Politics of Kosovo
Constitution and law
Executive President Vjosa Osmani Prime Minister Albin Kurti Second Kurti cabinet Government
Legislature Assembly Chairman: Glauk Konjufca
Judiciary Constitutional Court Kosovo Judicial Council
Administrative divisions Districts Municipalities
Recent elections Presidential: 2011 2016 2021 Parliamentary: 2014 2017 2019 Local: 2009 2013 2017 2021 Referendums: 1991 2012 2024 Political parties PDK LDK AAK SLS VV AKR
Foreign policy Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign relations Visa policy Declaration of independence Diplomatic recognition ICJ advisory opinion Accession to European Union Diplomatic missions in Kosovo / of Kosovo Brussels Agreement Belgrade–Pristina negotiations
Other countries

The international reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence followed the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo's Parliament from Serbia, carried out on 17 February 2008 by a 109 for to 0 against vote, with representatives of the Serb minority, all 11 of them, boycotting the proceedings.^[1] The act proclaimed the Republic of Kosovo. Concurrently, letters were sent to all the world's governments, soliciting recognition. Accordingly, on February 28 2008, Germany became the first country to formalize its recognition of Kosovo by renaming its diplomatic office in Pristina into an embassy;^[2] and on March 8 2008, the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt became the first foreign minister to officially visit Kosovo since it declared its independence.^[3]

As of 7 March 2008, 27 sovereign UN member states, as well as several other entities, including other states, recognised the Republic of Kosovo. Notably, a majority of EU member states (16 out of 27) has formally recognised Kosovo; 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. However, some 20 other UN member states have either officially declined to extend their recognition, or are unlikely to do so. 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 as illegal.

Of Kosovo's neighbour states other than Serbia, Albania has recognised its declaration of independence, while Macedonia and Montenegro are still noncommittal, with Macedonia broaching the outstanding issue of border demarcation between Kosovo and Macedonia, now raised with the new Pristina government, yet previously negotiated with the government in Belgrade. This may imply a measure of recognition, but for now has merely resulted in a dispute, as Kosovars demanded being recognized first.^[4]

The Government of Serbia will recall Serbian ambassadors from states recognising Kosovo, as it already has in the case of the United States,^[5] Australia,^[6] France, Turkey,^[7] Germany^[8], Belgium, Peru^[9], Switzerland^[10], Poland^[10] and Austria^[10] for consultations, as part of the overall diplomatic answer to the recognition of Kosovo.

States which formally recognise Kosovo as independent

	Country	Date of recognition	Status of reciprocal diplomatic missions	Notes
1	Afghanistan[11][12]	18 February 2008		Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) member state
2	Costa Rica[13]	18 February 2008 (17 February local time)		non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at the time of the declaration of independence
3	Albania[14][15][16]	18 February 2008	Embassy of Albania in Pristina[17] Embassy of Kosovo in Tirana[18]	OIC member state North Atlantic Treaty Organization/Organisation (NATO) candidate country
4	France[19][20][21]	18 February 2008		permanent member of the UNSC European Union (EU) member state NATO member state
5	Turkey[22]	18 February 2008		OIC member state NATO member state EU candidate country
6	United States[23]	18 February 2008	US Office Pristina, Kosovo[24]	permanent member of the UNSC NATO member state
7	United Kingdom[25][26][21]	18 February 2008	British Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo[27]	permanent member of the UNSC EU member state) NATO member state
8	Australia[28]	19 February 2008
9	Senegal[29]	19 February 2008		OIC member state
10	Malaysia[30][31]	20 February 2008	Liaison Office of Malaysia in Pristina[32]	OIC member state
11	Latvia[33]	20 February 2008		EU member state NATO member state
12	Germany[34]	20 February 2008	Embassy of Germany in Pristina[35]	EU member state NATO member state
13	Estonia[36]	21 February 2008		EU member state NATO member state
14	Italy[37]	21 February 2008	Italian Office in Pristina[38]	EU member state non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of the declaration of independence NATO member state
15	Denmark[39]	21 February 2008		EU member state NATO member state
16	Luxembourg[40]	21 February 2008		EU member state NATO member state
17	Peru[41]	22 February 2008
18	Belgium[42][43]	24 February 2008	Liaison Office of Belgium in Pristina[44]	EU member state non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of the declaration of independence NATO member state
19	Poland[45]	26 February 2008		EU member state NATO member state. Noted in some media as the first Slavic country to recognize Kosovo.
20	Switzerland[46]	27 February 2008	Liaison Office of Switzerland in Pristina[47]
21	Austria[48]	28 February 2008	Austrian Office Pristina[49]	EU member state
22	Ireland[50]	29 February 2008		EU member state
23	Sweden[51]	4 March 2008	Swedish Office, Pristina[52]	EU member state
24	Netherlands [53]	4 March 2008		EU member state NATO member state
25	Iceland [54]	5 March 2008		EEA member state NATO member state
26	Slovenia [55]	5 March 2008		EU member state President country of Council of the European Union at the time of declaration NATO member state First country of the former Yugoslavia to recognize Kosovo.
27	Finland [56] [57]	7 March 2008		EU member state

