Foreign relations of Kosovo

On 17 February 2008, the Assembly of Kosovo, a body of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government under the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), unilaterally declared independece. This move was controversial among the international community. As of 9 October 2008 the Republic of Kosovo has been recognised by Kosovorecognition UN member states and the Republic of China (Taiwan).

At present, fourteen states maintain embassies in Pristina; additionally, Liechtenstein's interests are represented by the Swiss embassy. Kosovo is also host to six non-resident ambassadors, as well as 10 liaison offices. Russia maintains a liaison office with UNMIK.

The government of the Republic of Kosovo has allocated one million euros to establish a Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Skender Hyseni has been requested to be the Foreign Minister. [ [http://www.newkosovareport.com/20080425906/Politics/One-million-euros-for-Kosovo-Foreign-Ministry.html "One million euros for Kosovo Foreign Ministry"] , "newkosovareport.com", 25 April 2008. Link accessed 2008-04-25.]

Europe

European Union

The European Union 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 Kosovan independence would require unanimity on the subject from all 27 member states, which does not presently exist. On 18 February, the EU officially stated that it would "take note" of the resolution of the Kosovo assembly. [cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/9/25684 |title=EUobserver.com |publisher=Euobserver.com |author=Elitsa Vucheva |date= |accessdate=2008-09-26] The EU is sending a EULEX mission to Kosovo, which includes a special representative and 2000 police and judicial personnel. [cite news|url=http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/serbia-russia-fury-kosovo-independence-draws-near/article-170333|title=Serbia, Russia fury as Kosovo independence draws near|publisher=EurActiv|date=2008-02-15|accessdate=2008-02-20] [cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/9/25660 |title=EUobserver.com |publisher=Euobserver.com |author=Renata Goldirova |date= |accessdate=2008-09-26] show
Member states (22 / 27) Candidates (3 / 3)|
Austria smallsup|‡ • Belgium smallsup|‡ • Bulgaria smallsup|‡ • Croatia smallsup|‡† • Cyprus smallsup|‡‡ • Czech Republic smallsup|‡ • Denmark smallsup|‡ • Estonia smallsup|‡ • Finland smallsup|‡ • France smallsup|‡ • Germany smallsup|‡ • Greece smallsup|‡‡ • Hungary smallsup|‡ • Ireland smallsup|‡ • Italy smallsup|‡ • Latvia smallsup|‡ • Lithuania smallsup|‡ • Luxembourg smallsup|‡ • Macedonia smallsup|‡† • Malta smallsup|‡ • Netherlands smallsup|‡ • Poland smallsup|‡ • Portugal smallsup|‡ • Romania smallsup|‡‡ • Slovakia smallsup|‡‡ • Slovenia smallsup|‡ • Spain smallsup|‡‡ • Sweden smallsup|‡ • Turkey smallsup|‡† • United Kingdom smallsup|‡: smallsup|‡ - Have already accepted Kosovo's independence separately.: smallsup|‡‡ - Have stated they will not recognise Kosovo.: smallsup|† - EU candidate countries.

Estonia

The Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Kosovo concluded diplomatic relations on April 24 in 2008. Estonia, having previously announced readiness to recognize Kosovo's independence, officially recognized Kosovo on February 21 in 2008. [ [http://www.vm.ee/est/kat_42/9632.html Eesti sõlmis Kosovoga diplomaatilised suhted] .
Estonian Ministry of Foreign AffairsEt_icon]

France

Luxembourg

Luxembourg has promised to give Kosovo €30 million over the next five years. Luxembourg said that the money was mainly for focus on professional training for Pristina and Mitrovica North authorities. [ [""] "newkosovareport.com" 29 April 2008 Link accessed 05/05/08]

Poland

Poland recognised Kosovo on 26 February 2008. [ [http://www.warsawvoice.pl/view/17345 Poland Recognizes Kosovo] ] In September 2008, President of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, stated that the that the original cause of the 2008 South Ossetia war was not the Georgian operation, but the recognition of Kosovo's independence [ [http://wyborcza.pl/1,86871,5644159,Let_s_First_Help_Georgia__Then_Talk_about_Russia.html Let's First Help Georgia, Then Talk about Russia] ] and that he will block attempts to establish diplomatic relations of Poland with Kosovo at ambassadorial level. [ [http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=09&dd=25&nav_id=53743 Poland won't open embassy in Priština] ]

United Kingdom

Albania

Albania has offered Kosovo a $3 billion pipeline deal from hydropower stations in Albania, so that Kosovo can stay powered as the new semi-recognized state has not been fully able to sort out its power supply since becoming independent. [ [http://www.upi.com/International_Security/Energy/Briefing/2008/05/19/albania_asks_kosovo_to_agree_on_pipeline/3346/ "Albania asks Kosovo to agree on pipeline"] "" (19 May 2008) Link accessed 20/05/08]

Macedonia

The Republic of Macedonia recognised Kosovo on 8 October 2008. [ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7662149.stm"Kosovo receives recognition boost"] ]

Turkey

Africa

Burkina Faso

enegal

Americas

Canada

United States

Asia–Pacific

Afghanistan

Australia

Bangladesh

Both countries have suffered hardships and oppression by other ethnic groups who once lived in the same nation as them. Bengali people in East Pakistan suffered under a Punjabi dominated West Pakistan, as have Albanian majority Kosovo by a Serbian dominated central government. For reasons of differences and oppression of culture, race and enduring atrocities, both have sought for independence. Sunni Islam is a predominant religion in both countries and are generally secular and tolerant towards other religions (although Islam had been declared the state religion of Bangladesh and Islam isn't as influential in Kosovo's daily life). Due to these common grounds of tragic history, struggle for independence and religion, they are considered the extra initiatives for Bangladesh to recognise Kosovo.

