Foreign relations of Kosovo

Politics of Kosovo
Constitution and law
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Administrative divisions
Recent elections
Foreign policy

Foreign relations of Kosovo are accomplished by efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. Kosovo operates 33 embassies abroad and is host to 22 embassies in Pristina. Kosovo has membership in several international organisations.

On 17 February 2008, members of the Assembly of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. This move was controversial among the international community. International supervision over the direction of the assembly ended in September 2012,[1] and Kosovo became responsible for its own governance.[2] The Republic of Kosovo has been recognised by 118 UN member states, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Cook Islands, and Niue. Serbia and other member states consider Kosovo as an autonomous region of Serbia.

The current Foreign Minister of Kosovo is Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz.

Status of diplomatic relations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo has initiated the process of establishing diplomatic relations with all states that have recognised Republic of Kosovo, either by opening new missions or through accreditation of non-resident ambassadors to these countries.[3]

Diplomatic relations

# Country[4] Date
1  United States 18 February 2008
2  France 18 February 2008
3  Albania 18 February 2008
4  Turkey 18 February 2008
5  United Kingdom 18 February 2008
6  Germany 20 February 2008
7  Austria 28 February 2008
8  Denmark 6 March 2008
9  Monaco 19 March 2008
10  Sweden 28 March 2008
11   Switzerland 28 March 2008
12  Belgium 10 April 2008
—  Nauru (suspended) 23 April 2008
13  Estonia 24 April 2008
14  Italy 15 May 2008
15  Slovenia 15 May 2008
16  Australia 21 May 2008
17  Bulgaria 27 May 2008
18  Latvia 11 June 2008
19  Hungary 27 June 2008
20  Netherlands 27 June 2008
21  Czech Republic 16 June 2008
22  Croatia 30 June 2008
23  Lithuania 1 September 2008
24  Norway 25 October 2008
25  Ireland 11 November 2008
26  Finland 2 February 2009
27  Japan 25 February 2009
28  Palau 25 March 2009
29  Canada 7 April 2009
30  Maldives 16 April 2009
31  Saudi Arabia 7 August 2009
32  North Macedonia 18 October 2009
33  New Zealand 9 November 2009
34  Montenegro 15 January 2010
35  United Arab Emirates 27 April 2010
36  Mauritania 14 September 2010
37  Honduras 2 December 2010
38  Qatar 7 January 2011
39  Oman 4 February 2011[5]
40  Malaysia 23 May 2011
41  Luxembourg 16 June 2011
42  Saint Lucia 19 August 2011
43  Andorra 14 September 2011
44  Malta 22 September 2011
45  Portugal 14 November 2011
46  San Marino 3 May 2012
47  Iceland 15 May 2012
48  Liechtenstein 28 June 2012
—  Ghana (suspended) 4 October 2012
49  Burkina Faso 6 December 2012
—  Dominica (suspended) 12 December 2012
50  Kuwait 16 January 2013
51  Niger 25 January 2013
52  Pakistan 27 January 2013
53  Fiji 13 February 2013
54  Djibouti 19 May 2013
55  Jordan 5 June 2013
56  Guyana 13 June 2013
57  Afghanistan 17 June 2013
58  Panama 28 August 2013
59  Federated States of Micronesia 19 September 2013
60  Costa Rica 23 September 2013
61  Grenada 25 September 2013
62  Marshall Islands 28 October 2013
63  Thailand 22 November 2013
64  Senegal 14 February 2014
65  Bahrain 12 March 2014
66  Gabon 19 March 2014
67  Tanzania 2 April 2014
68  Libya 5 May 2014
69  Vanuatu 19 May 2014
—  Togo (suspended) 27 July 2014
70  El Salvador 10 October 2014
—  Solomon Islands (suspended) 27 April 2015
—  Cook Islands 18 May 2015
71  Comoros 28 May 2015
72  Somalia 28 May 2015
—  Niue 23 June 2015
—  Sierra Leone (suspended) 24 November 2015
73  Saint Kitts and Nevis 4 March 2016
74  Belize 29 April 2016
75  Malawi 21 July 2016
76  Ivory Coast 24 August 2016
77  Gambia 22 September 2016
78  Singapore 1 December 2016
79  Tuvalu[6] 2016
80  Brunei 20 February 2017
81  Samoa 10 June 2017
82  Bangladesh[7] 16 February 2018
83  Barbados[8] 9 March 2018
84  Chad[9] 27 May 2018
85  Liberia[9] 27 May 2018
86  Guinea-Bissau[10] 10 June 2018
87  Antigua and Barbuda[11] 24 July 2019
88  Colombia[12] 1 October 2019
89  Guinea[13] 20 June 2020
90  Israel[14] 1 February 2021
91  East Timor[15] 9 March 2022

