Spain's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence

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Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was unilaterally declared on Sunday, 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo. [1] All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. [2] International reaction was mixed, and the world community continues to be divided on the issue, with 114 of 193 UN member states recognizing Kosovo's independence. Spain's reaction to the declaration was, and remains, one of non-recognition. Spain considers that the unilateral declaration of independence "does not respect international law". [3]

Contents

History

On 18 February 2008, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos said that Spain would not recognise Kosovo because the declaration of independence did not respect international law. He also said that the independence of Kosovo would only be legal if it was the result of agreement by all sides involved or if there had been a UNSC resolution. [4] Spain will not take part in the EULEX mission until legal questions over how it will replace the UN administration are answered. Moratinos told a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Slovenia that Spain will not send its contingent to the EULEX mission until there has been a formal transfer of powers from the UN. [5]

In February 2009, Ambassador of Spain to Serbia Íñigo de Palacio España said that Spain's position not to recognise Kosovo independence "would not change even after the adoption of the resolution by the European Parliament" and that "Most UN members do not recognize Kosovo's independence. Just 54 of 194 have recognized. The EP resolution is not mandatory and was adopted by a narrow majority, which indicated that there was a division within the institution on the issue of Kosovo's independence". [6]

In May 2009 José Manuel García-Margallo, Spanish member of the EU parliament, said that Spain does not recognise Kosovo because of principles related to Spain's Galicia, Basque, and Catalonia autonomous communities. However, he also stressed that these Spanish autonomous communities are not comparable with Kosovo, which is fundamentally different. García-Margallo said that despite Spain's non-recognition of Kosovo, it would continue to support Kosovo and its development. [7] On 14 May 2009, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, head of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) list for the European Parliament Elections (and former Minister of Justice), hinted that Spain might recognise Kosovo in the very long run, referring to the development of relations between Spain and Israel. [8] At the press conference during the 64th Session of the UNGA, the then Prime Minister of Spain José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said that Spain has a consistent position on the question of recognition of the creation of independent States that required the respect of international law and that from Spain's point of view, it was not correct to recognise Kosovo. He stated that Spain would not change its position despite more than 60 countries that recognised and that "the question could be the reverse: why are there more than 100 countries that have not recognized Kosovo and why do those 60 not see what the other 100 see?". [9] [10]

In March 2012, during a fierce debate between Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Catalan MP and Convergence and Union spokesman Josep Antoni Duran i Lleida, Rajoy stated that he is opposed to the recognition of Kosovo as this is what suits the interests of Spain. [11]

However, after the arrival of the socialist Pedro Sánchez to the government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that "they are working in finding new solutions", especially if an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo is reached. [12]

On 31 March 2021, Spain's public TV broadcaster RTVE refused to refer to Kosovo as a country during a FIFA World Cup Qualifier match against them, and also using the word "Kosovo" in lower case throughout the match.

In August 2022, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reaffirmed the country's opposition to its recognition, stating that the Kosovo declaration of independence violates international law. [13]

In April 2023, Spain along with Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Hungary, Romania and Serbia voted against approving Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe. [14]

Spain recognised Kosovo passports as valid travel documents in January 2024. [15] [16] Despite the recognition of passports, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that Spain's position of non-recognition of Kosovo's independence would remain unchanged. [17]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Accession of Kosovo to the European Union</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serbia–Spain relations</span> Bilateral relations

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Czech Republic–Kosovo relations</span> Bilateral relations

Czech Republic–Kosovo relations are foreign relations between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008 and Czech Republic recognized it on 21 May 2008. The Czech Republic opened an embassy in Pristina on 16 July 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bosnia and Herzegovina–Kosovo relations</span> Diplomatic relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Kosovo relations</span> Bilateral relations

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russia's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence</span>

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. The Russian Federation’s reaction to the 2008 Kosovo Declaration of Independence is one of strong opposition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egypt–Kosovo relations</span> Bilateral relations

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 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. 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. Ukraine's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence was originally one of neutrality, but it become more strongly opposed to independence during the presidency of Pro-Russian Viktor Yanokovich.

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. India's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence is one of non-recognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kosovo–Libya relations</span> Bilateral relations

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Romania's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence</span>

Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia was enacted on 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of the Assembly of Kosovo. All 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings. International reactions were mixed, and the global community continues to be divided on the issue of the international recognition of Kosovo. Romania has mostly rejected any attempt or proposal on recognizing Kosovo's independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyprus–Kosovo relations</span> Bilateral relations

There are no formal diplomatic relations between Cyprus and Kosovo as Cyprus has not formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign state.

References

  1. ↑ Kosovo MPs proclaim independence, BBC News, 2008-02-17
  2. ↑ Transkript: Nga Seanca Plenare e Jashtëzakonshme Solemne e Kuvendit Të Kosovës Me Rastin e Shpalljes Së Pavarësisë, Të Mbajtur Më 17 Shkurt 2008, Republic of Kosovo Assembly, 2008-02-17 (in Albanian)
  3. ↑ "Spain says won't recognise Kosovo independence". February 18, 2008 – via www.reuters.com.
  4. ↑ Spain will not officially recognise Kosovo, News from Spain, 2008-02-18
  5. ↑ Spain Holds Staff From EU Kosovo Mission, Balkan Insight, 2008-03-31
  6. ↑ Spain, Slovakia reject EP resolution, B92, 2009-02-07
  7. ↑ Spanish position visa vi Kosovo, The Kosovo Times, 2009-05-13 Archived February 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ López Aguilar no cierra la puerta a un reconocimiento de Kosovo por España, ABC ES, 2009-05-14
  9. ↑ Press Conference by Spain's Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, United Nations, 2009-09-23
  10. ↑ Spain Will Not Change Position Against Kosovo Independence, Latin American Herald Tribune
  11. ↑ Rajoy se opone a reconocer Kosovo porque "es lo que conviene al interés general de los españoles", La Vanguardia, 2012-03-14 (in Spanish)
  12. ↑ "El Gobierno español reconoce que Kosovo es una "chinita en el zapato"". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
  13. ↑ "Sánchez firme en Europa con Kosovo: "No podemos estar a favor de su independencia"". El Español (in Spanish). 2022-08-01. Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  14. ↑ "Serbia to alter foreign policy after EU Kosovo decision: Vucic". Daily Sabah . 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  15. ↑ "Spain Joins Other Schengen Zone Countries in Recognizing Passports Issued by Kosovo". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
  16. ↑ "Spain recognizes Republic of Kosovo passport". 6 January 2024.
  17. ↑ AFP (2024-01-08). "Spain Recognises Kosovo Passports, But Not Independence". Barron's. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
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