States which declared formal intent to recognise Kosovo

Country	Evidence	Notes
Croatia	On 7 March 2008 Prime Minister Ivo Sanader revealed that Croatia would recognise Kosovo's independence in March 2008, though he did not specify a date.[58] Cabinet and opposition party leader share position on Kosovo; they have earlier indicated that Croatia would recognize, after the majority of the EU countries had done so.[59] The foreign minister has also explained that Croatia would wait for the majority of EU members to recognize Kosovo first.[60]	EU candidate country NATO candidate country non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of the declaration of independence
Lithuania [61]	On February 18 the President initiated Parliamentary proceedings. Parliament: Foreign relations committee approval 22 February.[62] Parliament decision: 10 March.[63]	EU member state NATO member state
Norway [64]	Cabinet decision: 20 February 2008 Royal assent: At a Council of State meeting (to be announced)	EEA member state NATO member state

States which do not recognise Kosovo or have yet to decide

Country	Evidence	Notes
Serbia [65]	Claims Kosovo as part of its sovereign territory. See also 2008 protests in Serbia. On 8 March, 2008, the Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica resigned, dissolving the coalition government, saying it was too divided over the Kosovo situation to carry on. A general election will be held in early May.[66][67]
Argentina [68]	Argentina will not make a formal statement on the issue .[69]According to Argentina's foreign minister, Jorge Taiana, his country will not recognise the independence of Kosovo because it "sets a dangerous precedent", and because the country "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.[68]
Armenia	Foreign Minister of Armenia Vartan Oskanian, stated that Armenia has no intention to recognize the independence of Kosovo yet and that they would come up with a final decision regarding Kosovo at a later date. Oskanian also added that, "Granting independence to Kosovo, the international community violated the legal norms but forgot Karabakh".[70]
Azerbaijan	"We view this illegal act as being in contradiction with international law. Proceeding from this, Azerbaijan's position is clear: it does not recognize (Kosovo's) independence." said Khazar Ibrahim, head of the press service at Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry.[71] Azerbaijan has withdrawn peacekeepers from Kosovo because, "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.", stated Zahid Oruj, member of the parliamentary committee on defence and security.[72]	OIC member state
Bangladesh	A Government spokesman said "The interests of the people of Kosovo have always been close to Bangladeshi hearts, and we are proud to have contributed to the stability of that region through our peace-keepers. We are following the issue very closely with like-minded countries, and also the relevant on-going Security Council deliberations at the U.N.".[73]	OIC member state
Brazil	External Relations Ministry issued a statement on February 18, 2008, declaring that Brazil is "monitoring closely the situation [that has] arisen from Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence", recalling that "the matter is before the UN Security Council, including in light of the legal framework of Resolution 1244 (1999)", that "Brazil hopes for the prevalence of a constructive orientation and of a political will that allows for the reaching of a satisfactory situation, calls upon the parties involved to display maximum restraint so as not to endanger the peace and security of the region and to secure the rights of minorities" stressing that it favours "the continuity of negotiations under the auspices of the UN", and that it considers that "a solution must be found at the multi-lateral level".[74][75]
Belarus [76]	The National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, the national parliament, has issued a statement condemning the declaration of independence and encouraged all nations to call the move "illegal" under international law.[77][78] President Alexander Lukashenko wrote in a letter to President Boris Tadić that "Belarus expresses its solidarity with the Serbians’ intention to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity".[79]
Bolivia [80]	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.[80]
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Nebojša Radmanović, member of the tripartite presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina will not recognise Kosovo independence and called Kosovo an internal matter of Serbia.[81] Željko Komšić, presiding member of the presidency, has stated that "Bosnia will not recognize Kosovo soon, and there is consensus within the Bosnian State Presidency on the issue".[81]
Bulgaria[82]	Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ivaylo Kalfin announced that he would propose to the government to establish relations with the Kosovo authorities.[83][84] Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said that Bulgaria will proceed to establish political connections with Kosovo only after making sure the main points of the Ahtisaari Plan are implemented.[85] Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov said other factors affecting Bulgaria's stance would be institution-building in Kosovo, its respect for human rights and for the rights of minorities including Serbs.[86]	EU member state NATO member state
