Membership of Kosovo in international organizations
Since Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia (enacted on 17 February 2008), international recognition of Kosovo has been mixed, and the international community continues to be divided on the issue. The Republic of Kosovo is member of some international intergovernmental and international non-governmental organisations.
Membership in international intergovernmental organizations
The Republic of Kosovo, as an independent state, is a member of 10 and an observer of 1 international intergovernmental organizations. The Republic of Kosovo has formally applied for membership in 4 more international intergovernmental organizations.
Kosovo, under the designation United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), or Kosovo*, is a member of 6 and an observer of 1 international intergovernmental organizations.
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 a partially recognised state.
International Organisation | Political Entity Represented | Application date | Admission date | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) | UNMIK | Observer[1] | ||
South East Europe Transport Observatory (SEETO) | Kosovo* and UNMIK[2][3] | 11 June 2004[4] | Member | |
Energy Community | Kosovo*[5][6] | 1 July 2006 | Member | |
European Common Aviation Area (ECAA) | UNMIK | 30 November 2006 | Member | |
Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) | UNMIK | 6 April 2006 | 26 July 2007[7] | Member |
After the Declaration of the Independence | ||||
International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Republic of Kosovo | 10 July 2008[8] | 29 June 2009[9] | Member |
World Bank (WB) | Republic of Kosovo | 10 July 2008[10] | 29 June 2009[11] | Member |
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD) | Republic of Kosovo[12] | 2010 or 2009[13] | 17 December 2012[14] | Member |
Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)[15] | Kosovo*[16][17][18] | 23 February 2013[19] | Member[20] | |
Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) | Republic of Kosovo | 14 June 2013[21] | Member | |
Council of Bureaux (CoBx) | Republic of Kosovo | 2011[22] | Applicant | |
Adriatic Charter | Republic of Kosovo | 29 March 2012[23] | Applicant | |
NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) | Republic of Kosovo | July 2012[24] | Applicant | |
Council of Europe Venice Commission | Republic of Kosovo | 13 June 2014[25] | Member | |
Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) | Republic of Kosovo[26] | 29 November 2014[27] | Observer | |
South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) | Kosovo*[28] | 23 May 2015[29] | Member | |
Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units | Republic of Kosovo | 1 February 2017[30] | Member | |
World Customs Organization (WCO) | Republic of Kosovo | 3 March 2017[31] | Member | |
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) | Republic of Kosovo | 6 November 2015[32] | 5 January 2016[33][34] | Member |
European Qualifications Framework Advisory Group (EQF) | Republic of Kosovo | 18 December 2015[35][36][37] | Member | |
International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) | Republic of Kosovo | April 2015[38] | Applicant | |
International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) | Republic of Kosovo | 21 February 2017[39] | Member | |
Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) | Republic of Kosovo | 18 March 2017[40] | Member | |
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) (Observer status) | Republic of Kosovo | 5 May 2018 [41][42] | Applicant | |
Assemblée parlementaire de la francophonie (APF) | Republic of Kosovo | 9 July 2018 [43][44] | Observer | |
Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) (Associate status) | Republic of Kosovo | 9 October 2018 [45] | 11 october 2018[46] | Associate |
Membership in international non-governmental organisations
International organisation | Position | Admission date | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Association of Central and Eastern European Election Officials (ACEEEO) | On 23 September 2016, the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kosovo became member of ACEEEO.[47][48] | 23 September 2016 | Member |
International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) | Kosovo Amateur Radio Association (Shoqata e Radio Amatoreve te Kosovës; SHRAK) was proposed for IARU membership in 2014. SHRAK joined to the IARU on 11 December 2015.[49] | 11 December 2015 | Member |
International Road and Transport Union (IRU) | Kosovo's road transport association[50][51] become member of IRU on 29 July 2008.[52] Kosovo officially became the 181st member of the IRU in May 2009.[53] | 29 July 2008 | Member |
Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) | UNPO issued a statement on 18 February 2008: "for regions in similar conditions, Kosova's independence represents new hope for the future of their own potential statehood".[54] In the days that followed, several African UNPO members expressed their own individual secession-minded reactions to Kosovo's independence.[55] Kosovo is represented in the UNPO by the Democratic League of Kosova. |
