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International reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence
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The international reaction to the 2008 declaration of independence by Kosovo follows Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia, enacted on 17 February 2008 by a unanimous vote of a 109-member quorum of the Kosovar Parliament, with 109 in favour and 0 in opposition; all 11 representatives of the Serb minority boycotted the proceedings.[1] The act proclaimed the Republic of Kosovo. Concurrently, letters were sent to all the world's governments, soliciting recognition. Accordingly, on 27 February 2008, Germany became the first country to formalise its recognition of Kosovo by renaming its diplomatic office in Pristina as an embassy and on 8 March 2008, the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt became the first foreign minister to officially visit Kosovo since it declared its independence.[2]
As of 7 October 2008, 48 out of 192 sovereign United Nations member states have formally recognised the Republic of Kosovo. Notably, a majority of European Union member states have formally recognised Kosovo (22 out of 27); EU member states decide individually whether to recognise Kosovo, whereas the EU has commissioned the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) to ensure peace and continued external oversight. 22 out of 26 NATO member states, and both acceding member states, have recognised Kosovo.
A number of states expressed concern over the unilateral character of Kosovo's declaration, or announced explicitly that they will not recognise an independent Kosovo. The UN Security Council remains divided on this issue: of its five members with veto power, three (the United States, United Kingdom, France) have recognised the declaration of independence, while the People's Republic of China has expressed concern, urging the continuation of previous negotiation framework. Russia has rejected the declaration and considers it illegal.[3] On 15 May 2008, Russia, China, and India released a joint statement where they called for new negotiations between the authorities of Belgrade and Pristina.[4]
Of Kosovo's neighbour states other than Serbia, Albania has recognised its declaration of independence, while Montenegro is still uncommitted. The Republic of Macedonia has broached the outstanding issue of border demarcation between it and Kosovo, now raised with the new Pristina government and previously negotiated with the government in Belgrade. The Joint Macedonian-Kosovar Commission on Border Demarcation began operating on 25 March 2008 in Skopje.[5] The actual demarcation process formally started on 30 June 2008.[6] The committee began drawing the border on 2 September 2008.[7]
Due to the ongoing dispute in the UN Security Council, the planned reconfiguration of the UN 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-General Ban Ki-moon proceeded with the reconfiguration plan. On 15 July 2008, he wrote in his quarterly report on the evolving situation in Kosovo: "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 and address current and emerging operational requirements in Kosovo". According to the Secretary-General, the "United Nations has maintained a position of strict neutrality on the question of Kosovo's status".[8]
Serbia's non-recognition
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- See also: 2008 protests in Serbia
Serbia claims Kosovo as part of its sovereign territory.
Among its reactions, Serbia recalled its ambassadors from countries that recognised Kosovo for consultations[9][10] (the ambassadors accredited to the EU countries returned in July 2008[11]), indicted the Kosovar leaders on charges of high treason, and announced plans to litigate the case at the International Court of Justice. On 15 August, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić officially filed a request at the United Nations seeking an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. The United Nations General Assembly will vote on this proposal on 8 October 2008.
States which formally recognise Kosovo as independent
Map of states that have recognised Kosovo independence Kosovo States which formally recognise Kosovo as independent Other states.