Burkina Faso	Burkina Faso said it would take note of the new situation and stated that it hopes that violence would not erupt.[87]	OIC member state non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of the declaration of independence
Canada	Canada has not yet taken a position on Kosovo's independence, and is not expected to move rapidly on the issue, because it does not wish to encourage separatism within its French-speaking province of Quebec.[88] Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien noted that Canada is in a "delicate" spot over the decision whether to recognise Kosovo's declaration of independence, and that "Canada has to be careful because people want to separate from Canada".[89]	NATO member state
People's Republic of China	The Chinese Foreign Minister has made the 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 bears 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", that "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", stressing that "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", and adding that "the international community should create favourable conditions for that".[90][91]	permanent member of the UNSC
Chile	Chile calls on the parties concerned to achieve, by peacable means, through dialogue and adherence to 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 Security Council of the United Nations, and in the Council of Ministers of the European Union.[92]
Colombia	Doing a "careful" analysis.[93]
Cuba[94]	Fidel Castro attacked Javier Solana accusing him of being an ideological father of Kosovo independence. Castro claims that Solana is the synthesis of pure unreasonableness and injustice. He stated that Kosovo might create precedent for Catalonia and Basque Country.[94] Fidel Castro spoke as an advisor on foreign policy unanimously approved by the National Assembly of Cuba. New President Raúl Castro has vowed to listen to Fidel's views.[95]
Cyprus	Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou Marcoullis 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,"[96] 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.[97]	EU member state
Czech Republic	Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek: "The Czech Republic will eventually recognise Kosovo's independence, but some conditions must be fulfilled... a guarantee of law and order, protection of minorities and cultural heritage and if there are some forces both of the global and the European NATO to oversee the order." He said (on 2 March 2008) the government would not discuss the issue the next week.[98]	EU member state NATO member state
Egypt	Foreign Ministry spokesman urged the parties to abide by international law and support regional stability, but did not say whether Egypt recognises Kosovo.[65]	OIC member state
Georgia	Foreign Minister of Georgia, Davit Bakradze, said on February 18 that Tbilisi would not recognize Kosovo’s independence. “I think everyone in Georgia, regardless of political orientation, is unanimous on this,” he said. [65][99][100]
Greece	President Karolos Papoulias said that "a solution for the future status of Kosovo must be mutually acceptable to both sides and in accordance with international rules and the UN charter" and that "the international community should allow as much time as necessary in order to achieve this".[101] Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated it will take all developments into consideration and make a formal statement at a later time.[102]	EU member state NATO member state
Hungary [103][104][105]	On February 18 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended Parliamentary proceedings. Parliament: To be decided. Foreign Affairs Minister Kinga Göncz stated in an interview that Hungary is not going to hurry the recognition process because they do not want to worsen the relationship with Serbia which is especially important for the Hungarian minority population living in Vojvodina[106].	EU member state NATO member state
Indonesia	Foreign Ministry spokesman Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo said on Sunday night that The Indonesian government will observe closely 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.[107]	OIC member state non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of the declaration of independence
India	"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. 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."[108]
Iraq	During a visit with the Serbian Ambassador, Iraqi Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Labeed Abbawi stated Iraq's support for UN principles regarding non-interference in internal affairs and the rights of minorities.[109]	OIC member state
Iran	Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that Iran is studying the situation and would make a decision in due course.[110]	OIC member state
Israel	"We haven't decided when we're going to decide, and instead will monitor events and consider the issue," Israeli Foreign Ministry official for Kosovo said. Israel will not recognize 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.[111] Foreign Ministry officials and politicians [are] privately voicing a general sympathy towards the Kosovar cause.[112]
