International recognition of Kosovo

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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
v t e

International governments are divided on the issue of recognition of the independence of Kosovo from Serbia, which was declared in 2008.^[1][2] The Government of Serbia does not diplomatically recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state,^[3] although the two countries have enjoyed normalised economic relations since 2020 and have agreed not to try to interfere with the other's accession to the European Union.

As of 4 September 2020^[update], 104 out of 193 (53.9%) United Nations member states, 22 out of 27 (81.5%) European Union member states, 28 out of 32 (87.5%) NATO member states, 4 out of 10 (40%) ASEAN member states, and 34 out of 57 (59.6%) Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states have recognised Kosovo.^[4] In total, Kosovo received 114 diplomatic recognitions by UN member states, however conflicts have arisen regarding the exact number of countries recognizing Kosovo. Among the G20 countries, eleven (including all seven G7 countries) have recognised Kosovo as an independent state: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Eight (including all five founding BRICS countries), however, have not: Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa.

In 2013, the two sides began to normalise relations in accordance with the Brussels Agreement. In September 2020, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to normalise economic ties.^[5][6] Serbia also agreed to suspend its efforts to encourage other states to either not recognise Kosovo or to revoke recognition for one year, while Kosovo agreed to not apply for new membership of international organisations for the same period.^[7] In February 2023, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to a proposed normalisation agreement in European Union mediated dialogue and through further negotiations accepted a roadmap and timescale for its implementation the following month. Under the terms of the agreement, Serbia committed to not oppose the membership of Kosovo in international organisations and recognised Kosovo's national symbols and official documents including passports, diplomas, vehicle registration plates, and customs stamps.^[8][9][10]