International recognition of Kosovo

In March 2008, Mourad Medelci, Algerian Foreign Minister, stated that while Algeria sympathised with all Muslim countries, it believed that international laws had to be adhered to.^[235] A year later, Medelci reaffirmed the Algerian position of Kosovo being an integral part of Serbia.^[236]

On 23 June 2008, Angolan president José Eduardo dos Santos sent a message to his Serbian counterpart, Boris Tadić, regarding Kosovo's declaration of independence. It reiterated the solidarity of dos Santos and Angola to Serbia in regard to the preservation of its sovereignty and integrity.^[237]

In February 2008, 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".^[238] He said that Argentina will not recognise it because it "supports the principle of territorial integrity", and he stressed that UNSCR 1244 called for the mutual agreement of both parties to solve the dispute.^[239] At the International Court of Justice, the Argentine delegation argued that Kosovo's declaration of independence "breaches the obligation to respect the territorial integrity of Serbia, the obligation of peaceful settlement of disputes and the principle of non-intervention", and that any solution "did not, and could not, abolish Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo".^[240]

On 12 March 2008, Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan stated that Armenia's possible recognition of Kosovo's independence would not strain Armenia–Russia relations, but also noted that "Kosovo recognition issue needs serious discussion ... Armenia has always been an adherent to the right of nations to self-determination and in this aspect we welcome Kosovo's independence",^[241] but in September 2008 Sargsyan stated that Armenia had not recognized Kosovo's independence because "Armenia can not recognize another entity in the same situation as long as it has not recognized the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic".^[241][242] On 4 April 2011 Sargsyan said that Armenia would not recognise the independence of Kosovo against Serbia's interests.^[243]

In February 2008, a spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of Azerbaijan, Khazar Ibrahim, said "We view this illegal act as being in contradiction with international law. Proceeding from this, Azerbaijan's position was clear: it does not recognise [Kosovo's] independence".^[244] Azerbaijan has also withdrawn peacekeepers from Kosovo.^[245] In 2009, Azerbaijan said, regarding Kosovo, that entities that declare secession while violating the internal laws of the state can not be considered to be states, and that a fait accompli may not be accepted.^[246] In May 2010, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev stated that the proclaimed independence of Kosovo was unilateral and an illegal move.^[247]

In April 2010, Bahamian Foreign Minister Brent Symonette said "We have considered and continue to consider the situation on the ground on both sides and maintain a status of awaiting the outcome of negotiations between Kosovo and its neighbouring countries before committing support to either of the two countries".^[248] On 26 September 2012, the Bahamian Foreign Minister, Frederick A. Mitchell, said that his state had sympathy for the independence of Kosovo, and that the Bahamas would support the state of Kosovo.^[249]

In February 2008, Belarusian 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".^[250] The National Assembly of Belarus had issued a statement condemning the declaration of independence and encouraged all nations to call the move "illegal" under international law.^[251][252]

On 19 September 2012, the representative of Bhutan to the UN, Lhatu Wangchuk, said that his country was deliberating the issue of Kosovo.^[253]

In February 2008, Bolivian president Evo Morales refused to recognise Kosovo's independence and compared Kosovo separatists to the leaders of four eastern Bolivian states who had demanded greater autonomy from the federal government.^[254] In a 4 December 2009 hearing at the ICJ, the Bolivian delegation said that Kosovo was an integral part of Serbia, that the Republic of Kosovo did not exist, and that a "unilateral declaration of independence cannot change the international regime established by the UNSC resolution, or decide the outcome of negotiations".^[255]

In October 2010, Botswana's foreign minister Phandu Skelemani said that Botswana had not yet made a decision on recognition of Kosovo pending a ruling of the European Union, and that Kosovo had promised support in the establishment of a medical school in return for its recognition.^[257]

Brazil has not recognised the independence of Kosovo, stating that any change should be reached under the auspices of the United Nations and the legal framework of UNSCR 1244.^{[citation needed]}

On 6 October 2008, the Europe Department Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, Kao Samreth, stressed that Cambodia does not wish to encourage secession in any country and therefore does not support the independence of Kosovo. Kao drew parallels to independence claims for South Ossetia and stated that Cambodia would not encourage tension within a country by supporting independence claims.^{[citation needed]}

In February 2009, Secretary of State at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia, Ouch Borith, reiterated an earlier Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement that Kosovo was a sensitive issue which they are studying carefully. Borith questioned, "if Kosovo is recognized, what about South Ossetia?"^{[citation needed]} In April 2009, it was stated that Cambodia had no plans to file a brief (either supportive of Serbia or Kosovo) in the ICJ case.^{[citation needed]}