Membership in international organisations

International Organisation Political Entity Represented Application date Admission date Status
During United Nationas administration
Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) UNMIK [when?] Observer[16]
South East Europe Transport Observatory (SEETO) Kosovo* and UNMIK[17][18] 11 June 2004[19] Member
Energy Community Kosovo*[20][21] 1 July 2006 Member
European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) UNMIK 30 November 2006 Member
Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) UNMIK 6 April 2006 26 July 2007[22] Member
After the Declaration of Independence
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Republic of Kosovo 10 July 2008[23] 29 June 2009[24] Member
World Bank (WB) Republic of Kosovo 10 July 2008[25] 29 June 2009[26] Member
Adriatic Charter Kosovo*[27] 29 March 2012[28] 2012[29][30][31] Observer
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD) Republic of Kosovo[32] 2010 or 2009[33][when?] 17 December 2012[34] Member
Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)[35] Kosovo*[36][37][38] 23 February 2013[39] Member[40]
Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) Republic of Kosovo 14 June 2013[41] Member
Venice Commission Republic of Kosovo 13 June 2014[42] Member
Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) Republic of Kosovo[43] 29 November 2014[44] Observer
South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Kosovo*[45] 23 May 2015[46] Member
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Kosovo* 28 January 2016[47] Observer
Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units Republic of Kosovo 1 February 2017[48] Member
World Customs Organization (WCO) Republic of Kosovo 3 March 2017[49] Member
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Republic of Kosovo 6 November 2015[50] 5 January 2016[51][52] Member
European Qualifications Framework Advisory Group (EQF) Republic of Kosovo 18 December 2015[53][54][55] Member
International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) Republic of Kosovo 21 February 2017[56] Member
Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) Republic of Kosovo 18 March 2017[57] Member
Assemblée parlementaire de la francophonie (APF) Republic of Kosovo 9 July 2018 [58][59] Observer
Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) Republic of Kosovo 9 October 2018 [60] 11 october 2018[61] Associate
European Political Community (EPC) Kosovo* 6 October 2022[62] Member
International Commission on Missing Persons Republic of Kosovo 19 July 2023[63][64] Member
NATO Parliamentary Assembly Kosovo 24 March 2024[65] Associate

Ongoing applications

Enver Hoxhaj, Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs during 2011–14 and 2016–17, stated in November 2013 that the country was considering making applications for membership in three United Nations specialized agencies in the first half of 2013,[66] and that an application for membership of the Council of Europe in 2014 was being prepared.[67] Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi reiterated the state's desire to join in December 2014.[68] Kosovo is also preparing a membership application for the World Trade Organization.[69] Joining NATO's Partnership for Peace is a priority of the government.[70] Hoxhaj said in 2014 that Kosovo's goal is to be a full UN member state by 2020 and a NATO member state by 2022.[71][72] On 15 December 2022 Kosovo filed a formal application to become a member of the European Union.[73]

International Organisation Political Entity Represented Application date
Council of Bureaux (CoBx) Republic of Kosovo 2011[74]
NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) Republic of Kosovo July 2012[75]
International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) Republic of Kosovo April 2015[76]
Council of Europe (CoE) Republic of Kosovo 12 May 2022[77]
European Union (EU) Republic of Kosovo 15 December 2022[78][79]

Names used to represent Kosovo

Map of the Republic of Kosovo

Kosovo is represented under the name:

