Foreign relations of Kosovo


Foreign relations of Kosovo are accomplished by efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. Kosovo operates 24 embassies abroad and is host to 21 Embassies in Pristina. Kosovo has membership in several International Organisations.
On 17 February 2008, members of the Assembly of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia. This move was controversial among the international community. International supervision over the direction of the assembly ended in September 2012, and Kosovo became responsible for its own governance.
The Republic of Kosovo has been recognised by 93 UN member states, the Republic of China, the Cook Islands, and Niue. Serbia and other member states consider Kosovo as autonomous region of Serbia.
The current Foreign Minister of Kosovo is Behgjet Pacolli.

Status of diplomatic relations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo has initiated the process of establishing diplomatic relations with all states that have recognised Republic of Kosovo, either by opening new missions or through accreditation of non-resident ambassadors to these countries.
The Republic of Kosovo has established diplomatic relations with 91 countries:

CountryEstablishment
of
Diplomatic
Relations		Status of
Diplomatic
Mission
in Kosovo		Status of
Diplomatic
Mission
in the country		Notes
17. Jun. 2013
24. Jul. 2019
18. Feb. 2008EmbassyEmbassyAlbania–Kosovo relations
14. Sep. 2011
21. May. 2008EmbassyAustralia–Kosovo relations
20. Mar. 2008EmbassyEmbassyAustria–Kosovo relations
12. Mar. 2014
16. Feb. 2018Embassy
9. Mar. 2018
10. Apr. 2008Liaison officeEmbassyBelgium–Kosovo relations
30. Apr. 2016
20. Feb. 2017
27. May. 2008EmbassyEmbassyBulgaria–Kosovo relations
6. Dec. 2012
7. Apr. 2009Embassy
27. May. 2018
19. Feb. 2008
18. May. 2015
3. Mar. 2019Embassy
23. Sep. 2013
30. Jun. 2008EmbassyEmbassyCroatia–Kosovo relations
16. Jun. 2008EmbassyEmbassyCzech Republic–Kosovo relations
6. Mar. 2008Liaison officeDenmark–Kosovo relations
22. Mar. 2013
17. Oct. 2014
24. Apr. 2008Estonia–Kosovo relations
13. Feb. 2013
2. Feb. 2009EmbassyFinland–Kosovo relations
18. Feb. 2008EmbassyEmbassyFrance–Kosovo relations
5. Mar. 2014-
23. Sep. 2016
27. Feb. 2008EmbassyEmbassyGerman–Kosovan relations
4. Oct. 2012
20. Feb. 2020-
19. Jun. 2018
13. Jun. 2013
2. Dec. 2010
27. Jun. 2008EmbassyEmbassyHungary–Kosovo relations
15. May. 2012
11. Nov. 2008Ireland–Kosovo relations
15. May. 2008EmbassyEmbassyItaly–Kosovo relations
24. Aug. 2016
25. Feb. 2009Liaison office Embassy EmbassyJapan–Kosovo relations
5. Jun. 2013
16. Jan. 2013
11. Jun. 2008Kosovo–Latvia relations
27. May. 2018Embassy
14. May. 2014
28. Jun. 2012Kosovo–Liechtenstein relations
1. Sep. 2008Kosovo–Lithuania relations
16. Jun. 2011Embassy
20. Jul. 2016
23. Mar. 2011Kosovo–Malaysia relations
16. Apr. 2013Kosovo–Maldives relations
22. Sep. 2011
27. Oct. 2013
10. Feb. 2016
19. Sep. 2013
19. Mar. 2008
15. Jan. 2010EmbassyEmbassyKosovo–Montenegro relations
23. Apr. 2008
27. Jun. 2008EmbassyEmbassyKosovo–Netherlands relations
9. Nov. 2009
25. Jan. 2013
23. Jun. 2015
18. Oct. 2009EmbassyEmbassyKosovo–North Macedonia relations
2. Oct. 2008EmbassyKosovo–Norway relations
4. Feb. 2011
27. Jan. 2013Liaison officeKosovo-Pakistan relations
27. Aug. 2013Embassy
14. Nov. 2011EmbassyKosovo-Portugal relations
7. Jan. 2011Embassy
5. Mar. 2016
26. Mar. 2019
10. Mar. 2017
3. May. 2012
7. Aug. 2009EmbassyKosovo–Saudi Arabia relations
15. Feb. 2014Embassy
1. Dec. 2016Kosovo–Singapore relations
24. Nov. 2015
15. May. 2008EmbassyEmbassyKosovo–Slovenia relations
6. Jun. 2015
28. Mar. 2008EmbassyEmbassyKosovo–Sweden relations
28. Mar. 2008EmbassyEmbassyKosovo–Switzerland relations
2. Apr. 2014Embassy
22. Nov. 2013EmbassyKosovo–Thailand relations
21. Jul. 2014
18. Feb. 2008EmbassyEmbassyKosovo–Turkey relations
23. Mar. 2019
27. Apr. 2010EmbassyKosovo–United Arab Emirates relations
18 Feb. 2008EmbassyEmbassyKosovo–United Kingdom relations
18. Feb. 2008EmbassyEmbassyKosovo–United States relations
23. Sep. 2010

Membership in international organisations

, Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs during 2011–14 and 2016–17, stated in November 2013 that the country was considering making applications for membership in three United Nations specialized agencies in the first half of 2013, and that an application for membership of the Council of Europe in 2014 was being prepared. Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi reiterated the state's desire to join in December 2014. Kosovo is also preparing a membership application for the World Trade Organization. Joining NATO's Partnership for Peace is a priority of the government.
Hoxhaj said in 2014 that Kosovo's goal is to be a full UN member state by 2020 and a NATO member state by 2022.


Names used to represent Kosovo

Kosovo is represented under the name:
  • "Republic of Kosovo";
  • "Kosovo*",
depending on the particular international forum. A list is set out above. The name "Republic of Kosovo" is self-explanatory and is the preferred nomenclature of the Pristina Government. The name "Kosovo*" with an asterisk is used in other fora. Where this name is used, the asterisk is linked to a footnote which reads:
This "Kosovo*" designation was the outcome of an arrangement agreed to between Pristina and Belgrade in talks mediated by the European Union. This arrangement, which has been dubbed the "asterisk agreement" was agreed in an 11-point arrangement agreed on 24 February 2012.
"UNMIK" is an acronmym for the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, which has joined several organizations on behalf of Kosovo.

International treaties and conventions

Annotations