Recognition of Kosovo
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Khan Ferdousour Rahman
The permanent members of the UN Security Council as well as the world community are divided on the issue of the western-backed international recognition of Kosovo. Of the five members with veto power, three - the USA, UK and France, have recognised Kosovo's independence. But China has expressed concern, urging the continuation of previous negotiation framework. Russia has rejected the declaration and considers it illegal. On May 2008, Russia, China and India, in a joint statement, called for new negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina. The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)-member states are also split on the issue. In fact, the global recognition seems to be the new 'power game' between the US and its allies, on one hand, and Russia and China, on the other.
The Republic of Kosovo, which has 'de facto' control over the territory, represents its majority of population, but for some Serb enclaves. Serbia which does not recognise Kosovo, considers it an UN-governed entity within its territory.
The Assembly of Kosovo unanimously declared independence of Kosovo from Serbia as the Republic of Kosovo on February 17, 2008. Until now, 62 out of 192 sovereign UN member states which have recognised Kosovo, include Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the UAE and Turkey. A majority of member states of the EU -- 22 out of 27 -- and 24 out of 28 NATO states have recognized Kosovo. Of the four countries that have borders with Kosovo, only Serbia refuses to recognise it. Currently 14 countries maintain embassies in the Republic of Kosovo. The countries that oppose recognition of Kosovo consider that its recognition as an independent state in the Balkans will boost the ethnic demand for greater autonomy and independence.
Kosovo is landlocked by the Republic of Macedonia to the south, Albania to the west and Montenegro to the northwest. The largest city as well as the capital of Kosovo is Pristina. Kosovo, with a total area of 10,887 sq km, is a developing country with per capita income US$ 2,300. It was the poorest province of Yugoslavia. With around 2.0 million populations, 37.0 per cent are below the poverty line. Majority of the population are Albanian Muslims with few Serbian Orthodox and Roman Catholic. The literacy rate is over 90.0 per cent.
During ancient time, Kosovo formed the central part of the Kingdom of Dardania. Afterwards it became the part of Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian and Serbian empires. In 1389, Kosovo became the part of the Ottoman Empire, which brought the region into close contact with the Middle East and subsequently introduced Islam to the population. During the late 19th century, it was the centre of Albanian national awakening. In 1912, the Ottoman province was divided between Montenegro and Serbia, and both of which became part of Yugoslavia in 1918. During World War II, the majority of Kosovo was part of the Italian occupation of Albania before becoming an autonomous province under The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Following the armed conflicts in Kosovo (in early 1998 to 1999 between Yugoslav police forces, Yugoslav paramilitaries and the Kosovian Albanian paramilitaries; and NATO bombing on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999), the territory came under the interim administration of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in 1999, most of whose roles were assumed by the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) in December 2008.
Bangladesh is yet to recognise the independence of Kosovo, despite persistent diplomatic presentations by the USA. However, the people of Bangladesh are overwhelmingly in support of the people of Kosovo. From the very beginning of the formation of UNMIK, the members of Bangladesh Armed Forces and Bangladesh Police are participating in it. From 2000, Grameen Bank is operating microcredit in Kosovo.
Bangladesh has a constitutional obligation to support the declaration of the independence of Kosovo, in many ways, similar to Bangladesh. Recognising Kosovo will open the door of new opportunities for Bangladesh.
The writer can be contacted at:
ferdous3820@yahoo.co.uk
The permanent members of the UN Security Council as well as the world community are divided on the issue of the western-backed international recognition of Kosovo. Of the five members with veto power, three - the USA, UK and France, have recognised Kosovo's independence. But China has expressed concern, urging the continuation of previous negotiation framework. Russia has rejected the declaration and considers it illegal. On May 2008, Russia, China and India, in a joint statement, called for new negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina. The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)-member states are also split on the issue. In fact, the global recognition seems to be the new 'power game' between the US and its allies, on one hand, and Russia and China, on the other.
The Republic of Kosovo, which has 'de facto' control over the territory, represents its majority of population, but for some Serb enclaves. Serbia which does not recognise Kosovo, considers it an UN-governed entity within its territory.
The Assembly of Kosovo unanimously declared independence of Kosovo from Serbia as the Republic of Kosovo on February 17, 2008. Until now, 62 out of 192 sovereign UN member states which have recognised Kosovo, include Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the UAE and Turkey. A majority of member states of the EU -- 22 out of 27 -- and 24 out of 28 NATO states have recognized Kosovo. Of the four countries that have borders with Kosovo, only Serbia refuses to recognise it. Currently 14 countries maintain embassies in the Republic of Kosovo. The countries that oppose recognition of Kosovo consider that its recognition as an independent state in the Balkans will boost the ethnic demand for greater autonomy and independence.
Kosovo is landlocked by the Republic of Macedonia to the south, Albania to the west and Montenegro to the northwest. The largest city as well as the capital of Kosovo is Pristina. Kosovo, with a total area of 10,887 sq km, is a developing country with per capita income US$ 2,300. It was the poorest province of Yugoslavia. With around 2.0 million populations, 37.0 per cent are below the poverty line. Majority of the population are Albanian Muslims with few Serbian Orthodox and Roman Catholic. The literacy rate is over 90.0 per cent.
During ancient time, Kosovo formed the central part of the Kingdom of Dardania. Afterwards it became the part of Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian and Serbian empires. In 1389, Kosovo became the part of the Ottoman Empire, which brought the region into close contact with the Middle East and subsequently introduced Islam to the population. During the late 19th century, it was the centre of Albanian national awakening. In 1912, the Ottoman province was divided between Montenegro and Serbia, and both of which became part of Yugoslavia in 1918. During World War II, the majority of Kosovo was part of the Italian occupation of Albania before becoming an autonomous province under The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Following the armed conflicts in Kosovo (in early 1998 to 1999 between Yugoslav police forces, Yugoslav paramilitaries and the Kosovian Albanian paramilitaries; and NATO bombing on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999), the territory came under the interim administration of the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in 1999, most of whose roles were assumed by the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) in December 2008.
Bangladesh is yet to recognise the independence of Kosovo, despite persistent diplomatic presentations by the USA. However, the people of Bangladesh are overwhelmingly in support of the people of Kosovo. From the very beginning of the formation of UNMIK, the members of Bangladesh Armed Forces and Bangladesh Police are participating in it. From 2000, Grameen Bank is operating microcredit in Kosovo.
Bangladesh has a constitutional obligation to support the declaration of the independence of Kosovo, in many ways, similar to Bangladesh. Recognising Kosovo will open the door of new opportunities for Bangladesh.
The writer can be contacted at:
ferdous3820@yahoo.co.uk