UN member states
Non-UN member states
Other states
UN member states
| Country |
Evidence |
International organisations membership |
 Algeria |
Mourad Medelci, Foreign Affairs Minister, said that "although Algeria sympathises with all Muslim countries, we cannot yet recognise Kosovo as an independent state. There are international laws and they must be respected. We are following the situation very closely".[107][108] On 19 June, during the meeting of Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Algeria was among countries that opposed the recognition of Kosovo as an independent country.[109] |
|
 Angola |
On 23 June, President José Eduardo dos Santos sent a message to his Serbian counterpart, Boris Tadić, regarding the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo through Vicente Muanda, chargé d'affaires of the Angolan Embassy in Serbia. Muanda handed over the letter to Jovan Ratković, foreign policy advisor to the President. It reiterated the solidarity of President Eduardo dos Santos and Angola to Serbia, in regard to the preservation of its sovereignty and integrity.[110] |
 Argentina |
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". He said that President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner would not give any official statement on the issue, reiterating that there would be no recognition of Kosovo.[111] Argentina will not recognise also because it "supports the principle of territorial integrity". Additionally, he stressed that the 1999 UN Resolution 1244 called for the mutual agreement of all parties to solve the dispute.[112] |
|
 Armenia |
On 3 September 2008 President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan stated: "Today one is wodenring sic from time to time why Armenia is not recognizing the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The answer is simple: for the same reason that it did not recognize Kosovo's independence. Having the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Armenia can not recognize another entity in the same situation as long as it has not recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic". A nation's right to self-determination "takes times", requiring the understanding of "all interested parties". Accordingly, Armenia is trying to "convince" Azerbaijan to accept the loss of Karabakh, stated the president.[113][114] |
|
 Azerbaijan |
Spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, Khazar Ibrahim, said "We view this illegal act as being in contradiction with international law. Proceeding from this, Azerbaijan's position is clear: it does not recognise [Kosovo's] independence".[115] Azerbaijan has also withdrawn peacekeepers from Kosovo. Zahid Oruj, member of the parliamentary committee on defence and security, explained it by saying "Owing to the change of situation in Kosovo, the Azeri peacekeeping battalion performing its mission within the Turkish contingent will be withdrawn. Azerbaijan acts in compliance with the country's political stance".[116] At the summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference on 10 March, Azerbaijan opposed adoption of the document, proposed by Turkey, that would lend support to Kosovo's declaration of independence.[117] On 19 June, during the meeting of Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Azerbaijan was among countries that opposed the recognition of Kosovo as an independent country.[109] |
 Bahrain |
Since Kosovo's declaration of independence Bahrain has decided to financially support Kosovo, but has not mentioned anything about recognition.[118] |
|
 Bangladesh |
On 29 June 2008 the Prime Minister, Fakhruddin Ahmed, during a meeting with the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh, James F. Moriarty, affirmed that "Bangladesh will recognize the new European country". The Prime Minister also assured the US ambassador that "Bangladesh is committed to lobbing sic Asian Muslim countries to recognize Kosovo. Bangladesh will actively contribute to the development of Kosovo".[119] |
|
 Belarus |
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".[120] The National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus had issued a statement condemning the declaration of independence and encouraged all nations to call the move "illegal" under international law.[121][122] |
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 Bolivia |
President Evo Morales refused to recognise Kosovo's independence and compared Kosovo separatists to the leaders of four eastern Bolivian states who have demanded greater autonomy from the federal government.[123] |
|
 Bosnia and Herzegovina |
On 27 August 2008, former Bosnian ambassador in Turkey Hajrudin Somun wrote an editorial discussing Kosovan passports, where he summarised to-date Bosnian position on Kosovo: "As in many other matters, Bosnia and Herzegovina is deeply divided over Kosovo's independence. The parliament of the 'Republika Srpska' entity, which covers 49 percent of the country's territory, adopted a special resolution denouncing Kosovo's independence and wide demonstrations have been organized there in protest. Keeping in mind that Serb leaders of that entity have threatened to secede from Bosnia and Herzegovina and join Serbia as compensation for losing Kosovo, Bosnian Presidency Chairman Haris Silajdžić said simply that his country is 'unlikely to recognize Kosovo's independence any time soon due to strong objections from its own Serb community'".[124]
The Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj informed the public on 2 August 2008 that by law Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot accept Kosovan passports, until the Bosnian presidency makes such a determination.[125]