Japan	Japan will carefully examine whether Kosovo meets all the requirements for a state, but is poised to recognize it in general, Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura told a press conference.[113] He said the Japanese government is "moving toward recognizing" Kosovo since the progress seen was in line with Japan's criteria for recognizing states.[114] "We do not intend to prolong the situation unnecessarily, nor do we intend to rush through this process.", said Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura on 19 February 2008.[115]	At the time of declaration, it was the chair member of the Group of Eight
Jordan	Awaiting the United Nations Security Council's decision.[116]	OIC member state
Kazakhstan	A Kazakh foreign ministry spokesperson said 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. [117]	OIC member state
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".[118]	OIC member state
Kyrgyzstan	Kyrgyzstan will not recognize Kosovo independence and considers it a dangerous precedent for separatist organizations in the world. [119][120]	OIC member state
Laos [121]	Foreign Ministry statement on Feb. 27, 2008: "The Lao PDR urged all sides to respect the resolution of the UN Security Council No 1244, dated June 10, 1999, recognizing Kosovo as a Serbian province."[121]
North Macedonia	Will be influenced by NATO and the EU, as candidate state for both. Has just now resumed border demarcation talks with Kosovo, not Serbia, which may imply that recognition is to follow.[4] "The Republic of Macedonia will decide its view when we deem it most appropriate for our interests," said President Branko Crvenkovski. Crvenkovski said that Macedonia would follow the position of NATO and the European Union on Kosovo, but he pointed out that nations in the two organizations have to yet to assume a common stand.[122][123]	EU candidate country NATO candidate country
Malta	Will make a decision at the opportune time.[124]	EU member state
Mexico	Mexico is closely monitoring the situation and asks that all parties agree peacefully, through dialogue, on the final status of Kosovo and to reach an agreement on the rights of minorities and maintaining peace and security in the Balkans.[125]
Montenegro	Prime Minister-designate Milo Djukanovic has said that Montenegro would wait for the EU members to react to the independence proclamation, and when most of them recognized independent Kosovo, Montenegro would do the same.[126]
Morocco	Morocco is reportedly worried about separatists and the secession of ethnic groups within its own territory.[127]	OIC member state
Member of the Order of Liberty [128]	Moldova will not recognize Kosovo's independence, as it fears that such a recognition will stoke separatist tendencies in its own regions.[128]
Mozambique	The Mozambican government has not yet taken a position on whether to recognize Kosovo. The Deputy Foreign Minister said, "It's a very sensitive matter and like all matters of this kind, it demands a lot of thought. Our government will work so that it may make the most appropriate decision in this case".[129]	OIC member state
New Zealand	"It's never been the New Zealand Government's position to recognise in such circumstances. Over time the way in which we deal with those who govern in the territory will, I suppose, imply whether there is recognition, but we are not intending to make a formal statement," said Prime Minister Helen Clark.[130]
Nicaragua	The chancellor of Nicaragua, Samuel Santos, said that the government of his country maintains a position of "observation" to the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo. "Nicaragua is watching the issue of Kosovo's independence, we have friends who are in agreement with this independence and other friends who disagree, there are some who are saying that (independence) is a threat to peace in that tender area. We just look at (this case) we have no opinion on this issue."[131]
Pakistan [132]	Foreign ministry says that it "support[s] the legitimate aspirations of the Kosovars."[133]	OIC member state
Panama	Panama regrets that Serbia and Kosovo could not come up with a negotiated solution and has no current policy on whether to recognise or not recognise Kosovo's independence.[134]	non-permanent member of the UNSC and Rotating President at the time of the declaration of independence
Paraguay	Paraguay has taken note of the independence declaration and is analyzing the situation.[135]
Philippines	Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said in a statement "Considering the existing sensibilities in the region, continued dialogue should be encouraged among all the parties concerned to ensure regional stability".[136]
Portugal	Portugal is in the process, and will "take a decision at the time we consider most appropriate in close dialogue with our European partners"[137][dubious – discuss]	EU member state NATO member state
Romania [138][139]	A joint session of Parliament voted not to recognise Kosovo's independence by 357 to 27. Also the President and the Prime Minister oppose recognition.[140]	EU member state NATO member state
Russia	Russian President Vladimir Putin describes the recognition of Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence by several major world powers as "a terrible precedent," ... that "breaks up the entire system of international relations," ...which have taken "centuries to evolve"."And undoubtedly, it may entail a whole chain of unpredictable consequences to other regions in the world" and that will come back to hit the West "in the face",[141] and during an official state visit to Serbia following the declaration, Russian President-elect Dmitry Medvedev reiterated support for Serbia and its stance on Kosovo.[142]	permanent member of the UNSC
