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| Countries recognizing the Republic of Kosovo in green, with the two most recent additions highlighted. Disputed recognitions in yellow. Kosovo in magenta. Map by Evan Centanni, modified from public domain graphic (source). |
 Country Name: • Kosovo (English, Serbian) • Kosova (Albanian) Official Name: • Republic of Kosovo (English) • Republika e Kosovës (Albanian) • Republika Kosovo (Serbian) Capital: Pristina/Prishtina |
By Evan Centanni
New Kosovo Recognitions: Pakistan & Guyana
The self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo has reportedly been diplomatically recognized by two more U.N. member countries since our last Kosovo report. The government of the small state in southeastern Europe now claims recognition from 99 U.N. member countries, or about 51% of the world body (there are currently 193 sovereign states in the U.N.).
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan in South Asia extended diplomatic recognition to Kosovo on December 24, in a move confirmed by Pakistan’s foreign ministry. Then last month, Kosovo was also recognized by the Caribbean country of Guyana in South America, according to Kosovo’s foreign ministry (though this has not yet been confirmed by independent sources).
The Republic of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but has been blocked from U.N. membership by objections from Serbia, Russia, and other countries which see its secession as invalid. In addition to the 99 U.N. members from whom Kosovo claims recognition, its independence is also acknowledged by one non-U.N. member, Taiwan. For more on Kosovo’s special situation, see our first Kosovo recognition report, which also includes a map of Kosovo’s location relative to Serbia.
Disputed Recognitions
Like Kosovo itself, the list of countries recognizing the Republic of Kosovo is subject to some controversy. Some opponents of independence have cast suspicion on the self-declared republic’s claims of international recognition, which are sometimes not confirmed by sources outside Kosovo’s government. And they may be on to something: recognition by Nigeria, Uganda, and São Tomé and Príncipe, three countries located in Africa, is currently subject to dispute. Political Geography Now will be following this issue closely in future, and keeping our readers as informed as possible.
Stay Up to Date: Check for further updates to this story by viewing all Kosovo articles on Political Geography Now.
Okay, I suppose I can understand Pakistan's recognition due to cultural affinity. Better to recognize nominally Muslim Kosovo over nominally Christian Serbia.
But what's the deal with Guyana? Why now?
It also seems odd that all the half-countries don't recognize Kosovo. I thought all the Western Sahara/SouthOssetia/Transnistra-type places recognized each other so that they would be reciprocally recognized themselves. Other than Taiwan, it doesn't look like that is happening.
I'm not sure about the reason for Guyana's recognition, but according to this analysis blog, most recognitions last year were secured through either Turkish or U.S. diplomacy, so perhaps one or the other of those is at work here too (maybe the U.S. is more likely in this case).
As for other unrecognized or partially recognized countries, I wouldn't say they consistently all recognize each other. For some, this may just not be a priority. But it's also important to note that Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Transnistria have close ties to Russia, which opposes Kosovo's independence (in solidarity with its ally Serbia, and perhaps as a direct affront to U.S. influence in its backyard). Compare to how the U.S. sides with Georgia in rejecting the independence of Russian-backed Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
Matched with US territory sphere of influence minus country with big separatism problems (Espana)
Yep, good observation! There are exceptions of course, but that seems to be the most obvious pattern.