The Complexities Of Recognition: Afghanistan And Kosovo's Diplomatic Dance

Afghanistan was one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo's independence from Serbia, which was declared on 17 February 2008. The Afghan Foreign Ministry based its decision on the right for self-determination, wishing the Kosovars good luck with their new state.

As of September 2020, 104 out of 193 (53.9%) United Nations member states recognise Kosovo as an independent country. However, it is not a member of the UN and is not recognised by several members of the EU and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Afghanistan was one of the first countries to recognise Kosovo's independence

The decision was based on the right to self-determination, according to Sultan Ahmad Bahin, a spokesperson for the Afghan Foreign Ministry. "We wish the Kosovars good luck with their new state," he added.

In the days following Kosovo's declaration of independence, several other countries also recognised its sovereignty, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Albania, Australia, and Taiwan.

Despite the backing of some of the world's most influential states, Kosovo is still not a member of the UN and is recognised by fewer than half of the UN's member states. It is also not a member of the EU, although it enjoys huge support from the union.

The main cause of most of Kosovo's difficulties is its deep-rooted historical rift with its northern neighbour, Serbia, which refuses to recognise Kosovo or apologise for the atrocities of the 1998-1999 Kosovo War. The current standoff and mutual non-recognition prevent both countries from joining the EU.

The US, NATO, and EU also recognised Kosovo's independence

The US, NATO, and EU's recognition of Kosovo's independence was a significant boost to the country's international standing. As of 2020, 22 out of 27 EU member states recognise Kosovo as an independent state. However, as of 2024, Kosovo is still not a member of the UN and is recognised by fewer than 100 of the 193 UN member states.

The US, as a powerful global actor, played a significant role in Kosovo gaining independence. On the day of Kosovo's independence, US President George Bush acknowledged the country's independence, stating:

> Kosovars are now independent... This is something I have advocated along with my government... We'll watch to see how the events unfold today.

The US continues to support a multi-ethnic, democratic Kosovo, fully integrated into the international community. This remains a key pillar of US efforts to enhance stability in the Balkan region as part of a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace. The US is also the largest contributor of troops to the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), which maintains a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all of Kosovo's citizens.

NATO has also been a strong supporter of Kosovo's independence and stability. In June 2023, NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircea Geoană affirmed the organisation's commitment to Kosovo, stating:

> NATO has been committed to stability in the Western Balkans for decades; our KFOR mission on the ground, with well over 4,000 troops, is the strongest demonstration of this commitment.

NATO continues to support the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which is seen as the only way to lasting peace and security in Kosovo and stability across the region.

The EU, like NATO and the US, has played a crucial role in Kosovo's independence and ongoing development. The EU has facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, aiming for reconciliation and normalisation of relations. The EU also operates in Kosovo under the umbrella of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), deploying police and civilian resources under the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) to ensure stability and the rule of law.

The EU has designated Kosovo as a potential candidate for accession, and a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Kosovo was signed in 2016. The EU has also supported Kosovo's aspirations for full Euro-Atlantic integration, with Kosovo entering into the SAA, the first step toward EU membership.

However, it is important to note that not all EU member states recognise Kosovo's independence. As of 2023, Cyprus, Hungary, Romania, Spain, and Greece have not recognised Kosovo, and this has prevented Kosovo from joining the EU thus far.

As of 2020, Kosovo is recognised by 104 out of 193 UN member states

As of 2020, Kosovo has been recognised by 104 out of 193 UN member states. This means that Kosovo is recognised by just over half of the UN member states. However, the exact number of countries recognising Kosovo is disputed. While the website of Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists 115 UN member states that have recognised it, Serbia has claimed that it has convinced around two dozen of those countries to withdraw their recognition.

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. Since then, there has been a lot of back and forth regarding which countries have recognised Kosovo, which ones have withdrawn their recognition, and which have reaffirmed their recognition.

The recognition of Kosovo is heavily influenced by countries' relations with the US and Russia. A 2020 study found that states with stronger ties to the US are more likely to recognise Kosovo, while states with stronger ties to Russia are less likely to do so.

As of 2023, the EU, NATO, and the US all recognise Kosovo. However, Russia, China, and five EU countries—Spain, Slovakia, Cyprus, Romania, and Greece—do not.

Kosovo's independence is also not recognised by several Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Indonesia, and Pakistan. This is despite the fact that Kosovo has a Muslim-majority population.

Kosovo's prime minister, Albin Kurti, has urged all countries to recognise Kosovo's independence, stating that:

> "I think that they [countries that do not recognise Kosovo] have been misinformed by Serbia. And some of them do this because they keep some close links with the Russian Federation."

The Government of Serbia does not recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state

• Serbia's historical claim to Kosovo as part of its sovereign territory.
• The belief that Kosovo's independence could encourage other territories to seek independence, such as in Greece or Cyprus.
• Serbia's close relationship with Russia, which has rejected Kosovo's declaration of independence and considers it illegal.
• The desire to maintain control over Kosovo's natural resources, such as the Trepça mines in the north, which are rich in gold, silver, nickel and lithium.
• The presence of Serbian minorities in Kosovo, particularly in the north, who wish to remain part of Serbia.
• The belief that the process of Kosovo's independence was illegal and violated Serbia's territorial integrity. This is a view shared by several other countries, including Russia, China and five EU nations.
• The ongoing tensions and conflicts between Serbia and Kosovo, which have resulted in violence and instability in the region.
• The desire to maintain a united Serbian state and prevent further division, as happened with the former Yugoslavia.
• The influence of Serbian nationalists and ultra-nationalists, who oppose any concession to Kosovo and view it as a threat to Serbian interests.
• The role of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which has strong ties to the Serbian state and has opposed Kosovo's independence.
• The impact of the 1998-1999 Kosovo War, in which Serbia was accused of committing atrocities and human rights abuses against ethnic Albanians.
• The belief that Kosovo's independence sets a dangerous precedent for other separatist movements worldwide.
• The potential for a revival of the Kosovo War, which could lead to further bloodshed and instability in the Balkans.

Kosovo is not a member of the UN

As of September 2020, 104 out of 193 (53.9%) UN member states recognise Kosovo. However, this number is disputed, with Kosovo claiming 114 recognitions and Serbia claiming that this number has dropped to the low 90s.

Kosovo is a member of some international intergovernmental and international non-governmental organisations. It is a full member of two UN specialised agencies, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. It has also applied for membership in four more international intergovernmental organisations.

Kosovo's prime minister, Albin Kurti, has stated that he believes Kosovo will join NATO before it joins the EU, as there are four non-recognisers out of 30 members in NATO, compared to five out of 27 in the EU.

Kosovo hopes to one day join the UN as a full member, but political unrest in the region, as well as the ongoing United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), have kept the country from the political stability required to join as a functioning member state.

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