Kosovo-Serbia Negotiations Precipitate Recognition by Spain

Serbia and Kosovo agreed to normalize their economic ties in early September. (Wikimedia Commons)

Spain has reported that it will recognize Kosovo as a state if Kosovo and Serbia reach a mutual peace agreement in the coming weeks. The Spanish foreign ministry's statement on September 18 comes after EU talks resumed between Serbia and Kosovo. Serbia has not recognized Kosovo as a state since the latter declared independence in 2008.

Although many other EU member states have recognized Kosovo, Spain has not previously recognized Kosovo, partly for fear that it would embolden separatists in the Spanish region of Catalonia. Four other EU countries––Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Cyprus–– have also refused to recognize Kosovo, but it remains uncertain how they will respond to successful Serbia-Kosovo negotiations.

Kosovo and Serbia have a history of hostility. At the end of World War II, Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia, the largest republic in Yugoslavia. In 1990, Serbia eliminated Kosovo’s autonomy and abolished its government and parliament. A group called the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) formed in 1996 and killed several Serbians; the Serbian police retaliated and violence between the groups escalated, culminating in the Serbian police massacre of 45 ethnic Albanians in the 1999 Račak Massacre.

After this incident, NATO launched a 77-day air campaign against Serbia, resulting in Serbia vacating Kosovo. Kosovo became a self-governed territory under the UN until it officially declared its independence in 2008.

Although more than 100 countries have recognized Kosovo’s independence, Serbia and its allies, Russia and China, which are UN Security Council members, have refused to do so, which has  blocked Kosovo from joining the UN as an independent state.

However, Serbia and Kosovo took a step toward normalizing relations on September 4, when Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti signed an agreement mediated by President Donald Trump. The agreement was mainly economic, but Serbia did pledge to stop campaigning for international derecognition of Kosovo’s independence for a year. Kosovo President Hashim Thaci subsequently awarded President Trump the Order of Freedom, one of Kosovo’s highest honors, for “his exceptional contribution for the freedom of Kosovo and the strengthening of peace and reconciliation in the region.”

As part of the negotiations mediated by President Trump, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to establish embassies in Jerusalem. The United States and Guatemala are the only two countries with embassies in this city, while the other embassies in Israel are located in Tel Aviv. Both Israel and Palestine claim Jerusalem as their capital.

Both Kosovo and Serbia also strive to join the EU, and they met in Brussels on September 7 to continue political negotiations. Recognition by Spain and the other EU countries is important for their candidacy, so the successful establishment of diplomatic relations is a necessary step. However, their commitment to establishing embassies in Jerusalem could hurt their candidacies.

Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European Commission, said, “There is no EU member state with an embassy in Jerusalem. Any diplomatic steps that could call into question the EU’s common position on Jerusalem are a matter of concern and regret.” Talks between Serbia, Kosovo, and the EU will continue in order to determine the countries’ potential memberships.