 | |
 Kosovo |  North Macedonia |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of Kosovo, Skopje | Embassy of North Macedonia, Pristina |
| Envoy | |
| Ambassador Gjergj Dedaj | Ambassador Shpresa Jusufi |
Diplomatic relations are maintained between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia.
Informal relations started on 9 October 2008 when North Macedonia recognised Kosovo after its declaration of independence from Serbia on 17 February of the same year. [1] [2] In October 2009, Kosovo signed an agreement to re-adjust its border with North Macedonia by exchanging some lands. [3] [ citation needed ] This agreement was an important landmark in their diplomatic history since it resolved an eight-year-old border dispute that arose from the 2001 Albanian insurgency in North Macedonia. Finalized in 2009 with negotiations under the auspices of the EU and the U.S., the demarcation of the 150-kilometer border was made possible. Both parties described the terms of the deal on sovereignty, integrity of territories, and other merits of the peaceful settlements of the disputes. It also helped people from Kosovo engage in cross-border activities on their properties in North Macedonia. In response to the deal, EU officials hailed it as a marker of a new and profound partnership, a sign of ‘maturity and mutual respect.’ [4] [5]
On 17 October 2009, Skopje and Pristina officially established diplomatic relations. [6] On 12 November 2009, North Macedonia upgraded its Liaison Office in Pristina to an Embassy and an Ambassador was appointed. [7] Kosovan Embassy in Albania was initially accredited to North Macedonia [8] until an embassy was opened in Skopje. [9]
North Macedonia recognised the Kosovan passport on 12 July 2008 prior to the full diplomatic recognition of the Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo citizens have visa-free entry into North Macedonia for a short-term stay of up to 90 days within 6 months, and vice versa. This agreement boosts tourism, business, and family visits without further formalities. However, it is required that the passengers ensure their passports have at least six months of validity beyond the period of intended stay. [10] Crossing into North Macedonia with Kosovo citizenship requires a valid biometric passport, but national ID cards may also be allowed for certain categories of visitors. The same is true for North Macedonian citizens when they enter Kosovo. [11]
Kosovo and North Macedonia benefit from streamlined processes at border crossings to further facilitate travel between them for mutual tourism and economic cooperation. Such processes form part of the wider regional efforts toward better connectivity within the Western Balkans. [12]
Most of the tourists arrive without a visa but working and residing in the territory for a long time need appropriate permits and documentation. Kosovo citizens, first have to review their purpose for visiting North Macedonia to ensure it is legally acceptable. [13]
Before the recognition, President Branko Crvenkovski said "The Republic of Macedonia will decide its view when we deem it most appropriate for our interests. [The Republic of Macedonia] would follow the position of NATO and the European Union on Kosovo, but nations in the two organisations have to yet to assume a common stance." [14] [15] The Democratic Party of Albanians left the government coalition on 13 March 2008 after it failed to meet their six demands, recognising Kosovo's independence being one of them. However, it returned on 24 March 2008 after demanding the recognition of Kosovo. [16] On 27 March 2008, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia Antonio Milošoski issued the following statement: "In welcoming the constructive position of the Republic of Macedonia concerning Kosovo, the Commission on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament has expressed concern because of delay in the technical demarcation of the Republic of Macedonia-Kosovo borderline and has asked that this issue be solved in accordance with the Ahtisaari proposal." [17] This reiterated Macedonia's support for the Ahtisaari plan for Kosovo, which was endorsed by the foreign affairs ministry a year earlier, on 30 March 2007. [18] On 10 July, Foreign Ministry spokesman Petar Culev announced that Macedonia will accept new Kosovan passports. [19] Ali Ahmeti, leader of the ethnic Albanian Democratic Union for Integration party, said Macedonia would recognise Kosovo after problems over the border demarcation were resolved. [20] (The Democratic Union for Integration is a member of the governing coalition; however, Ahmeti has no role as minister in the government.) North Macedonia has 158.7 km (98.6 mi)-long border with Kosovo. On 12 May 2009 Gjorge Ivanov became the new president of Macedonia. Soon after his inauguration Ivanov invited the president of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu to be the first statesman to visit Macedonia in his mandate, but Sejdiu cancelled his visit to Macedonia, because the visit was planned to be a non-formal meeting. The Kosovan side expected a full official meeting between two statesmen. The following weeks saw something of a crisis in the relations of the two countries. There were even speculations that Macedonia might revert its decision to recognise Kosovo as an independent state. However, Skopje officially denied that it wants to revert the recognition of Kosovo. Relations were normalised soon at a regional meeting.
Bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries were assessed as good, while the Albanians living in North Macedonia are considered to be a strong connecting bridge with Kosovo. In December 2021, President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Stevo Pendarovski, visited Kosovo. It was the first time a president of this neighboring country visited Kosovo on an official visit. [21] [22] In March 2022, Speaker of the Parliament of North Macedonia, Talat Xhaferi, stated at a meeting with President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, in Pristina, that North Macedonia unreservedly supports Kosovo's membership in NATO, the Council of Europe and other international organizations. [23] [24]
According to a 2024 survey conducted by IRI Global, 10% of surveyed Macedonians view Kosovo as North Macedonia’s biggest threat, while Serbia is viewed as the biggest ally by 34% of the surveyed. [25]
Kosovo and North Macedonia are deepening economic collaboration, particularly in trade and energy sectors, as part of broader regional development initiatives.
