50-499: The Coordination Directorate for Kosovo and Metohija ( Serbian : Координациона управа за Косово и Метохију , romanized : Koordinaciona uprava za Kosovo i Metohiju ) is directorate of Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs and authority which is responsible for issuing Serbian passports to Serbian citizens residing in Kosovo . The European Union , while granting visa-free Schengen Area travel, urged Serbia to create
100-460: A general strike and mass unrest. Some of those who were not sacked quit in sympathy, refusing to work for the Serbian government. Although the sackings were widely seen as a purge of ethnic Albanians, the government maintained that it was removing former communist directors. Albanian educational curriculum textbooks were withdrawn and replaced by new ones. The curriculum was (and still is, as this
150-503: A 100 percent tax on importing Serbian goods. On 1 April 2020, Kosovo withdrew the tax. In September 2020, under an agreement brokered by the United States , Serbia and Kosovo agreed to normalise economic ties. 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
200-576: A partially recognised state. The Council of Europe Development Bank 's board of directors voted in favour of Kosovo's membership on 14 June 2013 during their meeting in Malta. In June 2014, Kosovo became a member state of the Venice Commission , an advisory body of the Council of Europe. On 24 April 2023, the first phase of Kosovo's bid to join the Council of Europe was completed, when it
250-558: 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. A number of states expressed concern over
300-563: A special authority for its Kosovo-residing citizens. This was deemed necessary as Serbia couldn't effectively verify the authenticity of documents needed for passport applications from this group. In 2009, Government of Serbia established the Coordination Directorate for Kosovo and Metohija. Serbian passports issued by the Coordination Directorate for Kosovo did not allow the holder to enter the Schengen Area without
350-401: A total of 18 countries had withdrawn their recognition: aside from the 10 listed above, Serbia also mentioned: Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Palau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Suriname. In some of those cases, Kosovo's foreign ministry has called it " fake news " and "Serbian propaganda". Several of these withdrawals have been disputed by Kosovo, whose foreign ministry continues to list
400-613: A visa, even for a stay of less than three months within half a year. Holders of these passports had to apply for visas to travel to the European Union in Pristina, Skopje or Tirana, not in Belgrade. The Council of the European Union removed visa requirements for holders of Serbian passports issued by the Serbian Coordination Directorate on 22 July 2024. The change takes effect 20 days after publication in
450-623: Is Dragan Velić . There is also a central governing body, the Serbian National Council for Kosovo and Metohija (SNV). The President of SNV in North Kosovo is Dr Milan Ivanović , while the head of its Executive Council is Rada Trajković . Local politics are dominated by the Serbian List for Kosovo and Metohija . The Serbian List was led by Oliver Ivanović , an engineer from Kosovska Mitrovica. In February 2007
500-646: Is internationally recognized by 104 UN members. While it is de facto independent from Serbia, Serbia still regards it as its province. In 1990, the Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo , an autonomous province of Serbia within Yugoslavia , had undergone the anti-bureaucratic revolution by Slobodan Milošević 's government which resulted in the reduction of its powers, effectively returning it to its constitutional status of 1971–74. The same year, its Albanian majority—as well as
550-546: Is an autonomous province that occupies the southernmost corner of Serbia , as defined by the country's constitution . The territory is the subject of an ongoing political and territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the partially recognised Republic of Kosovo , with the APKM being viewed as the de jure interpretation of the territory under Serbian law; however, the Serbian government currently does not control
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#1732772317000600-424: Is itself an act of recognition. Intergovernmental organisations do not themselves diplomatically recognise any state; their member states do so individually. However, depending on the intergovernmental organisation's rules of internal governance and the positions of their member states, they may express positive or negative opinions as to declarations of independence, or choose to offer or withhold membership to
650-580: Is the curriculum used for Albanians in Serbia outside Kosovo) identical to its Serbian counterpart and that of all other nationalities in Serbia except that it had education on and in the Albanian language. Education in Albanian was withdrawn in 1992 and re-established in 1994. At the University of Pristina , which was seen as a centre of Kosovo Albanian cultural identity, education in the Albanian language
700-820: The 2013 Brussels Agreement , it abolished all its institutions in the Autonomous Province. As of 4 September 2020 , Kosovo's independence is currently recognized by 104 UN member states. In 2013, the Serbian government announced it was dissolving the Serb minority assemblies it had created in northern Kosovo, in order to allow the integration of the Kosovo Serb minority into the general population of Kosovo. Constitutional changes were made in Yugoslavia in 1990. The parliaments of all Yugoslavian republics and provinces, which until then had MPs only from