On 26 September 2008 while attending General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, Bosnian President Haris Silajdžić said in a Voice of America interview broadcast back to Bosnia in local language that he supports Kosovo's independence and is opposed to Serbia's request that the International Court of Justice issue an opinion on the legitimacy of Kosovo's independence.[126] Silajdžić spoke in his own name as the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina did not adopt a platform which would allow him to speak officially.[127]
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 Brazil |
The Brazilian government reaffirmed its belief that a peaceful solution for the issue of Kosovo must continue to be sought through dialogue and negotiation, under the auspices of the United Nations and the legal framework of Resolution 1244 of the Council Security. In his recent declarations, the Minister of Foreign Relations Celso Amorim defended that Brazil should await a UN Security Council decision before defining its official position on the matter of Kosovo's independence.[128][129] |
|
 Chile |
In a 27 February 2008 press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile called on the parties concerned to achieve, by peaceable means, through dialogue and adherence to the international law, a solution that respects the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter. Chile will continue to analyse the discussions that have taken and are taking place, both in the UN Security Council, and in the Council of Ministers of the European Union.[130] |
|
 People's Republic of China |
The Chinese Foreign Minister has made a statement stressing that the PRC "expresses grave concern" over Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. The Minister's remarks go on to add that "The resolution of the Kosovo issue bares sic on peace and stability of the Balkan region, the fundamental norms governing international relations as well as the authority and role of the UN Security Council. China always believes that a plan acceptable to both Serbia and Kosovo through negotiations is the best way to resolve this issue. The unilateral move taken by Kosovo will lead to a series of consequences. China is deeply worried about its severe and negative impact on peace and stability of the Balkan region and the goal of establishing a multi-ethnic society in Kosovo. China calls upon Serbia and Kosovo to continue negotiations for a proper resolution within the framework of the international law and work together to safeguard peace and stability of the Balkan region. The international community should create favorable conditions for that."[131][132] On 15 May 2008, the Foreign Ministers of India, Russia and China made a joint statement regarding Kosovo during the conference in Ekaterinburg. It was read by the host minister, Sergey Lavrov of Russia, and it said "In our statement, we recorded our fundamental position that the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo contradicts Resolution 1244. Russia, India and China encourage Belgrade and Pristina to resume talks within the framework of international law and hope they reach an agreement on all problems of that Serbian territory".[133][4][134][135] |
 permanent member of the UNSC |
 Cuba |
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba has not issued an official statement regarding the independence of Kosovo.[136][137][138]
On 29 February 2008, writing in his personal "Reflections of Fidel" column, which is published in the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba, Granma Internacional (and since translated into English and archived on the Radio Rebelde website), Fidel Castro, the ex-President and the current foreign policy advisor to Raúl Castro, attacked Javier Solana, accusing him of being the ideological father of Kosovo's "independence", and by doing so, putting at risk the ethnic cohesion and the very state integrity of Spain or The United Kingdom, both of which experience separatist movements of their own. Referring to Kosovo "independence" (in quotes), Castro made no identifiable statement concerning Cuba possibly withholding its recognition of Kosovo, or granting it.[139]
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 Cyprus |
Then Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, of the Papadopoulos administration, stated "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".[140] Newly elected President Dimitris Christofias has confirmed that Cyprus would not recognise Kosovo as an independent country, out of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia.[141] Christofias reiterated his opposition to recognition in an interview with a Russian newspaper, saying, "The one thing that Kosovo and Cyprus have in common, as far as the situation in these regions is concerned, is that in both cases, the basic principles of international law and legality, as well as UN decisions, are constantly being violated". The Cypriot president underlined that the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of both Serbia and the Republic of Cyprus were being violated in the most brutal manner.[142] |
 EU member |
 Egypt |
