International recognition of Kosovo

Map of states that have recognised Kosovo's independence (as of 26 February 2024)
  Kosovo
  States that recognise Kosovo as independent
  States that have not recognised Kosovo as independent
  States that recognised Kosovo and were later reported to have withdrawn recognition
Politics of Kosovo
Constitution and law
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Administrative divisions
Recent elections
Foreign policy

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.

As of 4 September 2020, 104 out of 193 (53.9%) United Nations member states, 22 out of 27 (81.5%) European Union member states, 28 out of 32 (87.5%) NATO member states, 4 out of 10 (40%) ASEAN member states, and 34 out of 57 (59.6%) Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states have recognised Kosovo.[4] In total, Kosovo received 114 diplomatic recognitions by UN member states, however conflicts have arisen regarding the exact number of countries recognizing Kosovo. Among the G20 countries, eleven (including all seven G7 countries) have recognised Kosovo as an independent state: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Eight (including all five founding BRICS countries), however, have not: Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa.

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]

  1. ^ "Kosovo MPs proclaim independence". BBC News. 17 February 2008.
  2. ^ "The world's newest state". The Economist. 21 February 2008.
  3. ^ "International recognitions of the Republic of Kosovo". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Lista e Njohjeve". MPJD | MFAD. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  5. ^ Riechmann, Deb (4 September 2020). "Serbia, Kosovo normalize economic ties, gesture to Israel". Associated Press.
  6. ^ Serbia to move embassy to Jerusalem; mostly Muslim Kosovo to recognize Israel, The Times of Israel, 9 April 2020
  7. ^ "Kosovo and Serbia Signed Separate Pledges, Not an Agreement". 4 September 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference EEAS2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fontelles2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference EEAS2023b was invoked but never defined (see the help page).