Singapore	Singapore is still studying Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia. A spokesman of the Foreign Ministry dubbed the declaration of independence as a "controversial move that has many complex ramifications around the world".[143]
Slovakia [65]	The country has no plans to recognise Kosovo. Prime Minister Robert Fico thinks that the declaration of independence is analogous to the Munich Agreement that allowed the Third Reich to annex the Czechoslovak territory of Sudetenland.[144]	EU member state NATO member state
Sri Lanka [145]	The Sri Lankan foreign ministry called Kosovo's declaration of independence a violation of the U.N. Charter and emphasized its concern that the act "could set an unmanageable precedent in the conduct of international relations, the established global order of sovereign states and could thus pose a grave threat to international peace and security."
South Africa	South Africa has called for further negotiation between Serbia and Kosovo, in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.[146]	non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of the declaration of independence
South Korea	"We are now closely watching the international community's reaction to independence of Kosovo, and it's not the right time for us to determine whether to give diplomatic recognition to Kosovo or not," Cho Hee-yong, spokesman of the foreign ministry, said.[147][148]
Spain [65]	Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos said that "the Government of Spain will not recognise the unilateral act proclaimed by the assembly of Kosovo [...] We will not recognise because we consider [...] this does not respect international law." He also added that in order for it to be legal, secession requires either an agreement between the parties or a U.N. Security Council resolution.[149]	EU member state NATO member state
Sudan	Sudan is reportedly worried about separatists and the secession of ethnic groups within its own territory, such as Southern Sudan or Darfur.[127]	OIC member state
Tajikistan	Asomudin Saidov, Foreign Minister, stated that Tajikistan will not recognize Kosovo independence as it considers it to be the violation of legal norms and a danger for Europe. [150]	OIC member state
Thailand	Awaiting the decision of the United Nations Security Council.[151]
Uganda	The Ugandan government is carefully studying Kosovo's declaration of independence before it makes a decision to recognise it as a state or not.[152]	OIC member state
Ukraine	President stated that Ukraine’s position on the situation is following first of all national interests and international law. He emphasised that Ukraine in its position proceeds from the opinion that the decision on recognising Kosovo or not requires timing for most of the world's countries. "We proceed from hope that resources of regulation through talks have not been yet exhausted".[153] Ministry of Foreign affairs stated that "The multilateral mechanisms, such as EU, OSCE, UN, should play an important role".[154] Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee for Foreign Affairs Oleh Bilorus, said "Ukraine will back Serbia's stand on Kosovo".[155]
Uruguay	According to unnamed governmental sources quoted in Uruguayan press, Uruguay will not recognize Kosovo’s declaration of independence, because doing so would not be in accordance with its required three pillars of recognition: the principle of territorial integrity of states, achieving a solution through dialogue and consensus, and recognition by international organizations.[156]
Uzbekistan	The Uzbek government believes that questions of independence should be decided in the UN assembly. As for Kosovo, Uzbekistan has yet to come up with a final position.[157]	OIC member state
Vatican City	Pope Benedict XVI said the Vatican called for "prudence and moderation" in Kosovo and Serbia. The Holy See urged politicians in the region to show "a decisive and concrete commitment to ward off extremist reactions and violence", Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi announced. "The Holy Father continues to look with affection at the people of Kosovo and Serbia, is close to them and is praying at this crucial moment of their history," the statement said. [158][159]	Though the Vatican is an observer at the UN, it is not a member state. The Vatican maintains official diplomatic relations with most UN member states.
Venezuela [80]	Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced that Venezuela does not recognise Kosovo's independence on the grounds that it has been achieved through U.S. pressure and criticised a recent political movement calling out for a more autonomous Zulia state.[160]
Vietnam	U.N. Ambassador Le Luong Minh "reaffirmed Vietnam policy that the fact that Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is not a correct implementation of the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 and that will only complicate the situation in Kosovo and the Balkan region". [161]	non-permanent member of the UNSC at the time of the declaration of independence
Zambia	"Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande says Zambia has not decided its position on the declaration of Kosovo's independence. Mr. Pande said the government needs more time to analyse the matter."[162]