6 August 1991 | Member |
International Bar Association (IBA) | Kosovo officially became a member of the IBA on 28 May 2009.[56][57] | 28 May 2009 | Member |
International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (ICPEN) | Kosovo officially became a member of the ICPEN in April 2016.[58][59] | April 2016 | Member |
European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) | Association of Journalists of Kosovo officially became a member of the EFJ on 1 January 2016.[60] | 1 January 2016 | Member |
European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) | Kosovo Psychiatrists Association is a full member of EFPT. | Member |
International conventions, treaties, and agreements
Conventions, Treaties and Agreements | Note | Signed |
---|---|---|
Stabilisation and Association Process (SAA) | SAA negotiations start on 28 October 2013. Kosovo's SAA was the first signed after the entry into force of the Lisbon treaty, which conferred a legal personality to the EU. As a result, unlike previous SAAs Kosovo's is exclusively between it and the EU and Euratom, and the member states are not parties independently. SAA entry into force on 1 April 2016. | Yes |
Apostille Convention | On 8 November 2016, the Republic of Kosovo has received a formal confirmation on the acceptance of deposition of acts o admission to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legislation for Foreign Public Documents, or known also as Apostille Convention. In accordance with Article 12 of it, Apostille Convention, it is expected to enter into force on 14 June 2016.[61][62] | Yes |
Future membership applications
In 2012, according to the Mena Report Kosovo has applied to become a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), but the government of Kosovo neither confirm nor deny this news.[63] Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, Secretary-General of the OIC inived Kosovo to become a full member of the OIC.
In 2013, Enver Hoxhaj, Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has stated that the country is considering making applications for membership in three United Nations specialized agencies in the first half of 2013,[64] and that an application for membership of the Council of Europe in 2014 is being prepared.[65]
In 2014, Kosovo's Deputy Prime and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hashim Thaçi, reiterated the state's desire to join in December 2014.[66] Kosovo's Foreign Minister Hoxhaj has said that Kosovo's goal is to be a full UN member state by 2020 and NATO member state by 2022.[67][68]
In 2015, Kosovo's Ministry of Trade and Industry is also preparing a membership application for the World Trade Organization.[69] Joining NATO's Partnership for Peace is a priority of the government.[70]
In 2016, Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ditimir Bushati, said that Kosovo will be member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Adriatic Charter.[71][72]
In February 2017, Kosovo's President, Hashim Thaçi, said that Kosovo will apply for membership in the Council of Europe and UNESCO in 2017.[73]
Unsuccessful application
International organisation | Note | Application date |
---|---|---|
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) | In July 2015, Kosovo applied for membership in UNESCO.
UNESCO Executive Board members have voted in favor of the Albanian initiative to recommend Kosovo to be allowed to join UNESCO, 27 members voted in favor, 14 voted against, and 14 abstained. On 9 November 2015, UNESCO General Assembly voted Kosovo application. 142 members voted on the proposal: 92 in favor, 50 against, while 29 abstained. Kosovo's bid required 95 votes (2/3 of votes) in favor to be successful.[74] |
July 2015 |
See also
References
- SECI observers Archived 2012-04-14 at the Wayback Machine
- Before 2013 only the UNMIK.
- "SEETO Participants". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- "SEETO – South-east Europe Transport Observatory". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- Before April 2013 membership was assigned to the UNMIK.
- "Parties". Archived from the original on 30 May 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- "Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) initialled" (PDF) (Press release). UNMIK – DSRSG Office for News and Communication. 2006-11-10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-27. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
- "Statement on Membership of the Republic of Kosovo in the IMF" (Press release). International Monetary Fund. 2008-07-15. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
On July 10, 2008, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) received an application for admission to membership in the IMF from the Republic of Kosovo.
