he had apparently sent to Kosovo's prime minister Hashim Thaçi congratulating the latter.[448]
On 18 February 2008, Ansar Yusuf Turani, the representative of the government-in-exile, released a press statement saying "On behalf of the people of East Turkistan, the East Turkistan Government in Exile hereby recognizes Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state and wishes peace and prosperity for the people of Kosovo".[449]
On 11 March 2008, the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front staged a demonstration in Brussels in front of the European Commission building. It was headed by one of its leaders, Barrister Abdul Majeed Tramboo, and its agenda cited Kosovo's independence, demanding equal treatment and commensurate application of the same solution by the EU in the Kashmir dispute involving India, Pakistan and China. Protesters included EU Parliament members, students and various NGO constituents and representatives.[450]
Mustafa Dzhemilev, the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People declared that he supported the right of self-determination for every nation, including Kosovo.[451] He also added that the Crimean Tatars will not start a secession process from Ukraine if their rights are respected. Cemilev stated that he believes the motive for the Kosovars to declare independence was the anti-Albanian situation in Kosovo.[452]
Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) is not an active member of the EBU and therefore they cannot participate in the Eurovision Song Contest and sister projects. However, there is a cooperation agreement between RTK and the EBU[453] and they were allowed to participate in the Eurovision Young Dancers 2011 competition. On 30 March 2012 during a meeting in Geneva with Kosovo's Deputy Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi, Ingrid Delterne, executive director of the EBU expressed readiness for Kosovo's membership in the ITU.[419]
The Olympic Committee of Kosovo became a full member of the International Olympic Committee on 9 December 2014.[454] The Olympic Committee of Kosovo has been in existence since 1992.[455] Kosovo was a provisional member of the IOC from 22 October 2014 through 9 December 2014.[456]
Kosovo played their first official match in 2014, against Haiti. In April 2016, Kosovo were voted into UEFA, and on 13 May 2016, at the 66th FIFA congress in Mexico City, Kosovo (along with Gibraltar) were voted into the organisation. Only 23 associations voted against Kosovo's membership. They took part in their first World Cup qualifier in their 1–1 draw with Finland.
UNPO issued a statement on 18 February 2008: "for regions in similar conditions, Kosova's independence represents new hope for the future of their own potential statehood".[457] In the days that followed, several African UNPO members expressed their own individual secession-minded reactions to Kosovo's independence.[458]
After former President of Finland Martti Ahtisaari received the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize "for his important efforts... to resolve international conflicts",[459] including his work in Kosovo as a UN special envoy, the Norwegian Nobel Committee Secretary, who had been also the Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, Geir Lundestad, said that the committee believed "there is no alternative to an independent Kosovo".[460]
Kosovo is not a member of the governing structures for the ISO. Independently of its ISO membership status, ISO will also potentially issue a standardised country code for Kosovo. According to rules of procedure followed by the ISO 3166 Maintenance Agency based in Geneva, a new ISO 3166-1 code for Kosovo will only be issued once it appears in the UN Terminology Bulletin Country Names or in the UN Statistics Division's list of Country and Region Codes for Statistical Use.[461] To appear in the terminology bulletin, it must either (a) be admitted into the UN, (b) join a UN Specialised Agency or (c) become a state party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice.[462] Criterion (b) was met when Kosovo joined the International Monetary Fund and World Bank; a terminology bulletin has yet to be circulated.
Foreign relations of Kosovo are accomplished by efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. Kosovo operates 33 embassies abroad and is host to 22 embassies in Pristina. Kosovo has membership in several international organisations.
Kosovo–North Macedonia relations are diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia.
Kosovo–Malaysia relations are foreign relations between Kosovo and Malaysia. Formal relations between the two countries first began in 2000, when Malaysia became the first Asian country to establish a liaison office in Kosovo. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Malaysia recognised it on 30 October 2008.
Israel–Kosovo relations refer to bilateral relations between Israel and Kosovo. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. Israel and Kosovo agreed on 4 September 2020, as part of negotiations for the Kosovo and Serbia Economic Normalization agreements, to mutually recognize each other. It was initially reported that the mutual recognition had not yet gone into effect at that point, and Israel's recognition of Kosovo was expected to be formally declared "in the coming weeks". However, on 21 September the ambassador of Israel to Serbia, Yahel Vilan, confirmed that Israel had indeed recognized Kosovo on 4 September 2020. The two countries established diplomatic relations on 1 February 2021. On 14 March 2021 Kosovo officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem.