Other relevant entities

International organisations

	International organisation	Notes
1	UN	Russia called an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council on 17 February, but the council members, given differences in stated position between permanent members, failed to reach a consensus. Russia requested another meeting on 18 February. With Russia stating its intention to use its veto to prevent any recognition by the United Nations, Kosovo has no current prospects for membership.[163] Member states (27 / 192)
2	EU	Member states decide individually whether to recognise Kosovo, and the majority of member states have recognised Kosovo. The European Union on 18 February officially stated that would take note of the resolution of the Kosovo assembly.[164] There would be no EU recognition because some member states have internal separatists wanting to use Kosovo as a precedent for independence and any one of the 27 member states can veto any recognition by the EU as a body. The EU is sending a EULEX mission to Kosovo, which includes a special representative and 2000 police and judicial personnel.[165][166] Member states (16 / 27) Candidates (1 / 3) Austria* • Belgium* • Bulgaria • Cyprus** • Czech Republic • Denmark* • Estonia* • Finland* • France* • Germany* • Greece • Hungary • Ireland* • Italy* • Latvia* • Lithuania • Luxembourg* • Malta • Netherlands* • Poland* • Portugal • Romania** • Slovakia** • Slovenia* • Spain** • Sweden* • United Kingdom* * - Have already accepted Kosovo independence separately. ** - Have stated they will not recognise Kosovo.
3	IMF	Kosovo is not a member of the International Monetary Fund. It will have to apply and go through the membership process in order to receive IMF financial support. IMF presently provides technical assistance and monitors the economic development of Kosovo.[167]
4	NATO	NATO maintains that its ongoing Kosovo Force mission and mandate remain unchanged and continues to operate under the agreement "between KFOR and the Republic of Serbia from June 1999".[168] Member states (15 / 26) Candidates (2 / 3) Belgium* • Bulgaria • Canada • Czech Republic • Denmark* • Estonia* • France* • Germany* • Greece • Hungary • Iceland* • Italy* • Latvia* • Lithuania • Luxembourg* • Netherlands* • Norway • Poland* • Portugal • Romania** • Slovakia** • Slovenia* • Spain** • Turkey* • United Kingdom* • United States* * - Have already accepted Kosovo independence separately. ** - Have stated they will not recognise Kosovo.
5	OIC	'Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Prof. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu said "Kosovo has finally declared its independence after a long and determined struggle by its people. As we rejoice this happy result, we declare our solidarity with and support to our brothers and sisters there. The Islamic Umma wishes them success in their new battle awaiting them which is the building of a strong and prosperous a state capable of satisfying of its people".[169] All member states have endorsed the declaration, but the OIC is leaving official recognition to the individual states.[170] Member states (5 / 57) Afghanistan* • Albania* • Algeria • Azerbaijan** • Bahrain • Bangladesh • Benin • Burkina Faso • Brunei • Cameroon • Chad • Comoros • Côte d'Ivoire • Djibouti • Egypt • Gabon • Gambia • Guinea • Guinea-Bissau • Guyana • Indonesia • Iran • Iraq • Jordan • Kuwait • Kazakhstan** • Kyrgyzstan** • Lebanon • Libya • Maldives • Malaysia* • Mali • Mauritania • Morocco • Mozambique • Niger • Nigeria • Oman • Pakistan • Palestine • Qatar • Saudi Arabia • Senegal* • Sierra Leone • Somalia • Sudan • Suriname • Syria • Tajikistan** • Turkey* • Tunisia • Togo • Turkmenistan • Uganda • Uzbekistan • United Arab Emirates • Yemen * - Have already accepted Kosovo independence separately. ** - Have stated they will not recognise Kosovo.
6	OSCE	On Feb. 18, 2008, Chairman Ilkka Kanerva stated that each of the 56 members of the OSCE will decide themselves whether or not to recognise Kosovo.[171] The next day, Kanerva and OSCE Minorities Commissioner Knut Vollebæk called for Kosovo's government to vigorously implement agreed-upon frameworks regarding minorities.[172] Serbia has vowed to oppose OSCE membership for Kosovo and is calling for the organisation to condemn the declaration of independence.[171]
7	UNPO	The Hague-based Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, whose members comprise 69 entities seeking self-determination and representation, of which Kosovo (listed as Kosova) is one, issued a statement on 18 February 2008, which included:[173] "For regions in similar conditions, Kosova’s independence represents new hope for the future of their own potential statehood." "Not acknowledged by China, however, is how Kosova’s independence will affect Chinese ethnic states of Tibet, East Turkistan and Inner Mongolia." In the days that followed, several African UNPO members expressed on the internet their own individual secession-minded reactons to Kosovo's independence.[174]