- "Kosovo Becomes the International Monetary Fund's 186th Member" (Press release). International Monetary Fund. 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
The Republic of Kosovo became the 186th member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today when President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi signed the IMF’s original Articles of Agreement at a ceremony in Washington D.C.
- "Kosovo Application for Membership in World Bank" (Press release). World Bank. 2008-07-15. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
In the letter dated July 10, 2008, Kosovo applied for membership in the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
- "Kosovo Joins World Bank Group Institutions" (Press release). World Bank. 2009-06-29. Archived from the original on 2015-05-20. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
The Republic of Kosovo became the newest member of the five World Bank Group institutions today, when Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi signed the Articles of Agreement of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
- Kosovo joins EBRD: "...majority decision to include the Republic of Kosovo as member.", Estonia MFA
- "Row heats up over Kosovo EBRD bid". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- EBRD – Our shareholders
- Formerly the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe
- Before 28 February 2013 membership was assigned to the UNMIK.
- "Hoxhaj: Anëtarësimi në RCC, historik për Kosovën". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- "Regional Cooperation Council – News archive". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- "Hoxhaj: Anëtarësimi në RCC, historik për Kosovën". MFA of Kosovo.
- "Regional Cooperation Council – Structure". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- "The Republic of Kosovo is accepted as newest member of Council of Europe Development Bank". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ECE/TRANS/SC.1/2012/1 – (CoB) Report from the President
- Ministri i FSK-së Agim Ҫeku kërkoi antarsimin në “Karta e Adriatikut” Archived 2017-08-13 at the Wayback Machine, Ministry for Kosovo Security Force, 2012-03-29 (in Albanian): "KSF Minister Agim Ҫeku sought membership in the "Adriatic Charter" ... presented reasonable and reasoned request for membership of the Republic of Kosovo ... Next Conference of Ministers of Defense is expected to take place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where it is expected that the Republic of Kosovo is a member with full rights."
- "Kosovo seeks to join international organisations". Turkish Weekly. 2012-07-19. Archived from the original on 2012-07-25. Retrieved 2012-07-19.
- "Kosovo becomes 60th member of Venice Commission of Council of Europe". Voice of Russia. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- "Kosovo Profile". francophonie.org. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- "Le Mexique, le Costa Rica et le Kosovo membres observateurs". francophonie.org. 29 November 2014. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- "Second Plenary Session of SEECP PA, 22–23 May 2015". rspcsee.org. 27 May 2015.
- "Kosovo becomes South-East Coop. Process member". videonews.us. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
- "NJËSIA PËR INTELIGJENCË FINANCIARE BËHET ANËTARE E EGMONT GROUP". Radio Television of Kosovo. 2017-01-02. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
- Kosova anëtarësohet në Organizatën Botërore të Doganave, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, 2017-03-04 (in Albanian)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-10-15. Retrieved 2017-03-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Kosovo towards accession to the Apostille Convention and to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo
- Kosova anëtarësohet në Gjykatën e Përhershme të Arbitrazhit, TRT in Albanian 2016-06-15
- "Group Details - Commission Expert Group". Europa.eu.
- "Kosova pranohet në Kornizën Evropiane të Kualifikimeve". Telegrafi.com. Retrieved 2015-12-18.
- "REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO ACCEPTED AS A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY GROUP OF THE EUROPEAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (EQF)".
- KOSOVA NË PRITJE TË KRITEREVE TË REJA PËR ANËTARËSIM NË INTERPOL Archived 2017-03-05 at the Wayback Machine, TV Shenja
- "Kosovo becomes a member of the International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies". Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of Kosovo. Retrieved 2017-02-21.