750-832: The Insurgency in Kosovo which led to the Kosovo War in 1998 ending with the 1999 NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and establishment of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). In 2003, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was renamed the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro (Montenegro left the federation in 2006 and recognised Kosovo's independence in 2008). Since 1999,
800-700: The Kosovska Mitrovica municipality had rival Serbian and Albanian governments until a compromise was agreed in November 2002. The Serb areas have united into a community, the Union of Serbian Districts and District Units of Kosovo and Metohija established in February 2003 by Serbian delegates meeting in North Mitrovica , which has since served as the de facto "capital." The Union's president
850-490: The League of Communists of Yugoslavia , were dissolved and multi-party elections were held within them. Kosovar Albanians refused to participate in the elections so they held their own unsanctioned elections instead. As election laws required (and still require) turnout higher than 50%, a parliament in Kosovo could not be established. The new constitution abolished the individual provinces' official media, integrating them within
900-609: The Official Journal of the European Union , concluding a process that began with a European Commission proposal in November 2023. Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija The Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija ( Serbian : Косово и Метохиja , romanized : Kosovo i Metohija ; Albanian : Kosova dhe Metohia ), commonly known as Kosovo ( Serbian : Косово ; Albanian : Kosova ) and abbreviated to Kosmet (from Kos ovo and Met ohija ; Serbian : Космет ) or KiM ( Serbian : КиМ ),
950-458: The Republic of Albania —supported the proclamation of an independent Republic of Kosova . Following the end of the Kosovo War 1999, and as a result of NATO intervention , Serbia and the federal government no longer exercised de facto control over the territory. In February 2008, the Republic of Kosovo declared independence. While Serbia has not recognised Kosovo's independence, in
1000-481: The UN General Assembly adopted Serbia's resolution, with 77 votes in favor, 6 votes against and 74 abstentions. The court delivered its opinion on 22 July 2010; by a vote of 10 to 4, it declared that "the adoption of the declaration of independence of 17 February 2008 did not violate general international law because international law contains no 'prohibition on declarations of independence', nor did
1050-553: The Assembly declared it "null and void". Also, there was a Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija within the Serbian government, with Goran Bogdanović as Minister for Kosovo and Metohija. In 2012, that ministry was downgraded to the Office for Kosovo and Metohija , with Aleksandar Vulin as the head of the new office. However, in 2013, the post was raised to that of a Minister without portfolio in charge of Kosovo and Metohija. Under
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#17327723170001100-798: The EU has commissioned the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) to ensure peace and continued external oversight. Due to the dispute in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the reconfiguration of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and partial handover to the EULEX mission met with difficulties. In spite of Russian and Serbian protests, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon proceeded with
1150-763: The EU include Spain and Greece. The Spanish non-recognition of Kosovo is linked to the Spanish government's opposition to the Basque and Catalan independence movements , while the Greek non-recognition of Kosovo is linked to the Cyprus dispute and Greece's historic relationship to Serbia. Due to Serbian claims that Kosovo is part of its sovereign territory, its initial reactions included recalling ambassadors from countries that recognised Kosovo for several months, indicting Kosovar leaders on charges of high treason, and litigating
1200-715: The ICJ ruled that the declaration of independence of Kosovo did not violate international law "because international law contains no prohibition on declarations of independence", and that its authors were not bound by the Constitutional Framework (promulgated by UNMIK) or by UNSCR 1244 , that is addressed only to United Nations Member States and organs of the United Nations . Within the EU, key supporters of Kosovo's statehood include France and Germany. The strongest opponents to Kosovo's statehood within
1250-652: The Serb-inhabited areas of Kosovo have been governed as a de facto independent region from the Albanian-dominated government in Pristina . They continue to use Serbian national symbols and participate in Serbian national elections, which are boycotted in the rest of Kosovo; in turn, they boycott Kosovo's elections. The municipalities of Leposavić , Zvečan and Zubin Potok are run by local Serbs, while