Egyptian–Kosovan relations are foreign relations between Egypt and Kosovo.
Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. International reaction was mixed, and the world community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo.
Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. International reaction was mixed, and the international community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo. Slovakia's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence is one of non-recognition, but it has given indications that its stance could change in the future.
Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. International reaction was mixed, and the global community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo. Greece's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence in general is neutral.
Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo without popular referendum. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. International reaction was mixed, and the world community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo. Libya extended official diplomatic recognition to Kosovo on 25 September 2013. Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić announced in 2023 that Libya has withdrawn recognition of Kosovo.
Since Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia, international recognition of Kosovo has been mixed, and the international community continues to be divided on the issue. The Republic of Kosovo is member of some international intergovernmental and international non-governmental organisations.
Bangladeshi–Kosovan relations are foreign relations between Bangladesh and Kosovo. Bangladesh recognised the Republic of Kosovo as an independent state on 27 February 2017. A year later on the same date, Kosovan consul in New York Teuta Sahatqija and Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Masud Bin Momen signed a treaty to officially establish diplomatic relations.
Kosovo–Thailand relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Kingdom of Thailand. Thailand recognised the Republic of Kosovo as independent state on 24 September 2013.
Kosovar–Zambian relations are foreign relations between Kosovo and Zambia.
Iraqi–Kosovar relations are foreign relations between Iraq and Kosovo. Formal diplomatic relations between two states are positive as Iraq does recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state.
Kosovar–Ugandan relations are foreign relations between Kosovo and Uganda. Formal diplomatic relations between two states are non-existent as Uganda does not recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state.
There are no formal diplomatic relations between Cyprus and Kosovo as Cyprus has not formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign state.
Kosovar–Lebanese relations are foreign relations between Kosovo and Lebanon. Formal diplomatic relations between two states are non-existent as Lebanon does not recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state.
Kosova–Nigeria relations are foreign relations between Nigeria and Kosovo. There are no formal diplomatic relations between the two states as Nigeria has not recognized Kosovo as a sovereign state.
Kosovar–Tunisian relations are foreign relations between Kosovo and Tunisia. There are no formal diplomatic relations between Tunisia and Kosovo. Tunisia has not recognized Kosovo as a sovereign state.
Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. International reaction was mixed, and the world community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo. Nigeria's position has been somewhat mixed.
↑ Himmrich, Julia (2020), Armakolas, Ioannis; Ker-Lindsay, James (eds.), "Germany: From Cautious Recogniser to Kosovo's Key EU Ally", The Politics of Recognition and Engagement: EU Member State Relations with Kosovo, New Perspectives on South-East Europe, Springer International Publishing, pp.61–82, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-17945-8_4, ISBN9783030179458, S2CID198827704
1 2 Ferrero-Turrión, Ruth (2020), Armakolas, Ioannis; Ker-Lindsay, James (eds.), "Spain: Kosovo's Strongest Opponent in Europe", The Politics of Recognition and Engagement: EU Member State Relations with Kosovo, New Perspectives on South-East Europe, Springer International Publishing, pp.215–235, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-17945-8_11, ISBN9783030179458, S2CID198788916
1 2 Armakolas, Ioannis (2020), Armakolas, Ioannis; Ker-Lindsay, James (eds.), "Greece: Kosovo's Most Engaged Non-recogniser", The Politics of Recognition and Engagement: EU Member State Relations with Kosovo, New Perspectives on South-East Europe, Springer International Publishing, pp.123–146, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-17945-8_7, ISBN9783030179458, S2CID198680021
↑ Note verbale, Le Ministère des Relations Extérieures, de la Coopération, chargé de la Diaspora de la Francophonie et du Monde Arabe de l'Union des Comores, Kosovo Thanks You, 14 May 2009 (in French)
↑ CKA 699/755/01Archived 16 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine , Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, 5 June 2013
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