- Kosovo joins the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo, 2016-03-18
- "Behgjet Pacolli🇽🇰 on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
- "Lobimi për njohjen e mëtejshme të Kosovës, anëtarësimi në Interpol, aplikimi për statusin e vendit vëzhgues në OBI do të jenë tre objektivat e pjesëmarrjes së delegacionit kosovar të nivelit të lartë". Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
- "Kosova vazhdon ta fuqizojë subjektivitetin ndërkombëtar, anëtarësohet në Asamblenë Parlamentare të Frankofonisë". Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
- "Kosovo". Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF) (in French). Retrieved 2018-07-13.
- "Lajm single - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo". www.mfa-ks.net. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
- "Lajm single - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Kosovo". www.mfa-ks.net. Retrieved 2018-10-11.
- Kosova anëtarësohet në ACEEEO. Loboi edhe KQZ, Gazeta Shqip, 2016-09-23 (in Albanian)
- Members, Association of European Election Officials (ACEEEO)
- "Kosovo Amateur Radio Association SHRAK Joins International Amateur Radio Union" (Press release). ARRL. 2015-12-11. Retrieved 2015-12-22.
- "IRU – IRU Membership". Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- Kosovo Chamber of Commerce is a non for profit, independent organization with no political affiliation. Archived 2010-01-14 at the Wayback Machine
- "IRU welcomes Kosovo to IRU family". IRU. 2008. Archived from the original on 2010-07-29. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
- Kosovo becomes member of International Road Transport Union Archived 2012-03-18 at the Wayback Machine, New Kosova Report, 2009-05-04
- Kosova's Independence Sets Precedent, UNPO, 2008-02-18
- Africa: Kosovo Revives Hopes for Secession, allAfrica.com, 2008-02-26
- Republic of Kosovo becomes member of IBA Archived 2012-03-18 at the Wayback Machine, New Kosova Report, 2009-05-29
- Organizations that have admitted Kosovo Archived 2012-03-23 at the Wayback Machine, Kosovo Thanks You
- "Participants". Archived from the original on 2010-03-15.
- "Kosova anëtarsohet në Rrjetin e Mbrojtjes Ndërkombëtare të Konsumatorit".
- "Asociacioni i Gazetarëve të Kosovës (AGK) – Association of Journalists of Kosovo".
- Kosovo towards accession to the Apostille Convention and to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo
- Kosovo joins the Hague Apostille Convention, HCCH, 2016-11-06
- "Kosova aplikon për anëtarësim në Organizatën e Bashkëpunimit Islamik". Telegrafi.com. Retrieved 2012-06-19.
- "Hoxhaj: 2013, vit i suksesshëm i politikës së jashtme". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 2013-11-20. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
- "Hoxhaj: Kosova e gatshme për aplikim kredibil në Këshillin e Evropës". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 2014-01-15. Retrieved 2014-01-19.
- "Zëvendëskryeministri i parë dhe Ministri i Jashtëm Thaçi u takua me Sekretarin e Përgjithshëm të Këshillit të Evropës, Jagland". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
- "Hoxhaj në Pejë, Kosova në OKB deri më 2020 (Video)". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 2014-05-15. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
- "Hoxhaj në Mitrovicë, Kosova anëtarësohet në NATO para 2022". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo. 2014-05-16. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
- "Kosovo Ministry of Trade to apply to WTO". 2015-03-13. Archived from the original on 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2015-03-23.
- Thaçi, Hashim. "Prioritetet e reja të Politikës së Jashtme të Kosovës". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo.
- http://www.kosovapress.com/sq/lajme/bushati-kosova-te-kete-nje-vend-ne-keshillin-e-perhershem-te-osbe-se-91687/
- http://indeksonline.net/lajmet/bushati-kosova-te-anetaresohet-ne-karten-e-adriatikut-396-19467/
- "KOSOVO TO APPLY FOR UNESCO, COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEMBERSHIP".
- "Tenth plenary meeting of the 38th session of the General Conference, Page 14" (PDF). UNESCO.org. Retrieved 2015-11-09.