In January 2011, the General Secretary of Cameroon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, reportedly said that his government could not deny that Kosovo's independence was irreversible, but that it would have to be careful on how to proceed in order not to create a situation that would damage Cameroon's interests and position in the world.^{[citation needed]} In 2018, Cameroon was one of 51 countries to vote against Kosovo's bid to joint Interpol, effectively blocking it from becoming a member country of the organization.^[258]

In December 2010, Cape Verde's National Director of Political Affairs and Cooperation, José Luis Rocha, said that his country will wait until there was consensus at the United Nations Security Council before considering its position.^[259]

In a 27 February 2008 press release, the Foreign Ministry 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 has declared that it would continue to analyse the discussions that have taken place both in the United Nations Security Council and in the Council of Ministers of the European Union.^[260]

On 29 February 2008, writing in his personal "Reflections of Fidel" column, which was published in the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Cuba, Granma Internacional, Fidel Castro accused Javier Solana of being the ideological father of Kosovo's "independence" (Castro's quotes) and, by doing so, of putting at risk the ethnic cohesion and the very state integrity of Spain or the UK, both of which experienced separatist movements of their own.^[262]

On 11 February 2008, the Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, stated that "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".^[263] This stance was reiterated in October 2009 by The President of Cyprus Dimitris Christofias, who said Cyprus would not recognise Kosovo, even if all other EU members did so.^[264] Cyprus recognises travel documents issued by Kosovo.^[265]

In response to a request from the University of Oxford regarding the analysis of developments related to the independence of Kosovo, in August 2008 the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry stated that there should be "unrestricted compliance with the rules and principles of the United Nations Charter and International Law".^[266]

On 1 September 2010, Equatorial Guinea's Permanent Representative to the UN, Anatolio Ndong Mba, said during a press conference that his country's foreign policy favours Kosovo's independence.^[267] In September 2011, the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is reported to have responded positively to a request for recognition by Kosovo.^[268] During a visit of Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue to Belgrade on 8 June 2022, it was stated that Equatorial Guinea has not changed its position about not recognizing Kosovo.^[269]

On 4 September 2008, the Director of the Euro-Americas Division at the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tsehaye Fassil, said that his Government had not decided whether it would recognise Kosovo's independence.^{[citation needed]}

The Foreign Minister of Georgia, David Bakradze, said on 18 February 2008 that Tbilisi would not recognise Kosovo's independence,.^{[273][274][275]} 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 was only natural that eventually Georgia would 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 publicly.^[276]

In March 2008, the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Haroldo Rodas, had said that he had objected to the recognition of Kosovo in deference to Russian concerns.

At a meeting on 26 March 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the Ambassador of Guatemala to the UN, Gert Rosenthal, said that his country's government was carefully studying the developments in Kosovo, and the ongoing preparations to present a case to the ICJ. He also said that Guatemala was working with others in Latin America to reach a decision.^[277]

On 13 March 2008, Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran, after considering the region's issues and conditions, had not recognized the independence of Kosovo.^[278]

At a meeting on 28 May 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the representative of Iraq to the UN, Hamid Al Bayati, reportedly said that Kosovo deserves to be recognised by other states and that Iraq's decision to recognise would come at a suitable time.^[279]

The Jamaican Government in 2009 refused a request from the United States to recognise Kosovo. On 23 July 2009 the Under Secretary for Multilateral Affairs at the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador Vilma McNish, indicated that she expected no change in the government of Jamaica's decision not to extend formal diplomatic recognition to Kosovo.^[280] Following April 2010 meetings with Jamaican officials, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić stated that Serbia could count on Jamaica's continued support in the "preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity".^[281] On 20 February 2020, the president of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi issued a statement on Twitter thanking Jamaica for recognizing Kosovo as a sovereign and independent country. However, this was denied by Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson-Smith the same day.^{[282][283][284]}

Kazakhstan has opposed the independence of Kosovo and has taken Serbia's position on the issue. In December 2008, Kazakh prime minister Karim Masimov stated that "We have an official position. Kazakhstan did not recognise Kosovo and does not recognise Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We consider that borders are defined and Kazakhstan will not recognise any new states".^[285]

In 2022, during a public discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, while stating that Kazakhstan would not recognise the independence of breakaway states of Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics in Eastern Ukraine, also stated that Kazakhstan will also not recognise the independence of Kosovo and other states with limited recognition, claiming that "if the right to self-determination is put into practice all over the world, then there would be chaos."^[286]

