Foreign relations of the Republic of Kosovo

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Kosovo
This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Kosovo

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On 17 February 2008, the Assembly of Kosovo, a body of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government under the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, unilaterally declared independece. This move was controversial among the international community. As of 4 May 2008 the Republic of Kosovo has been recognised by 43 states (Including Taiwan).

At present, seven countries maintain embassies in Pristina.

The government of the Republic of Kosovo has allocated one million Euros to establish a Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Skender Hyseni has been requested to be the Foreign Minister.^[1]

1 Relations with Albania
2 Relations with Arab Nations
3 Relations with Estonia
4 Relations with Israel
5 Relations with Luxembourg
6 Relations with Macedonia
7 Recognition
8 Diplomatic missions in Kosovo
9 Diplomatic missions of Kosovo
10 Membership in international organizations
11 See also
12 Notes and references

Relations with Albania

Albania has offered Kosovo a $3Billion pipeline deal from hydropower stations in Albania, so that Kosovo can stay powered as the New state has not been fully able to sort out its power supply since becoming independent. ^[2]

Relations with Arab Nations

Although none of the Arab countries have so far recognised Kosovo's Independence, Skender Hyseni met with ambassadors of Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in May 2008 in Vienna. Qatar and Saudi Arabia indicated they had begun the recognition process and Abdulrahman Al-Suahibani, Charge d'Affaires of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Vienna told Hyseni that he had been "instructed by his government to communicate to Kosovo’s Foreign Minister that Saudi Arabia will recognise Kosovo very soon".^[3]

Relations with Estonia

The Republic of Estonia and the Republic of Kosovo concluded diplomatic relations on April 24 in 2008. Estonia, having previously announced readiness to recognize Kosovo's independence, officially recognized Kosovo on February 21 in 2008.^[4]

Relations with Israel

The issue of Kosovo is sensitive to Israelis, many of whom are descendants of survivors of various ethnic cleansing campaigns, including the worst in modern history: the Holocaust. Israelis have aided Kosovo refugees in the past, including establishing the only hospital for miles on Macedonia's border. Many Israelis have rallied in support of the Kosovar cause.^[5] Jerusalem sent massive humanitarian aide to the besieged Kosovars during and after the 1998-1999 war with Slobodan Milosevic's regime. Jewish groups worldwide are also involved in aide to Kosovo's Muslim majority, and even helped to rebuild mosques damaged during the fighting. The Israeli government has delayed recognizing Kosovo and chooses to monitor developments in the region and international community before making a decision. Some concerns include the fact the secession is unilateral, and that recongition may have implications on the Palestinian (and Israeli Arab) issue—an analogy the Albanian ambassador in Israel rejects, citing major historical and political differences.^[6]^[7] Israel and Serbia also share increasingly close economic ties, and Serbia's ambassador in Israel claims he has been assured by Israeli officials that Israel will not recognize Kosovo.^[8] However, Israeli officials indicate that that recognition is probably just a matter of time considering Israel's closest closest ally (the United States) and other "influential friends" in Europe have recognized the new state.[1][2] Israel supports the Contact Group principles.^[7]

Relations with Luxembourg

Luxembourg has promised to give Kosovo €30million over the next five years. Luxembourg said that the money was mainly for focus on professional training for Pristina and Mitrovica North authorities.^[9]

Relations with Macedonia

The Republic of Macedonia has not yet recognised Kosovo due to upcoming elections in June 2008. The decision whether to recognise Kosovo or not has been frozen until after the elections. ^[10] However in the meantime, Skopje has said that the possibility exists that Kosovo may use its embassies abroad in the near future.^[11]

Recognition

Main article: international reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence

States which formally recognise Kosovo as an independent state

Diplomatic missions in Kosovo

Main article: List of diplomatic missions in Kosovo

Since the Republic of Kosovo declared independence, from Serbia on 17 February 2008, countries that have recognised the new state have opened embassies. Kosovo is currently host to nine embassies.

Diplomatic missions of Kosovo

Albania
- Tirana (Embassy) - To open ^[12]
European Union
- Brussels (Embassy) - To open ^[13]
USA
- Washington (Embassy) - To open ^[14]
- New York (Office)- To open^[15]

Membership in international organizations

Organisation	Application date	Admission date
Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA)¹	6 April 2006	26 July 2007^[16]
Energy Community South East Europe Treaty (ECSEE)¹		1 July 2006
European Common Aviation Area (ECAA)¹		30 November 2006
Free Trade Agreement with Albania¹		2003^[17]
International Sports Organisations
International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)		2003^[18]
International Handball Federation (IHF)		April 28, 2007 (Associated Federation)^[19]
International Football Federation (FIFA)	May 6, 2008