Energy Security Collaboration: The countries are collaborating on energy security through initiatives like electricity grid integration and renewable energy promotion. These projects align with the EU’s strategy to diversify energy sources in the Western Balkans, reducing dependency on external suppliers. Joint projects in solar and wind energy are being explored, potentially positioning the region as a leader in sustainable energy practices. [26] [27]
Trade Relations: Kosovo and North Macedonia invest a lot of effort into developing their bilateral trade, which pragmatic work for the most part comprises tariff liberalization and the development of investment ties. Specifically, in 2024, the bilateral talks pointed to two general areas concerning non-tariff barriers that need to be removed for ease of trade facilitation. These measures intend for the main industry sectors, including agriculture, technology, and small-to-medium enterprises (SME) to gain from assistance. Efforts in these fields are coherent with the region’s economic agenda and with the overall EU vision regarding the capacity of Western Balkan economies to integrate with the community.
Also, pursuing competitiveness and business development under the EU-funded Cross-Border Cooperation Program, both countries are working further. This program fosters SME development and works hard to seek cohesion that enhances trade and investment within a border context. Extremely important is that the focus has been made on environmentally sustainable practices and thus the simultaneous application of sustainable economic growth and development and the fight against climate change. These are supplemented by their effort within the framework of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) aimed at updating and liberalizing trading relationships and promoting joint undertakings by the private sector. Such efforts are important for marketing access and to ensure that both nations are able to benefit from their geographical and economic complementarity. [28] [29] [30]
These partnerships are supported by EU mechanisms such as the Growth and Reform Facility, which provides funding for infrastructure and policy reforms, strengthening the economic ties between Western Balkans countries. [31]
The foreign relations of North Macedonia since its independence in 1991 have been characterized by the country's efforts to gain membership in international organizations such as NATO and the European Union and to gain international recognition under its previous constitutional name, overshadowed by a long-standing, dead-locked dispute with neighboring Greece. Greek objections to the country's name had led to it being admitted to the United Nations and several other international fora only under the provisional designation Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia until its official and erga omnes renaming to North Macedonia, a name under which it is now universally recognised.
Since Slovenia declared independence in 1991, its Governments have underscored their commitment to improving cooperation with neighbouring countries and actively contributing to international efforts aimed at bringing stability to Southeast Europe. Resource limitations have nevertheless been a problem hindering the efficiency of the Slovenian diplomacy. In the 1990s, foreign relations, especially with Italy, Austria and Croatia, triggered internal political controversies. In the last eight years, however, a wide consensus has been reached among the vast majority of Slovenian political parties to jointly work in the improvement of the country's diplomatic infrastructure and to avoid politicizing the foreign relations by turning them into an issue of internal political debates.
Albania is on the current agenda for future enlargement of the European Union (EU). It applied for EU membership on 28 April 2009, and has since June 2014 been an official candidate for accession. The Council of the European Union decided in March 2020 to open accession negotiations with Albania.
International governments are divided on the issue of recognition of the independence of Kosovo from Serbia, which was declared in 2008. The Government of Serbia does not diplomatically recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state, 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.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Kosovo, a country in the Southeastern Europe.
Japan–Kosovo relations are foreign relations between Japan and Kosovo. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008, and Japan recognized it on March 18, 2008. According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan and Kosovo established diplomatic relations on February 25, 2009.
Austria–Kosovo relations refer to the bilateral relations of Austria and Kosovo. Kosovo has an embassy in Vienna and Austria has an embassy in Pristina.
Bulgaria–Kosovo relations refer to the bilateral relations of Bulgaria and Kosovo.
Kosovo–Slovenia relations are foreign relations between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Slovenia. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Slovenia recognised it on 5 March 2008. The diplomatic relations were established on 8 April 2008. Slovenia has had an embassy in Pristina since 15 May 2008. The first ambassador of Kosovo in Slovenia has been Anton Berisha, who handed his credentials to the President of Slovenia in January 2010.
The passport of Kosovo is a travel document that is issued by the Interior Ministry of Kosovo to the citizens of Kosovo to enable them to travel abroad. The passports are also used as proof of identity within the country, along with the national identity card.
The visa policy of Kosovo deals with the requirements which a foreign national wishing to enter Kosovo must meet to obtain a visa, which is a permit to travel to, enter and remain in 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–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.
Kosovan-Qatari relations are foreign relations between Kosovo and Qatar. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Qatar recognized it on 7 January 2011. Since then, the two countries have developed a relationship with mutual recognition and shared interests, in political and economic areas.
Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu is a Kosovo Albanian jurist and politician who is the current president of Kosovo since 2021. Osmani was born and raised in Titova Mitrovica, SFR Yugoslavia and studied law at the University of Pristina and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She worked as an advisor to the president of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu before she was elected to the Assembly. Osmani held the position of Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo from February 2020 to March 2021, and also served as acting president between November 2020 and March 2021 after the resignation of President Hashim Thaçi. Upon her election as president, Osmani became the second woman to hold the position, as well as the first person to have served as both acting president and president of Kosovo. Osmani successfully ran on an anti-corruption platform and has expressed a desire to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia. Since taking office, Osmani has returned the flag of Dardania as the official symbol of the presidency.
Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz is a Kosovan politician. A member of the Guxo political list of the Vetëvendosje political party, she has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Second Deputy Prime Minister in the Second Kurti cabinet since 2021. Gërvalla-Schwarz is the daughter of assassinated Albanian activist Jusuf Gërvalla. She is the president of the centre-right political party Guxo!.
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.
Kenyan–Kosovar relations are foreign relations between Kenya and Kosovo. Formal diplomatic relations between two states have not been established as Kenya has not officially recognized Kosovo as a sovereign state, though has indicated a willingness to do so in the near future. Kenya recognizes Kosovo passports as valid travel documents.
Xhafer Tahiri is a politician in Kosovo. He served in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo from 2013 to 2014 and was the mayor of Vushtrri from 2017 to 2021. Tahiri is a member of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).
Kosovar–South Sudanese relations are foreign relations between South Sudan and Kosovo.
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see also: Foreign relations of Yugoslavia | ||