  • "Republic of Kosovo";
  • "Kosovo*" (with an asterisk),

depending on the particular international forum. A list is set out above. The name "Republic of Kosovo" is self-explanatory and is the preferred nomenclature of the Pristina Government. The name "Kosovo*" with an asterisk is used in other fora. Where this name is used, the asterisk is linked to a footnote which reads:

This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ opinion on Kosovo Declaration of Independence.[80][81][82]

This "Kosovo*" designation was the outcome of an arrangement agreed to between Pristina and Belgrade in talks mediated by the European Union. This arrangement, which has been dubbed the "asterisk agreement" was agreed in an 11-point arrangement agreed on 24 February 2012.[83]

"UNMIK" is an acronym for the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, which has joined several organizations on behalf of Kosovo.

International treaties and conventions

International treaty or convention Political Entity Represented Signature Ratification
Free Trade Agreement with Albania UNMIK 7 July 2003[84] 1 October 2003[85]
Free Trade Agreement with North Macedonia UNMIK 2 February 2006[85]
Free Trade Agreement with Croatia UNMIK 28 September 2006[85] 1 November 2006[85][86]
Free Trade Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina UNMIK 19 October 2006[85] 1 December 2006[85][86]
EU Pan-EURO-MED RoO convention[87] Kosovo under UNSCR 1244
Free Trade Agreement with Turkey Kosovo 27 September 2013 1 September 2019[88]
Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU Kosovo 22 October 2015[89]
UK/Kosovo: Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement Kosovo 20 December 2019
EU Schengen Area non-visa agreement[90] Kosovo 26 April 2023 [91]
13 agreements and declarations with Albania Kosovo 6 July 2023 [92]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ending of supervised independence 10 September 2012". International Civilian Office. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  2. ^ "Sixteenth and final meeting of the International Steering Group for Kosovo" (PDF). International Civilian Office. 10 September 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  3. ^ Kosova and Liechtenstein to establish diplomatic relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, 2012-06-28
  4. ^ Gëzim Visoka (2018). Acting Like a State: Kosovo and the Everyday Making of Statehood. Abingdon: Routledge. pp. 219–221. ISBN 9781138285330.
  5. ^ "Oman establishes Kosovo diplomatic ties". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Europe". Retrieved 9 August 2022.
  7. ^ "Bangladesh, Kosovo establish diplomatic ties". Daily Sun. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Foreign Minister Pacolli: I welcome the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kosovo and Barbados, while we will continue the same practice with all peaceful countries". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 9 March 2018. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Glad that Kosovo has established diplomatic relations with Liberia and Chad". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
  10. ^ "Republika e Kosovës akrediton ambasador në Republikën Guinea Bissau" (in Albanian). 19 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-06-20. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Antigua Kosovo visa waiver and diplomatic relations". 24 July 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  12. ^ "DECRETO NÚMERO 1762 DE 1 OCT 2019" (PDF) (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  13. ^ "President Thaçi received the letters of credence of the non-residential Ambassador of Guinea to Kosovo". 20 February 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Israel and Kosovo establish diplomatic relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Kosovo establishes diplomatic relations with East Timor". 9 March 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  16. ^ SECI observers Archived 2012-04-14 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Before 2013 only the UNMIK.
  18. ^ "SEETO Participants". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  19. ^ "SEETO – South-east Europe Transport Observatory". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  20. ^ Before April 2013 membership was assigned to the UNMIK.
  21. ^ "Parties". Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  22. ^ "Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) initialled" (PDF) (Press release). UNMIK – DSRSG Office for News and Communication. 2006-11-10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
  23. ^ "Statement on Membership of the Republic of Kosovo in the IMF" (Press release). International Monetary Fund. 2008-07-15. Retrieved 2009-06-29. On July 10, 2008, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) received an application for admission to membership in the IMF from the Republic of Kosovo.