At a meeting on 30 July 2008 between Kenyan and Serbian Foreign Ministers, Moses Wetangula and Vuk Jeremić, Wetangula spoke of Kenya's principled position regarding Kosovo and the territorial integrity of Serbia.^[287] Following a September 2010 meeting with Kenyan politicians, Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha said that Kenya had promised to decide positively regarding recognition of Kosovo.^[288] In March 2023, Kenya accepted that passports issued by Kosovo are valid travel documents.^[289] In September 2023, during the UNGA 78th session, President William Ruto of Kenya and President Vjosa Osmani of Kosovo held a bilateral meeting. Kosovo's President thanked her Kenyan counterpart for recognizing Kosovo's passports and the parties discussed the possibilities of further deepening their cooperation.^[290] Kenyan foreign affairs minister Alfred Mutua confirmed his country's readiness to formally recognize Kosovo stating "117 countries have already recognized Kosovo as an independent state. We do not see any problem with recognizing Kosovo."^[291][292]

In March 2017, North Korean Ambassador Ri Pyong Du visited Belgrade and affirmed North Korean support for Serbia's territorial integrity.^[293]

In February 2008, a statement issued by Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry stated that Kyrgyzstan would not recognise Kosovo's independence and considered it a dangerous precedent for separatist organisations in the world.^[294][295]

On 27 February 2008, the Lao 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".^[296]

On 29 November 2018, Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil visited Belgrade and affirmed in a joint press conference with his Serbian counterpart, Ivica Dačić, that Lebanon supported "the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Serbia.^[297][298]

Following the August 2012 publication of a note verbale recognising Kosovo's independence, purportedly signed by acting President of Mali, Dioncounda Traoré,^[299] state run media in Mali issued a statement in which the Presidency of Mali denied recognising Kosovo and claimed that the document was a fabrication.^[300] Pacolli claimed that the Malian Army, who had recently seized control of the state in a coup d'état due to dissatisfaction over the government's handling of their own separatist uprising in Azawad, had intervened to reverse the recognition granted by the civilian president.^[301] On Pacolli's return to Mali to seek clarification on the issue, state leaders promised to reconfirm their recognition.^[302]

On 8 May 2008, Mauritian Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, Anand Neewoor, stated that the Government of Mauritius would not recognise Kosovo any time soon because of their concerns that it would have implications for their "fight to regain the Chagos Islands".^{[citation needed]} In June 2009, the Mauritian prime minister, Navin Ramgoolam reportedly called the US embassy in Port Louis to say that he had decided that Mauritius would recognise Kosovo, despite opposition from his foreign ministry.^{[citation needed]} However, the recognition did not take place.

On 19 February 2008, the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Mexico was closely paying attention to the situation as it develops in order to adopt, at an opportune moment, a position on the declaration of independence. The same statement called on all parties to agree peacefully, through dialogue, on the final status of Kosovo and to reach an agreement on the rights of minorities and the maintenance of peace and security in the Balkans.^[303] Mexican government officials have since then said that Mexico does not intend to recognise Kosovo.^[304]

Kosovo's declaration creates "deep concerns in the Republic of Moldova," the Moldovan government said in a February 2008 statement, and that Moldova would not recognise Kosovo's independence.^[305] In December 2013, Moldovan Defence Minister Vitalie Marinuta stated on a visit to Serbia that Moldova will not recognise Kosovo.^[306] In the lead up to the 2nd summit of the European Political Community which Moldova is to host on 1 June 2023, legislation has been progressed in the Moldovan parliament that if enacted will recognize Kosovar passports as valid travel documents allowing holders to apply for electronic visas to enter Moldova.^[307]

On 8 May 2009, Kosovo's president Fatmir Sejdiu met Nyamaa Enkhbold, the Mongolian Deputy Parliament Speaker, to request recognition of Kosovo by Mongolia. Enkhbold reportedly promised to deal with the request once he had returned home.^[308] In a 17 July 2012 meeting with Kosovo's deputy prime minister, Edita Tahiri, both the Mongolian president and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and Gombojav Zandanshatar, said that Mongolia would consider recognising the independence of Kosovo.^[309]

In June 2011, Moroccan government representatives explained that they had difficulty in recognising Kosovo due to the political context of Western Sahara.^[310]

In February 2008, Mozambican Deputy Foreign Minister Henrique Banze said in reference to Kosovo's declaration of independence, "We shall wait for the appropriate moment. 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".^[311] In September 2012, Mozambique's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Co-Operation, Oldemiro Julio Marques Baloi, said that his government would reconsider recognising Kosovo.^[312]

In January 2014, it was reported that Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent a note to officials in Kosovo informing them of that they had recognised Kosovo's independence. However, Pacolli and Hoxhaj quickly denied that they had received any such note.^[313]

In July 2009, Umaru Yar'Adua, President of Nigeria, said that Nigeria will not recognise Kosovo as an independent nation. He said the decision not to recognise Kosovo was informed by Nigeria's historical experience of the civil war of 1967 to 1970.^[316]

In April 2010, it was reported that the Paraguayan president had told Kosovan pilot James Berisha, who was on an awareness-raising journey around Central and South America, that Paraguay had already recognised Kosovo's independence but had not made this known so as not to jeopardise their relationship with Russia.^{[318][better source needed]}