A Foreign Ministry spokesman urged the parties to abide by international law and support regional stability, but did not say whether Egypt recognises Kosovo.[143] At the summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference on 10 March 2008, Egypt opposed adoption of the document, proposed by Turkey, that would lend support to Kosovo's declaration of independence.[117] On 19 June 2008, during the meeting of Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Egypt was among countries that opposed the recognition of Kosovo as an independent country.[109] On 29 September 2008, Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that his government is closely following all developments in Kosovo and the region, and that his country will act at the right time regarding the issue of recognition of Kosovo.[144] In an interview to Večernje novosti on 29 September 2008, the Ambassador of Egypt to Serbia, Adel Ahmed Naguib, stated that Egypt respects Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and believes that an agreement should be found to satisfy both sides, for a win-win outcome.[145] |
|
 Georgia |
The Foreign Minister of Georgia, David Bakradze, said on 18 February 2008 that Tbilisi would not recognise Kosovo's independence, adding: "I think everyone in Georgia, regardless of political orientation, is unanimous on this".[143][146][147] 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 is only natural that eventually Georgia will 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 to the world.[148] On 9 May 2008 President of Georgia, Mikhail Saakashvili, said "We are saying loud and clear that we have never planned to recognize Kosovo. Nor do we plan to do so in the future. The way out of the situation that has been chosen is not the best one. The Serbs should have been given more time for negotiations. The solution for Kosovo was a hasty one".[149] |
|
 Ghana |
In mid-March 2008, Ghanaian president John Agyekum Kufuor stated that Ghana "would be guided by consultations through the United Nations (UN) system", and that he "wished the best for Serbia to attain genuine peace and stability".[150] |
|
 Greece |
The day after the declaration, Greece stated that it would make a decision whether to recognise independent Kosovo or not after examining the issue in depth and that its decision would come as a result of close cooperation with European and neighbouring countries, bearing in mind Serbia's role in maintaining regional stability.[151]
On 7 July 2008, according to New Kosova Report, President Karolos Papoulias said that his "country is doing positive small and diligent steps in the direction towards recognizing Kosovo independence".[152] According to Tanjug, on the other hand he pointed out that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 was still in force and questioned "how can the important principle of territorial integrity be ignored?" He also stated that both the U.S. and Russia had an interest in the Balkans, adding that "Europe has made big mistakes in the Balkans".[153]
On 29 August 2008, following the crisis in the Caucasus, an MFA spokesman replied in passing during a press briefing that Greece did not recognise Kosovo and will not recognise South Ossetia and Abkhazia because "the basic principle of respect for the territorial integrity and independence of states" is of "long-standing importance to, and is a fundamental constant of, the Greek foreign policy of all Greek governments".[154] Subsequent official statements issued by the Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis in August and September 2008 about Greece's engagement in EULEX said that Greece has interest in the betterment of the living conditions in Kosovo, especially that of minorities.[155]
As of September 2008, Kosovan citizens can be issued visas in Greek liaison office in Pristina in a specific process as the Kosovan passports are not recognised.[156] Also, according to Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, Dora Bakoyannis herself extended an invitation for Kosovo to open a visa-granting liaison office in Athens.[157]
|
EU member
NATO member |
 Haiti |
On 28 August 2008, the Parliament Speaker of the Republic of Kosovo, Jakup Krasniqi, was informed in a meeting with the Ambassador of Haiti to the US, Raymond Joseph, that the "Haitian government is in the process of recognition of Kosovo independence".[158] |
|
 India |
On 18 February 2008, in response to questions on developments regarding Kosovo, an official spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "It has been India's consistent position that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be fully respected by all states. We have believed that the Kosovo issue should have been resolved through peaceful means and through consultation and dialogue between the concerned parties. We have taken note of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by Kosovo. There are several legal issues involved in this Declaration. We are studying the evolving situation".[159]
In March 2008, the Indian ambassador to Serbia, Ajay Swarup, told a Serbian newspaper, "India's position on Kosovo has been and still is consistent, and that is that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country must be fully respected by all other countries". Swarup added that a "high level of India's support to Serbia" can be seen from the comments and articles which appeared in the Indian press following Kosovo's declaration. Swarup also pointed out that Kosovo "can set a very dangerous precedent for similar cases around the world".[160]
On 15 May 2008, the Foreign Ministers of India, Russia and China made a joint statement regarding Kosovo during the conference in Ekaterinburg. It was read by the host minister, Sergey Lavrov of Russia, and it said "In our statement, we recorded our fundamental position that the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo contradicts Resolution 1244. Russia, India and China encourage Belgrade and Pristina to resume talks within the framework of international law and hope they reach an agreement on all problems of that Serbian territory".[133][4][134][135]