  24. ^ "Kosovo Becomes the International Monetary Fund's 186th Member" (Press release). International Monetary Fund. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-29. The Republic of Kosovo became the 186th member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today when President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi signed the IMF's original Articles of Agreement at a ceremony in Washington D.C.
  25. ^ "Kosovo Application for Membership in World Bank" (Press release). World Bank. 2008-07-15. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved 2009-06-29. In the letter dated July 10, 2008, Kosovo applied for membership in the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
  26. ^ "Kosovo Joins World Bank Group Institutions" (Press release). World Bank. 2009-06-29. Archived from the original on 2015-05-20. Retrieved 2009-06-29. The Republic of Kosovo became the newest member of the five World Bank Group institutions today, when Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi signed the Articles of Agreement of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
  27. ^ "Министерство за надворешни работи". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  28. ^ Ministri i FSK-së Agim Ҫeku kërkoi antarsimin në “Karta e Adriatikut” Archived 2017-08-13 at the Wayback Machine, Ministry for Kosovo Security Force, 2012-03-29 (in Albanian): "KSF Minister Agim Ҫeku sought membership in the "Adriatic Charter" ... presented reasonable and reasoned request for membership of the Republic of Kosovo ... Next Conference of Ministers of Defense is expected to take place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where it is expected that the Republic of Kosovo is a member with full rights."
  29. ^ Kosovo looking to join the Adriatic Charter
  30. ^ "Kosovo's membership in the Adriatic Charter: What are the odds?". Instituti i Prishtinës për Studime Politike - PIPS. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  31. ^ "US, Adriatic Charter nations' military leaders reinforce charter commitments during conference". www.eucom.mil. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  32. ^ Kosovo joins EBRD: "...majority decision to include the Republic of Kosovo as member.", Estonia MFA
  33. ^ "Row heats up over Kosovo EBRD bid". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  34. ^ EBRD – Our shareholders
  35. ^ Formerly the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe
  36. ^ Before 28 February 2013 membership was assigned to the UNMIK.
  37. ^ "Hoxhaj: Anëtarësimi në RCC, historik për Kosovën". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  38. ^ "Regional Cooperation Council – News archive". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  39. ^ "Hoxhaj: Anëtarësimi në RCC, historik për Kosovën". MFA of Kosovo.
  40. ^ "Regional Cooperation Council – Structure". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  41. ^ "The Republic of Kosovo is accepted as newest member of Council of Europe Development Bank". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  42. ^ "Venice Commission :: Council of Europe". www.venice.coe.int. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  43. ^ "Kosovo Profile". francophonie.org. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  44. ^ "Le Mexique, le Costa Rica et le Kosovo membres observateurs". francophonie.org. 29 November 2014. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  45. ^ "Second Plenary Session of SEECP PA, 22–23 May 2015". rspcsee.org. 27 May 2015.
  46. ^ "Kosovo becomes South-East Coop. Process member". videonews.us. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  47. ^ "The situation in Kosovo* and the role of the Council of Europe". PACE website. 2016. Retrieved 16 Oct 2022.
  48. ^ "NJËSIA PËR INTELIGJENCË FINANCIARE BËHET ANËTARE E EGMONT GROUP". Radio Television of Kosovo. 2017-01-02. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  49. ^ Kosova anëtarësohet në Organizatën Botërore të Doganave, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, 2017-03-04 (in Albanian)
  50. ^ "Kosovo's membership in the Permanent Court of Arbitration through the 1907 Convention | International Law Observer | A blog dedicated to reports, commentary and the discussion of topical issues of international law". Archived from the original on 2017-10-15. Retrieved 2017-03-05.
  51. ^ Kosovo towards accession to the Apostille Convention and to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo
  52. ^ Kosova anëtarësohet në Gjykatën e Përhershme të Arbitrazhit, TRT in Albanian 2016-06-15
  53. ^ "Group Details - Commission Expert Group". Europa.eu.
  54. ^ "Kosova pranohet në Kornizën Evropiane të Kualifikimeve". Telegrafi.com. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