Bangladesh also sent its personnel to contribute towards the peacekeeping operations since the Kosovo crisis began and recently sent 120 policemen to the UN Kosovo mission. [ [http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6429252.html Bangladesh police contingent to join UN peacekeeping in Kosovo - People's Daily Online ] ]

Bangladesh originally declared that it will review the situation of Kosovo's independence and determine their actions afterwards. After a meeting between Fakhruddin Ahmed and James F. Moriarty, Bangladesh has shown intentions of recognising the new nation soon.

On 29 June 2008 the Prime Minister, Fakhruddin Ahmed, during a meeting with the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh, James F. Moriarty, has affirmed that "Bangladesh will recognize the new European country". The Prime Minister also assured the US ambassador that "Bangladesh is committed to lobbying Asian Muslim countries to recognize Kosovo. Bangladesh will actively contribute to the development of Kosovo". [ [http://www.newkosovareport.com/200806301003/Politics/Kosovo-to-receive-more-recognitions.html New Kosova Report - Kosovo to receive more recognitions ] ]

Japan

outh Korea

Middle East

Arab states

Although none of the Arab countries have so far recognised Kosovo's Independence, Skender Hyseni met with ambassadors of Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in May 2008 in Vienna. Qatar and Saudi Arabia indicated they had begun the recognition process and Abdulrahman Al-Suahibani, Chargé d'Affaires of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Vienna told Hyseni that he had been "instructed by his government to communicate to Kosovo’s Foreign Minister that Saudi Arabia will recognise Kosovo very soon".cite news|title=Kosovo Seeks Arab Recognition|work=balkaninsight.com|publisher=Balkan Investigative Reporting Network|date=2008-05-27|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/10480/|accessdate=2008-05-27|quote=None of the Arab countries has recognised the move, although some, including Saudi Arabia, have indicated that they have begun the recognition process. The Charge d’Affaires of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Vienna, Abdulrahman Al-Suahibani, told Hyseni that he had been instructed by his government to communicate to Kosovo’s Foreign Minister that "Saudi Arabia will recognise Kosovo very soon"] In recent weeks, a dialogue has started in Kosovo between representatives from Kosovar and Arab civil society groups. However, this dialogue is opposed by the Kosovar government as some of the Arab representatives are dissidents in Arab states.

Israel

The issue of Kosovo is sensitive to Israelis, many of whom are descendants of survivors of various ethnic cleansing campaigns and genocides, including: the Holocaust. Israelis have aided Kosovo refugees in the past, including establishing the only hospital for miles on Macedonia's border. Many Israelis have rallied in support of the Kosovar cause. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/315126.stm Israel divided on Kosovo] ] Jerusalem sent massive humanitarian aide to the besieged Kosovars during and after the 1998-1999 Kosovo War. Jewish groups worldwide are also involved in aide to Kosovo's Muslim majority, and even helped to rebuild mosques damaged during the fighting. The Israeli government has delayed recognizing Kosovo and chooses to monitor developments in the region and international community before making a decision. Some concerns include the fact the secession is unilateral, and that recognition may have implications on the Palestinian (and Israeli Arab) issue—an analogy the Albanian ambassador in Israel rejects, citing major historical and political differences. [ [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=2&cid=1203343699593&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Israel won't recognize Kosovo, for now | Jerusalem Post ] ] cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1195546731795&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull|title=Kosovo deserves independence|author=Tonin Gjuraj] Israel and Serbia also share increasingly close economic ties, and Serbia's ambassador in Israel claims he has been assured by Israeli officials that Israel will not recognize Kosovo. [ [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1196847321972 The case against Kosovo independence] ] However, Israeli officials indicate that that recognition is probably just a matter of time considering Israel's closest ally (the United States) and other "influential friends" in Europe have recognized the new state. [http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1203343699593] [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/955214.html] Israel supports the Contact Group principles.

Recognition

Diplomatic missions

Offices in Kosovo

Since the Republic of Kosovo declared independence, from Serbia on 17 February 2008, countries that have recognised the new state have opened embassies. Kosovo is currently host to fourteen embassies. Additionally, Liechtenstein's interests are represented by the Swiss embassy.

Kosovar missions

Kosovo has yet to open any diplomatic missions abroad.

Membership in international organizations

¹ Kosovo (UNMIK) membership

ee also

*Accession of Kosovo to the European Union
*Foreign relations of Serbia and Montenegro

References

* [http://www.inyourpocket.com/data/download/Pristina_1.pdf Foreign representations] "(on page 43)"