In a November 2012 meeting with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Enver Hoxhaj, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, Rafael E. Seguis, pledged support for Kosovo, saying that his country has full understanding for the independence of Kosovo and that he would consider the request for recognition.^[321]

At a meeting in August 2011 with U.S. Representative, Eliot Engel, both St. Vincent & the Grenadines' Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ralph Gonsalves and Louis Straker, took on board the case for recognition of Kosovo and promised to review the issue.^[326]

In September 2014, Adam said that Seychelles would consider the recognition of Kosovo with utmost seriousness.^[337]

In September 2012, South Sudan's vice-president, Riek Machar Teny, invited Kosovo's prime minister, Hashim Thaçi, to South Sudan to discuss building bilateral relations between the two countries.^[339] During an October 2012 meeting with Pacolli, South Sudan's president Salva Kiir Mayardit stated his country's desire to maintain friendly relations with Kosovo. He reiterated the position that South Sudan supports the right of the citizens of Kosovo to build and consolidate their state.^[340] In September 2013 the Foreign Minister of South Sudan, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, confirmed that the recognition of Kosovo was a matter of time.^[341]

In April 2014, Benjamin said that positive news in regards to improving relations with Kosovo should be expected.^[342] In September 2014, Benjamin said that South Sudan was considering with seriousness the recognition of the independence and would follow all the procedures in order to do so.^[343]

On 2 March 2024, the Kosovo's president Vjosa Osmani met South Sudanese foreign minister James Pitia Morgan and discussed the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries.^[344] A statement from the South Sudanese foreign ministry referred to Osmani as the "President of the Republic of Kosovo" implying acknowledgement of the Republic of Kosovo as a state.^[345]

In February 2008, the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka called Kosovo's declaration of independence a violation of the UN Charter and emphasised 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".^[348]

In April 2012 a Syrian opposition delegation (Syrian National Council) led by Ammar Abdulhamid visited Pristina and promised to recognise Kosovo immediately if they triumph in Syria.^[352]

At a meeting on 25 March 2009 with Kosovo's Foreign Minister, Skënder Hyseni, the Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the UN, Maria Annette Valere, said that her country knows how important the process of international recognition is for Kosovo, and that the government of Trinidad and Tobago would address the request for recognition in the near future.^[354]

At a meeting in October 2012 with Albanian Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Edmond Panariti, the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Rafik Abdessalem, said that his government was seriously considering the issue of the recognition of Kosovo.^[355]

In February 2008, a senior Ugandan official said that the Ugandan government was carefully studying Kosovo's declaration of independence before it makes a decision to recognise it as a state or not.^[357][358]

On 30 July 2023, President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni visited Belgrade and was thanked by his Serbian counterpart for his support to Serbian territorial integrity.^[359]

On 27 September 2010, Uruguayan Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Conde, stated that Uruguay would never recognise the independence of Kosovo.^[363]

In February 2008, Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez announced that Venezuela did not recognise Kosovo's independence on the grounds that it has been achieved through United States pressure.^[254] On 24 March 2008, Chávez accused Washington of trying to "weaken Russia" by supporting independence for Kosovo. He called Kosovo's prime minister Hashim Thaçi, a "terrorist" put in power by the United States.^[365]

In a 23 February 2011 meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić, Vietnamese deputy prime minister, Pham Gia Khiem, reaffirmed Vietnam's position of supporting "Kosovo-related issues under the United Nations Security Council's decree to gain comprehensive measures in terms of respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and assuring the benefits of involved nations".^[367] In a 24 November 2011 meeting with Albanian deputy prime minister and Foreign Minister, Edmond Haxhinasto, Vietnam's Foreign Minister, Pham Binh Minh, said that Vietnam was following the developments in Kosovo, and that Serbia and Kosovo should continue the dialogue to find common ground that will be acceptable to both parties.^[368]

In March 2008, Zambian Foreign Minister, Kabinga Pande, said that Zambia had not decided its position on the declaration of Kosovo's independence. Pande said the government needed more time to analyse the matter.^[369] According to leaked US cables, Zambia did not want to take a position on Kosovo due to concerns with the precedent for the Lozi tribe, an ethnic group primarily inhabiting western Zambia, which had an active separatist movement for independence from Zambia.^{[citation needed]}

In February 2013, the then Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, said that he would consider recognising Kosovo.^[371]

The Council of Europe Development Bank's board of directors voted in favour of Kosovo's membership on 14 June 2013 during their meeting in Malta.^[400]
In June 2014, Kosovo became a member state of the Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe.^[401]

On 24 April 2023, the first phase of Kosovo's bid to join the Council of Europe was completed, when it was accepted by the Committee of Ministers with a two-thirds majority.^[402]