International sports federations

	Entity	Notes
1	International Olympic Committee	A Kosovo Olympic team is unlikely for Beijing. Kosovo sportsmen may compete under Olympic flag. On 17 February 2008, the president of the IOC's commission of international relations announced that IOC is set to recognise Kosovo.[175] A day later, IOC spokeswoman specified the requirements which Kosovo needs to meet before being recognised by the IOC, most notably it has to be recognised by the United Nations as independent first (a condition not imposed on some Olympic participants such as Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and Palestine).[176]
2	International Ski Federation	Observer status.[177]
3	International Table Tennis Federation	Kosovo ping-pong players compete as Kosovo since 2003, presently participating in the world championships underway in China (it is the 4th world championships in table tennis participation by Kosovo already)[178]
4	International Handball Federation	Recognized member since 2004.[177]

Ecclesiastic and other religious organizations

	Entity	Notes
1	File:SPC-zastava.jpg Serbian Orthodox Church	In a statement to Glas Javnosti, a Serbian journal, the Bishop Artemije of Ras and Prizren Eparchy (the diocese which covers Kosovo) said: "Kosovo was and will always be Serbian", adding that independence declaration will be "a temporary state of occupation", and that "Serbia must buy arms from Russia and other countries, and ask Russia to send volunteers and build a military presence in Serbia".[179][180] Acting Head of the Church Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Amfilohije Radović has subsequently urgently criticised Kosovo's declaration of independence, followed by Patriarch Paul.
2	Other Orthodox Churches	Support Serbia. No Orthodox Church has voiced their support for Kosovo independence.[181][182][183]
3	File:IZS logo.GIF Islamic Community of Serbia	The Islamic Community of Serbia has stated that the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo is an act of political violence and it hence does not welcome the move, which according to it can awake further disintegration amongst peoples. It has called upon Islamic states in the world to think twice before moving to recognise Kosovo's independence.[184]

Regions or political parties striving for more autonomy or independence

	Entity	Notes
1	Basque Country	Although the PNV (conservative nationalism) spokeswoman Miren Azkarate referred to the Kosovo's secession process as a pacifistic and democratic example of how a problem of national identity can be solved[185] left-wing independentists had considered Kosovo independence as fascist, fake and reactionary.[186]
2	Catalonia	The vice president of Catalan government Josep-Lluís Carod-Rovira sent congratulations to the prime minister of Kosovo because his country has achieved the independence and the freedom from parliamentary way.[187] Moreover, a popular campaign of recognition of Kosovo as an independent state has also been created.[188]
3	Flanders	Flemish minister for foreign affairs Geert Bourgeois supports both the declaration of independence of Kosovo and the decision of the Belgian federal government to recognise it. Moreover, he sends a delegation to Pristina in order to investigate how Flanders and the State of Kosovo can cooperate in the future.[189]
4	Kurdistan	The Kurdish newspapers announced that many people greeted the Kosovo independence from Serbia.[190]
5	Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People (Crimea in Ukraine)	Mustafa Cemilev, the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People supported the right of self-determination for every nation, also for Kosovo.[191] He also added that Crimean Tatars, leader of which he is, will not start secession process from Ukraine if the rights of Crimean Tatars will be respected. Mustafa Cemilev thinks that the motive for the Kosovars to declare independence was anti-Albanian situation in Kosovo.[192]
6	Parti Québécois & Bloc Québécois	The former governing party of Québec, the sovereignist Parti Québécois, sent congratulations to the people of Kosovo, echoing its stance in favour of national sovereignty for Québec.[193] Gilles Duceppe, the leader of the Bloc Québécois, a sovereignist party represented in Canadian federal parliament, stated that Canada should not hesitate to recognise Kosovo as a country, and that recognition would not set a precedent for Quebec to declare unilateral independence from Canada as "every case is unique".[194]
7	Republika Srpska	Republika Srpska, one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted a resolution through which it denounces and refuses to recognise the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo from Serbia. In addition, the parliament adopted a resolution which states that in the event that a majority of EU and UN states recognise Kosovo's independence, Republika Srpska will cite the Kosovo secession as a precedent and move to hold a referendum on its own constitutional status within Bosnia and Herzegovina. Finally, the resolution calls upon all Republika Srpska officials to do everything in order to prevent Bosnia and Herzegovina from recognising Kosovo's declared independence.[195]