1300-481: The Serbian system of administration, Kosovo is divided into five districts comprising 28 municipalities and 1 city. In 2000, UNMIK established a system with 7 districts and 30 municipalities . Serbia has not exercised effective control over Kosovo since 1999. For the UNMIK created districts of Kosovo, see Districts of Kosovo . International recognition of Kosovo International governments are divided on
1350-734: The UNSC gave the green light to the deployment of the EULEX mission in Kosovo. The EU mission is to assume police, justice, and customs duties from the UN, while operating under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (UNSCR 1244) that first placed Kosovo under UN administration in 1999. A United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution adopted on 8 October 2008 backed the request of Serbia to seek an International Court of Justice advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence . On 22 July 2010,
1400-708: The Union of Serbian Districts and District Units of Kosovo and Metohija has transformed into the Serbian Assembly of Kosovo and Metohija presided by Marko Jakšić. The Assembly strongly criticised the secessionist movements of the Albanian-dominated PISG Assembly of Kosovo and demanded unity of the Serb people in Kosovo, boycott of EULEX and announced massive protests in support of Serbia's sovereignty over Kosovo. On 18 February 2008, day after Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence,
1450-841: The adoption of the declaration of independence violate UN Security Council Resolution 1244 , since this did not describe Kosovo's final status, nor had the Security Council reserved for itself the decision on final status. According to a 2020 study, states which have stronger ties to the United States are more likely to recognise Kosovo, whereas states with stronger ties to Russia are less likely to recognise Kosovo. same day recognitions are sorted alphabetically by default Ten countries have recognised Kosovo at some point but later allegedly withdrew their recognition. These are: The Serbian Foreign Ministry claimed in March 2020 that
1500-659: The case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Serbia also expelled ambassadors from countries that recognised Kosovo after the UNGA vote adopting Serbia's initiative to seek an ICJ advisory opinion . In December 2012, as a result of European Union mediated negotiations on Kosovo's status , Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić agreed to appoint a liaison officer to Kosovo. In March 2013, Dačić said that while his government would never recognise Kosovo's independence, "the Serbian president cannot go to Kosovo, nor
1550-491: The claims, Kosovo diplomats met with diplomats from Eswatini, Gabon, Libya, the Maldives, Somalia and Antigua and Barbuda and stated that those countries had not derecognised Kosovo, refuting Vučić's claims. A spokesperson for the president of the Maldives refuted Serbian claims that the Maldives had de-recognised Kosovo, explicitly labeling Serbia's claims as "false". Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu also sent greetings to
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1600-440: The continuation of the previous negotiation framework. The Russian Federation (which has close ties with Serbia ) has rejected the declaration and considers it illegal, and does not recognize Kosovo's independence. In May 2008, Russia, China, and India released a joint statement calling for new negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina . Although EU member states individually decide whether to recognise Kosovo, by consensus
1650-608: 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,
1700-407: The following as countries that recognise the independence of Kosovo: On 4 January 2023, Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić claimed that nine new countries had withdrawn recognition: Antigua and Barbuda, Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Gabon, Guinea, Libya, Maldives, Saint Lucia, and Somalia. Kosovo's foreign ministry said they had no notification of any recognition withdrawals claimed by Vučić. Following
1750-404: The foreign policy of states in regards to another party. Not having issued such a statement does not necessarily mean the state has objections to the existence, independence, sovereignty or government of the other party. Some states, by custom or policy, do not extend formal recognitions, on the grounds that a vote for membership in the UN or another organisation whose membership is limited to states
1800-575: The head of Serbia's office for Kosovo, Petar Petkovic, announced that the Serbian Government has made a decision to enable the free movement of all vehicles with Kosovo plates into Serbian territory, starting from Jan. 1, 2024. On 27 March 2008, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić said Serbia would request the International Court of Justice to review the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence. On 8 October 2008,
1850-884: The issue of recognition of the independence of Kosovo from Serbia , which was declared in 2008. The Government of Serbia does not diplomatically recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state , 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 , 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 . In total, Kosovo received 114 diplomatic recognitions by UN member states, however conflicts have arisen regarding