On 31 July 2008, Ambassador Swarup stated that "India abides by the principles of international law and does not recognize Kosovo's secession".[161] |
|
 Indonesia |
On 19 February 2008, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo said that the Indonesian government will closely observe developments in Kosovo and is not yet in a position to give its recognition to the unilaterally declared independence. The issue will be debated in parliament among the Indonesian parties.[162] At the summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference on 10 March 2008, Indonesia opposed adoption of the document, proposed by Turkey, that would lend support to Kosovo's declaration of independence.[117] On 27 March, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda stated that Indonesia does not see Kosovo as a religious, but as an ethnic and political problem as well as the question of principle of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of a UN member. He said that "Indonesia supports a solution to the Kosovo problem with peaceful means, through dialogue and negotiations", and added that "Indonesia supports Serbia's idea that the UN General Assembly asks for opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legality of declaration of independence by Kosovo".[163] On 19 June, during the meeting of Organisation of the Islamic Conference, Indonesia was among countries that opposed the recognition of Kosovo as an independent country.[109] On 26 August, the Ambassador of Indonesia in Belgrade, Muhammad Dalimunthe, said that "Indonesia stands firmly behind the notion that every move on the international scene must be based on international law, and that is not the case with the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence. Our stance starts with the fact that we respect Serbia's integrity", and that Indonesia insisted among Islamic countries that Kosovo is a political and not a religious issue.[164] |
non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of the declaration of independence |
 Iran |
On 13 March, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran, after considering the region's issues and conditions, had not recognised the independence of Kosovo.[165]
In early March, Gholamreza Ansari, Ambassador of Iran to Russia, said that "this question has very important aspects. Frankly speaking, the United Nations divided one of its members into two parts, though Article 1244 confirms the territorial integrity of Serbia. This is a very strange event. We think that some countries try to weaken international organizations. Presently, Iran is studying the question of Kosovo's future. Iran... expresses its concern over the weakening of international organizations".[166]
|
 Israel |
"We haven't decided when we're going to decide, and instead will monitor events and consider the issue," an Israeli Foreign Ministry official saidwho?. Israel will not recognise Kosovo's independence at this time, in part because of the possibility of Palestinians using recognition of Kosovo to justify their own unilateral declaration of independence.[167] Foreign Ministry officials and politicianswho? are privately voicing a general sympathy towards the Kosovar cause.[168] Knesset representative Ruhama Avraham Balila said that "at present the government of Israel has made decision not to join the group of countries which recognised the independence of Kosovo". She also said that Israel considers the situation "very disturbing".[169] |
|
 Jordan |
Jordan is awaiting the United Nations Security Council's decision.[170] |
|
 Kazakhstan |
A Kazakh foreign ministry spokesperson said that Kazakhstan opposes Kosovo's unilateral proclamation of independence. Kazakhstan insists the Kosovo issue should be solved peacefully in accordance with UN principles on national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the spokesperson said.[171] |
|
 Kuwait |
Kuwait's ambassador to Russia said that his country "hopes that all participants of this discussion will listen to a voice of reason and will find the conciliatory proposal".[172] |
|
 Kyrgyzstan |
Kyrgyzstan will not recognise Kosovo's independence and considers it a dangerous precedent for separatist organisations in the world.[173][174] |
|
 Laos |
On 27 February 2008, the 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".[175] |
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 Libya |
According to Serbia, Abdulhati Al Obeidi, Secretary for European Affairs of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, after meeting with the Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremić on 17 March 2008, stated that Libya will not recognise a unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo. Al Obeidi said that Libya strongly supports the position of Serbia regarding Kosovo, despite the pressure from the European Union and some Islamic nations to recognise, and that Libya considers the unilateral declaration of independence illegal. Al Obeidi stated that Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi considers the UN Security Council to be the only place where the Kosovo problem can be solved the right way.[176][177] On
2 October 2008, according to Kosovan Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni, the Libyan ambassador at the United Nations, Giadalla Ettalhi, pledged to back Kosovo's independence while opposing Serbia's initiative to contest this.[178] || | |
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