Partially recognised entities, seceded regions, and national independence movements

	Entity	Notes
1	Abkhazia	President Sergey Bagapsh of the non-recognized Republic of Abkhazia regards "the promotion of Kosovo by the U.S.A. and some European states towards the declaration of independence as a visible demonstration of the policy of double standards". The Sukhumi government controls most of the former Abkhazian ASSR, which was part of the former Soviet Georgia. "Why does not the world community put any attention to the violent actions against ethnic minorities living in Kosovo..., the lack of interethnic reconciliation ...", Sergey Bagapsh notes. "... We are solidly convinced of the fact that [now] we have got even wider moral base for the recognision of our independence... ."[196]
2	Chechen Republic of Ichkeria	Usman Ferzauli, the Foreign Minister of the separatist group, said that Chechen rebels "welcome the declaration of state independence by Kosovo and do not question the right of the people of Kosovo to distance themselves from the state that terrorised it".[197]
3	Republic of China (Taiwan)	The Republic of China (Taiwan), which has official diplomatic relations with 23 nations, recognised Kosovo on February 18, 2008.[198] Kosovo may not necessarily recognise the Republic of China in return. A spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Kosovo avoided reciprocating recognition, saying that the People's Republic of China is a very important country that Kosovo would like to establish diplomatic relationships with.[199][200][201]
4	Nagorno-Karabakh Republic	Georgiy Petrosyan, minister of foreign affairs of a non-recognized, de facto independent Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, does not regard the conflict between his motherland and Azerbaijan vs. conflict between Kosovo and Serbia completely similar ones. Anyway, he notes that "approaches and solutions, which have recommended themselves while regulating one problem, can be used when looking for a solution to another one". Mr. Petrosyan thinks that "the recognision of independent Kosovo will become an additional factor strengthening the status of Stepanakert government", that he represents.[202]
5	Northern Cyprus	President Talat has welcomed Kosovo's independence, but the recognized solely by Turkey state of TRNC has not yet decided to recognize Kosovo. [203] [204]
6	South Ossetia	President Eduard Kokoity of the non-recognized, Russian-supported Republic of South Ossetia regards his motherland to "have complete political and lawful bases for getting recognition [to her independence]" if Kosovo does have.[205] The Tskhinvali government which Eduard Kokoity represents is controlling most of the former South Ossetian AO which was included into the former Soviet Georgia.
7	File:Flag of Tamil Eelam.png Tamil Eelam	IRNA, the Islamic Republic News Agency, quoted sources reflecting the view of the Tamil movement that it hailed the independence of Kosovo. "According to IANS, the Colombo-based radical Tamil daily Sudar Oli in its editorial said it was not surprising that the Sri Lankan government was the first to condemn Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence (UDI)". The view of the Tamil is that "Kosovo's independence is a historical necessity, an unavoidable event" and that "Kosovo shows that the chains of oppression will not last and that some day, they will break,".[206]
8	Transnistria	Transnistria, a de-facto independent, but internationally unrecognised republic which seceded from Moldova in 1990, has no policy towards Kosovo, but the Foreign Ministry has said that, "The declaration and recognition of Kosovo are of fundamental importance, since thereby a new conflict settlement model has been established, based on the priority of people's right to self-determination. Pridnestrovie (Transnistria) holds that this model should be applicable to all similar political, legal, and economic bases."[207]
9	West Papua (Western New Guinea)	Richard Samuelson, Co-Director of the Free West Papua Campaign, based in Oxford, published a letter questioning Sir John Sawers, UK Ambassador to the UN, pointing out that Sawers' official speech at UN advocating and motivating Kosovo's independence is completely congruent point for point with advocating and motivating West Papua's independence from Indonesia, on which the UK has been silent.[208]
10	Western Sahara	The Polisario Front, which governs the partially recognised (by 45 states) Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, has stated that the speedy recognition of Kosovar independence by many countries shows the double standards of the international community, considering that the Western Sahara issue remains unsolved after three decades.[209]

See also

• List of unrecognized countries
• Controversy over Kosovo independence

References