1900-507: The official media of Serbia while still retaining some programs in the Albanian language . The Albanian-language media in Kosovo were suppressed. Funding was withdrawn from state-owned media, including those in the Albanian language in Kosovo. The constitution made the creation of privately owned media possible, however their operation was very difficult because of high rents and restrictive laws. State-owned Albanian language television or radio
1950-401: The president and prime minister of Kosovo on the occasion of Kosovo's independence day on 17 February 2024, confirming the continuation of diplomatic recognition. On 11 December 2023 Kosovo's president Vjosa Osmani met Abshir Omar Huruse , the foreign minister of Somalia, and the sides reaffirmed their bilateral relations. Diplomatic recognition is an explicit, official, unilateral act in
2000-478: The prime minister, nor ministers, nor the police or army. Serbs can only leave Kosovo. That's how much Kosovo is ours and what our constitution and laws mean there". In April 2013, Kosovo and Serbia reached an agreement to normalise relations, and thereby allow both nations to eventually join the European Union . On 17 June 2013 Kosovo and Serbia exchanged liaison officers. However, the process of normalisation stalled in November 2018, after which Kosovo imposed
2050-520: The reconfiguration plan. On 15 July 2008, he stated: "In the light of the fact that the Security Council is unable to provide guidance, I have instructed my Special Representative to move forward with the reconfiguration of UNMIK ... in order to adapt UNMIK to a changed reality." According to the Secretary-General, the "United Nations has maintained a position of strict neutrality on the question of Kosovo's status". On 26 November 2008,
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2100-536: The same period. 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. In December 2023,
2150-505: The territories because they are de facto administered by the Republic of Kosovo. Its claimed administrative capital and largest city is Pristina . The territory of the province, as recognised by Serbian laws, lies in the southern part of Serbia and covers the regions of Kosovo and Metohija . The capital of the province is Priština. The territory was previously an autonomous province of Serbia during Socialist Yugoslavia (1946–1990), and acquired its current status in 1990. The province
2200-454: The two communities. Albanian opposition to the sovereignty of Yugoslavia and especially Serbia had previously surfaced in rioting ( 1968 and March 1981 ) in the capital Pristina . Rugova initially advocated non-violent resistance, but later opposition took the form of separatist agitation by opposition political groups and armed action from 1995 by the " Kosovo Liberation Army " ( Ushtria Çlirimtare e Kosovës , or UÇK) whose activities led to
2250-518: The two sides began to normalise relations in accordance with the Brussels Agreement . In September 2020, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to normalise economic ties. 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. In February 2023, Serbia and Kosovo agreed to
2300-595: The unilateral character of Kosovo's declaration, or explicitly announced that they would not recognise an independent Kosovo. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) remains divided on this issue: of its five members with veto power , three (France, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have recognised the declaration of independence, while the People's Republic of China has expressed concern, urging
2350-416: Was abolished and Albanian teachers were also dismissed in large numbers. Albanians responded by boycotting state schools and setting up an unofficial parallel system of Albanian-language education. Kosovo Albanians were outraged by what they saw as an attack on their rights. Following mass rioting and unrest from Albanians as well as outbreaks of inter-communal violence, in February 1990, a state of emergency
2400-623: Was also banned from broadcasting from Kosovo. However, privately owned Albanian media outlets appeared; of these, probably the most famous is "Koha Ditore", which was allowed to operate until late 1998 when it was closed after publishing a calendar glorifying ethnic Albanian separatists. The constitution also transferred control over state-owned companies to the Yugoslav central government. In September 1990, up to 123,000 Albanian workers were dismissed from their positions in government and media, as were teachers, doctors, and civil servants, provoking
2450-541: Was declared and the presence of the Yugoslav Army and police was significantly increased to quell the unrest. Unsanctioned elections were held in 1992, which overwhelmingly elected Ibrahim Rugova as "president" of a self-declared Republic of Kosova ; Serb authorities rejected the election results, and tried to capture and prosecute those who had voted. In 1995, thousands of Serb refugees from Croatia were settled in Kosovo, which further worsened relations between
2500-530: Was governed as part of Serbia until the Kosovo War (1998–99), when it became a United Nations (UN) protectorate in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 , but still internationally recognized as part of Serbia. The control was then transferred to the UN administration of UNMIK . On 17 February 2008, representatives of the people of Kosovo ( Albanian : Udhëheqësit e popullit tonë, të zgjedhur në mënyrë demokratike ) unilaterally and extra-institutionally declared Kosovo's independence, which
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