  55. ^ "REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO ACCEPTED AS A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY GROUP OF THE EUROPEAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (EQF)".
  56. ^ "Kosovo becomes a member of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies". Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of Kosovo. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
  57. ^ Kosovo joins the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, 2016-03-18
  58. ^ "Kosova vazhdon ta fuqizojë subjektivitetin ndërkombëtar, anëtarësohet në Asamblenë Parlamentare të Frankofonisë". Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  59. ^ "Kosovo". Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) (in French). Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  60. ^ "Lajm single - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo". www.mfa-ks.net. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  61. ^ "Lajm single - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo". www.mfa-ks.net. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  62. ^ "Meeting of the European Political Community, 6 October 2022".
  63. ^ "Kosovo becomes a member of the International Commission on Missing Persons". KosovaPress.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  64. ^ https://www.koha.net/en/arboretum/385748/Kosovo-becomes-a-member-of-the-international-commission-for-missing-persons/
  65. ^ "NATO PA". In Tallinn, Assembly leadership addresses Alliance transformation & Ukraine support ahead of NATO’s 75th anniversary | NATO PA. 2024-01-17. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  66. ^ "Hoxhaj: 2013, vit i suksesshëm i politikës së jashtme". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 2013-11-20. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  67. ^ "Hoxhaj: Kosova e gatshme për aplikim kredibil në Këshillin e Evropës". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 2014-01-15. Retrieved 2014-01-19.
  68. ^ "Zëvendëskryeministri i parë dhe Ministri i Jashtëm Thaçi u takua me Sekretarin e Përgjithshëm të Këshillit të Evropës, Jagland". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  69. ^ "Kosovo Ministry of Trade to apply to WTO". 2015-03-13. Archived from the original on 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2015-03-23.
  70. ^ Thaçi, Hashim. "Prioritetet e reja të Politikës së Jashtme të Kosovës". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo.
  71. ^ "Hoxhaj në Pejë, Kosova në OKB deri më 2020 (Video)". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 2014-05-15. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  72. ^ "Hoxhaj në Mitrovicë, Kosova anëtarësohet në NATO para 2022". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 2014-05-16. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  73. ^ "Kosovo formally applies for EU membership". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  74. ^ ECE/TRANS/SC.1/2012/1 – (CoB) Report from the President
  75. ^ "Kosovo seeks to join international organisations". Turkish Weekly. 2012-07-19. Archived from the original on 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
  76. ^ KOSOVA NË PRITJE TË KRITEREVE TË REJA PËR ANËTARËSIM NË INTERPOL Archived 2017-03-05 at the Wayback Machine, TV Shenja
  77. ^ Bailu, Doruntina; Cvetkovic, Sandra (2022-05-12). "Kosovo Applies For Council Of Europe In Move Sure To Anger Serbia". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2022-05-30.
  78. ^ "Kosovo Leaders Sign Application Request to Join EU". VOA. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  79. ^ "Kosovo formally applies to join EU". Reuters. 2022-12-15. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  80. ^ "Horizontal Facility II - Promotion of diversity and equality in the Western Balkans Kosovo footnote".
  81. ^ James Ker-Lindsay (3 March 2012). "The Significance of Kosovo*". E-International Relations.
  82. ^ Faith Bailey (20 July 2016). "Kosovo still dogged by status-neutral asterisk". Prishtina Insight.
  83. ^ "B92 - Insight - File Cabinet - Agreement on regional representation of Kosovo". B92. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  84. ^ "Albania - UNMIK (Kosovo)" (PDF). Retrieved 2010-04-28.
  85. ^ a b c d e f "Stability Pact" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  86. ^ a b Provisional application
  87. ^ "Agreements and conventions". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  88. ^ "Kosovo". 9 November 2021.
  89. ^ "Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Union and Kosovo signed". 27 October 2015.
  90. ^ "EU lawmakers approve visa free travel for Kosovo". 18 April 2023.
  91. ^ "UK-Kosovo partnership, trade and cooperation agreement". 20 December 2019.
  92. ^ "13 agreements are signed between the Government of Kosovo and the Government of Albania". 6 July 2023.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Foreign_relations_of_Kosovo&oldid=1218209748"